Wing Chun Terminology Guide：Siu Lim Tao

Let me briefly talk about Wing Chun.

For many people, their first encounter with Wing Chun came through film—thanks to figures like Ip Man and Bruce Lee, this Southern Chinese martial art stepped onto the world stage. But do you truly understand the Wing Chun origin and the full history of Wing Chun? Originating in southern China during the Qing Dynasty, Wing Chun is said to have been created by a Shaolin nun and passed on to a young woman named Yim Wing Chun, from whom the art takes its name. Unlike many Western fighting systems that emphasize brute strength and muscle, Wing Chun focuses on structure, angles, and centerline control, all deeply rooted in philosophy and real-world combat efficiency. Over the centuries, while many lineages have evolved, one thing remains constant: Siu Lim Tao（Siu Nim Tao）, the foundational form. If you’re wondering how to master Wing Chun, it doesn’t start with flashy techniques, but with understanding the logic and essence hidden in this seemingly simple form. In this article, we’ll explore the key terminology of Siu Lim Tao to help you take your first meaningful step in mastering Wing Chun.

Horse Stance

The Horse Stance marks the starting point of Siu Lim Tao and is one of the essential structures in Wing Chun training. It develops leg strength while teaching practitioners to align their body and stabilize their base. With feet slightly turned inward and knees tucked toward the center, it trains core balance and centerline control—key principles in how to master Wing Chun.

Tan Sau

Tan Sau is one of the most iconic defensive hand techniques in Siu Lim Tao, reflecting the Wing Chun origin philosophy of “soft overcoming hard.” With the palm facing slightly upward and the elbow dropped, it creates a strong defensive structure against centerline attacks. Proper execution involves relaxed shoulders and inward elbow pressure, a fundamental aspect of Wing Chun structure.

Long Bridge Tan Sau

Long Bridge Tan Sau is an extended form of the basic Tan Sau, emphasizing defensive capability at longer ranges. Compared to the standard version, this variation utilizes arm length and angle more actively, making it particularly useful when dealing with taller opponents or long-range strikes.

Circle Sau

Circle Sau is a guiding and redirection movement within Siu Lim Tao. By tracing a circular path, it leads the opponent’s force away from the centerline. This motion trains the famed “Chi Sau sensitivity” in Wing Chun—sensing through touch and responding fluidly. It’s an essential skill in Wing Chun training, developing controlled and responsive defense.

Straight Punch

Among all Wing Chun techniques, the Straight Punch is the most direct and frequently used strike. It emphasizes centerline delivery and quick retraction, focusing on efficiency and explosive force. The punch travels in a straight line from the body’s center, with minimal telegraphing, forming the offensive backbone of Siu Lim Tao.

Chang Sau

Chang Sau is a spreading hand posture used to relieve pressure or disengage from entanglement. It extends outward with structure and intent, serving as a transitional motion from defense to offense. In Wing Chun workout practice, it teaches how to break deadlocks and regain initiative in close contact.

Lan Sau

Lan Sau functions to “intercept and suppress.” When the opponent raises their arm or initiates an attack, Lan Sau cuts across to control and neutralize the motion. It embodies the concept of “destroying structure with structure,” a key tactic in Wing Chun fundamentals.

Jarn Sau

Jarn Sau is an elbow-powered technique used in mid-range counters. Whether pressing downward or striking sideways, the elbow neutralizes incoming force or serves as an effective close-range attack. It’s compact yet powerful—an indispensable part of Wing Chun exercises.

Jut Sau

Jut Sau is a controlling technique designed to interrupt the opponent’s motion and quickly shift into attack. The downward pulling motion creates an opening, allowing for a seamless transition to the next strike. In Wing Chun training, Jut Sau is commonly used in Chi Sau practice to break rhythm and change angles, exemplifying the principle of “control before strike.”

Biu Sau

Biu Sau is a piercing technique that targets openings along the centerline. Like an arrow shot forward, it emphasizes explosive speed and precision. Used for disruption or counter-attacks, Biu Sau is one of the sharper Wing Chun techniques, ideal for developing quick reflexes and heightened centerline awareness.

Kwan Sau

Kwan Sau is a rotational technique involving two hands—one blocks, the other covers. Resembling a spinning wheel, it redirects incoming force by constantly shifting its angle and path. It’s one of the most dynamic defensive motions in Wing Chun fundamentals, particularly effective against heavy strikes.

Kyu Sau

Kyu Sau is a contracting hand posture used to transition from higher positions to the centerline or to control the opponent’s elbow or wrist in close contact. It reflects the “pulling inward” energy found in Wing Chun exercises, useful for closing distance and neutralizing strength.

Pak Sau

Pak Sau is one of the most frequently used slapping techniques in Wing Chun, aimed at disrupting the opponent’s timing and redirecting their attack path. With clean and efficient motion, it is a go-to technique in Wing Chun training for real-world combat scenarios.

Bong Sau

Bong Sau is one of the most iconic deflective techniques in Wing Chun. It appears passive but is skillfully used to redirect force. The arm lifts in a wing-like posture to deflect high-level attacks, maintaining a relaxed yet structured position. It’s one of the most structurally solid Wing Chun techniques for defense.

Bottom Palm

The Bottom Palm is a palm strike technique that can be executed either from below upwards or downwards. It is applied in short-range attacks targeting vulnerable areas such as the throat and the chin. It is one of the practical offensive methods in Wing Chun exercises. The angle of execution is tricky and, when combined with the momentum generated from the horse stance, it has a surprise-attack effect.

Fook Sau

Fook Sau is a guiding palm used primarily in Chi Sau to maintain contact and sensitivity. It helps control rhythm and sense the opponent’s intentions. Neither entirely offensive nor purely defensive, it’s a central tool in Wing Chun training for managing timing and distance.

Geng Sau

Geng Sau is a flipping motion that transitions from a low position to upward structure, ideal for countering high-level strikes. It embodies the concept of turning disadvantage into control—one of the more transformative moves in Wing Chun techniques.

Toh Sau

Toh Sau is a supportive motion used to receive or absorb force during close contact, setting up a counter-strike. It emphasizes precise alignment of power and intent, serving as a bridge between defense and offense in Wing Chun fundamentals.

Wu Sau

Wu Sau is the “guarding hand,” held in readiness to shift into attack or defense. With a vertical palm and stable elbow, it symbolizes protection and preparedness—often seen as the iconic centerline guardian in Siu Lim Tao.

Chain Punches

Chain Punches are a rapid sequence of straight punches that emphasize speed, pressure, and centerline domination. They are a central component of Wing Chun training for building offensive rhythm and overwhelming the opponent in combat.

Master Liu’s Message

To truly master Wing Chun, one must look beyond the surface of the movements and understand their inner logic. Siu Lim Tao is not just a beginner’s form—it’s the foundational blueprint for the entire Wing Chun system. Within its seemingly simple structure lies a comprehensive body of Wing Chun terminology and principles that guide both training and real-world application.
If you’re interested in a complete glossary of Wing Chun terminology, feel free to leave a comment—I’ll be happy to send the compiled list directly to your email. The terms introduced here are only a part of Siu Lim Tao. I’ve also organized a full collection covering all major Wing Chun techniques, and I’ll continue updating this Wing Chun Terms blog series regularly. Stay tuned for more!