Flag Punches

Hey everyone, today I would like to talk about the concept of "Flag Punches", introduced in the section of Chum Kil. Like all methods in Wing Chun, it is a concept, not a fixed technique.
This concept of Flag Punches is represented by an Upper Cut like a punch in the second section of the form.

The term "Flag Punches" in Chinese Gung Fu means, the ability to strike with the fist from any angle where ever the hand might be, WITHOUT pulling the hand back. This introduces the concept of delivering short power from any direction. For example, if the hand was extended in front of you and the opponent dodges to the left, instead of pulling the hand back, you would just attack with your EXTENDED arm horizontally to the target. This makes the move a lot more direct, just like a blade. The challenge is, how to deliver such a short strike with enough power?

There are ways to deliver lateral, vertical, and horizontal short power. It is by relying on the correct "Juen MA" or turning stance with a very relaxed arm, so relax like a flag blowing in the wind and hence the name flag punches in Gung Fu. The idea of generating force with the turning stance is also just a concept, in reality, it is the study of the timing and the usage of all the body's joints in the proper sequence in a very small time frame.

Even though this concept is considered advanced for empty hand Gung Fu systems, it is an elementary concept in most blade /sword arts around the world. Therefore, this idea learned in Chum Kil will repeat itself when we start to learn the Wing Chun Knives and the Baam Jarm Do Form. Basically, Sil Lim Tao introduces the flag arm concept for defense, while Chum Kil introduces the same concept for attacking, and the Ba Jarm Do bring it to the maximum!

Stay safe and train hard!