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CHUM KIL: Wing Chun Kung Fu’s Second Form

Traditional Wing Chun’s
Chum Kil Form
"Bridging the Gap"
By Si Fu Robert Shores student of Grandmaster William Cheung

Chum Kil form is considered the second form of Wing Chun kung-fu. Although in Traditional Wing Chun we also learn an advanced version of Shil Lim Tao it is considered an extension of Shil Lim Tao and therefor not acknowledged as the second form. Chum Kil has this distinction in most systems of Wing Chun. Chum Kil translates to "search for the bridge" or "bridging the gap". In Shil Lim Tao the stance is trained in a static posture by maintaining the neutral stance throughout the form also developing power through the stance while training the proper positioning of the arm movements for hand technique.

Chum Kil follows the natural progression and teaches the student the proper use of footwork coordinated with more advanced use of the hand technique learned in Shil Lim Tao. Chum Kil introduces the practitioner to the neutral side stance, the forward stance, and the parallel side step, the T-step and further use of the circle step trained in Shil Lim Tao.

Through the use of the footwork in Chum Kil the student learns to avoid direct confrontation with an opponents force. This is an extremely important element of Wing Chun training, and one of the basic principles of the system. Opposing force directly only works if you are bigger and stronger than your opponent is, however there is always someone bigger and stronger. Another consideration is the natural weakening of the body through the aging process, which leads the thinking man to search out a better way than fighting force with force. Wing Chun is a thinking man's art! What better way to learn to avoid force than a method developed by a woman?

In Chum Kil form the student learns to apply the hand techniques of Shil Lim Tao for self defense application through specific techniques contained in the form. The student also learns a variety of kicks and their application in various combinations. There are three variations of the front kick used in Chum Kil; as well a low side kick. These kicking techniques are used in combination with the footwork and hand techniques, and are amazingly efficient and reliable.

The correct posture trained in Shil Lim Tao is carried on in Chum Kil providing better balance for the execution of technique when transitioning from one movement to the next. The proper hand positions learned in Shil Lim Tao are applied in Chum Kil providing greater safety while executing the kicking techniques of the Chum Kil form.

The commencement of Chum Kil form is exactly the same as Shil Lim Tao, through the opening description of the central line and the Wing Chun punch. It is at this point that the characteristic differences between Shil Lim Tao and Chum Kil are readily apparent. In Shil Lim Tao students learn double Bil Jee horizontally. The first section of Chum Kil begins with double Bil Jee's applied vertically, followed by three Bon Sao's (beginning with the left) applied in alternating neutral side stances.

After the third Bon Sao the left Bon Sao rotates (Huen Sao) to Jut Sao and left front kick stepping down in a front stance and executing an arm break three times alternating between left and right Jut Sao's and upward palm strikes. This is followed by a combination of Jut Sao and palm strike to the head executed three times. Generally in a combat situation the practitioner will employ either the arm break or the palm strike. The next movement is a left Tsuen Sao (threading hand) while stepping back to a neutral side stance. Followed by a side step to a left T-Stance and Lop Sao (grabbing hand). From this position a left front kick is delivered with the heel to the floating ribs. This is an excellent technique, which can be used equally well against straight or round punches.

After the heel kick the foot is retracted back to the T-step position. Then the right foot steps out to a left neutral side stance as Bon Sao is executed. From the Bon Sao the practitioner switches to a right neutral side stance while executing Lop Sao with the left hand. These movements are repeated twice more switching back to a left neutral side stance and Bon Sao to a right neutral side stance and Lop Sao. This technique is used to maneuver from the Open-side to the Blind-side. On the third exchange the right foot circle's forward to a front stance as a right straight punch is delivered. Now the right foot circles back to a neutral stance as the practitioner looks to the right and delivers a right Fut Sao (swinging arm block). This is followed by a right Jut Sao back to the center, a right Wu Jeung (palm strike), and a locked elbow Lao Sao (slipping hand), before closing the fist and returning to the neutral Palm up starting position. Then the entire process is repeated on the right side completing the first section of Chum Kil form.

The second section of Chum Kil begins with a right side step with the left foot and left Tsuen Sao to a right T-stance and left Lop Sao followed by a right front kick with the whole foot. (This technique is different from the Lop Sao and kick in the first section. In the first section the Lop and kick were on the same side or parallel. In this sequence they are opposite or cross.)

After the kick the foot is returned to it's starting position as the hands prepare for Bon Sao. A right Bon Sao is executed while stepping to a right neutral side stance. Now the technique is repeated again twice while executing two half-side steps to the left. After the third Bon Sao the right foot is brought to the left as the Bon Sao hand rotates to Tan Sao. A left Pak Sao is executed while the right foot steps forward at a 45 degree angle followed by a right low palm strike (These movements are the same as the Bon Sao sequence of Shil Lim Tao with the added use of footwork and the other hand.). Now the right foot is drawn back to the left as the practitioner looks to the right and prepares to deliver a right Fut Sao while circle stepping back to a neutral stance and executing the Fut Sao. Next the left foot is brought to the right and circles back to the neutral stance while executing a right Jut Sao back to the center. A left reverse palm strike (Wu Jeung) is delivered as the right hand is drawn back to the starting position. The left hand is lifted palm up and Huen Sao is performed before closing the fist and drawing it back to the starting position. This entire sequence is repeated on the other side completing the second section of the form.

The third section of Chum Kil begins with a side step with the right foot to a left T-stance while executing a left Bil Sao bridging to position for a left front kick with the whole foot to the chest. After the foot is retracted, without setting the foot down, the knee remains high preparing for a sidekick to the knee with the heel while shielding with Bon Sao. Now the left foot is brought back to its T-stance position. The practitioner steps to the right with the right foot into a left neutral side stance while executing a low left Bon Sao. The left low Bon Sao is repeated twice more each time in conjunction with a half side step to the right. After the third low Bon Sao the left hand turns palm up as the practitioner transfers weight to the right foot and brings the left foot up to the right (This maneuvers the practitioner outside the opponents arm to the blind side.).

At this point the right hand is over the left. The hands exchange position in a clockwise rotation as the left foot circles to a left front stance to execute Po Pai Jeung (double palm strike) delivering a left palm strike just ahead of the right reverse palm strike. Both hands raise up to the palm up position executing simultaneous Huen Sao's, closing the fists and bringing them back to the high tucked back position. Now the left circles back to the starting position then the weight is transferred to the left foot and the right foot circles back to a neutral stance completing the third section of the form.

The last set begins by turning to a left neutral side stance and executing a left Gum Sao while the right hand is held in the high tucked back position. Now the movement is repeated on the right side only this time the rear hand is drawn back to Wu Sao position. The movement is repeated once again on the left followed by three punches in a left, right left succession. Both hands are opened palms up followed double Huen Sao's. The fists are closed and drawn back to the high tucked position. The weight is transferred to the right foot as the left foot is brought to the right. The palms are opened and turned palm down, pressing downward as the legs straighten, completing the Chum Kil form.

In closing I want to say that I have studied a variety of styles of martial art in my life, one thing I have noticed about many styles is the variance between how a form is performed and how they fight. In Wing Chun, I was pleased to see consistency throughout the art. The style of movement is exactly the same when practicing form, fighting technique, sparring or engaging in actual combat. This alone is a strong argument for anyone to consider the study of Wing Chun. To learn more about Chum Kil form I suggest reading Grandmaster Cheung's Book, Advanced Wing Chun, and visit a Wing Chun school near you.