Biu-Tze

The Thrusting-Fingers Form

Introduction | Section 1 | Drills & Applications | Concepts & Theories

Introduction

The third empty-hand form of the Wing Chun system is called Biu-Tze. Meaning Thrusting-Fingers, this form centers on the delivery of focused force into the opponent at extremely close ranges. Its use revolves around the delivery of permanent (sometimes fatal) injuries.

Some schools teach that Biu-Tze’s “emergency” techniques were created to help you regain the centerline if you have lost it; however, this is incorrect. Why? Because we have already learned this principle in everything leading up to Biu-Tze.

Beginning with the Siu-Nim-Tau, everything we do revolves around the centerline and how important it is for effective protection and attack. The Chum-Kiu expanded this further by teaching us varying angles and how to regain the centerline so as to place us in a more efficient position. This was reinforced even further through Chi-sau and Lap-sau, for anyone that loses the centerline will immediately tell you that you are in a bad situation.

This knowledge of the centerline is a prerequisite for learning the Biu-Tze vs. learning how to regain it. So at the AWCA, we follow the Yip Man concept that Biu-Tze is not for recovering the centerline; instead, it is for the delivery of permanent/fatal attacking actions.

Because of the nature of this curriculum and the concepts that it represents, the Biu-Tze is never taught to anyone that has not first demonstrated an extremely strong and upright moral character. Prior to utilizing any of these movements or employing its concepts, a practitioner must already have a refined force in which his/her power can lash out with a great deal of elasticity. Even the slightest stiffness or tension will create a hole in your defense, which is why you will hear that the movements from this particular form can actually get you hurt if you try to do them without being taught how to use them.

In other words, the movements by themselves mean nothing. It is the concepts behind the movements and how they are being used that creates the effectiveness of Biu-Tze.

Therefore, I must caution everyone that you should never employ these movements in a real situation unless you have been properly trained by a skilled and knowledgeable teacher. Not only can you create irreparable harm to someone if used inappropriately, but you can also get fatally injured yourself without knowing the why’s behind it. This is not a game. This is real life, and it is permanent.

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Section 1

Biu-Tze is very interesting to a Wing Chun practitioner in that we expand our skills of explosion to generate a penetrating explosion of force in everything that we do from this point on, which is extremely valuable to close-quarters fighting (as well as for fighting multiple armed attackers).

A practitioner can wedge into the opponent via angulation, thereby penetrating his or her defense and capitalizing on this close distance. An extremely competent Chum-Kiu is required before even thinking about learning Biu-Tze, which is why the Chum-Kiu is said to be the “bridge” between the Siu-Nim-Tau and the Biu-Tze.

Highlights of Section 1

Biu-Tze Section 1 (HD video under production)

Hoi-ma
Opening the Stance

Open the stance as learned during Siu-Nim-Tau.

Gow-cha Gaun-sau
Crossed Double Splitting Block-arms

Explode the arms downward via Gow-cha Gaun-sau.

Kwun-sau
Rotating-arms/Twisting-arms

Bring the left hand inward slightly while twisting the arms upward along a straight path. Like all previous Kwun-sau actions, do not let the arms come in towards your body.

Gow-cha Tan-sau
Rotating-arms/Twisting-arms

Continue the upward rotating/twisting from Kwun-sau until the arms reach Gow-cha Tan-sau, left wrist over right wrist.

Hau-jarn
Withdrawing-arm/Backward-elbow

Forcefully explode the elbows backwards.

Yat-chi-chung-kuen
Character “Sun” Thrusting punch

In Siu-Nim-Tau and Chum-Kiu, Yat-chi-chung-kuen was first brought to the centerline and then driven outward. In Biu-Tze, Yat-chi-chung-kuen is driven from the withdrawn Hau-jarn position. The arm still extends to full extension vs leaving a bend in the elbow.

Biu-Tze-sau
Thrusting Fingers-strike

With the arm fully extended, open the fingers to the Biu-Tze-sau position and then thrust forward from the shoulder.

Saam-yiu-sau
Triple Wagging-hand

With the arm locked out and the wrist remaining on the centerline, pivot the wrist downward so that the fingers are pointed as far downward as possible.

Saam-yiu-sau
(continued)

With the arm locked out and the wrist remaining on the centerline, pivot the wrist upward so that the fingers are pointed as far upward as possible.

Saam-yiu-sau
(continued)

With the arm locked out and the wrist remaining on the centerline, pivot the wrist downward so that the fingers are pointed as far downward as possible.

Tan-sau

Pivot the wrist back to Tan-sau.

Huen-sau

Circle the hand up…

Huen-sau
(continued)

… inward…

Huen-sau
(continued)

… and downward.

Saam-yiu-sau

With the arm locked out and the wrist remaining on the centerline, pivot the wrist inward so that the fingers are pointed as far to the inside as possible.

Saam-yiu-sau
(continued)

With the arm locked out and the wrist remaining on the centerline, pivot the wrist outward so that the fingers are pointed as far to the outside as possible.

Saam-yiu-sau
(continued)

With the arm locked out and the wrist remaining on the centerline, pivot the wrist inward so that the fingers are pointed as far to the inside as possible.

Tan-sau

Pivot the wrist back to Tan-sau.

Huen-sau

Circle the hand up…

Huen-sau
(continued)

… inward…

Huen-sau
(continued)

… and continue until the hand is beginning to point upward.

Saam-yiu-sau

With the arm locked out and the wrist remaining on the centerline, pivot the wrist upward so that the fingers are pointed as far upward as possible.

Saam-yiu-sau
(continued)

With the arm locked out and the wrist remaining on the centerline, pivot the wrist downward so that the fingers are pointed as far downward as possible.

Saam-yiu-sau
(continued)

With the arm locked out and the wrist remaining on the centerline, pivot the wrist upward so that the fingers are pointed as far upward as possible.

Tan-sau

Pivot the wrist to Tan-sau.

Huen-sau

Huen-sau pivots upward…

Huen-sau
(continued)

… inward…

Huen-sau
(continued)

… and downward.

Huen-sau
(continued)

Snap the fist closed as if catching a ball bouncing upward.

Hau-jarn

Forcefully drive the arm backwards via Hau-jarn.

Repeat steps 6-17 for the other side.
When completed, continue to step30a

Kup-jarn
Downward Overhead-elbow

Turn to the left and raise the elbow as far upward as possible.

Kup-jarn
(continued)

Crash the elbow directly downward.

Kup-jarn

Turn 180-degrees while raising the left elbow as far upward as possible.

Kup-jarn
(continued)

Crash the elbow directly downward.

Kup-jarn

Turn 180-degrees while raising the right elbow as far upward as possible.

Kup-jarn
(continued)

Crash the elbow directly downward while simultaneously bringing the left hand under the right arm.

Juen-bo Biu-Tze-sau
Advancing-step Thrusting Fingers-strike

Step with the left foot while simultaneously executing left Biu-Tze-sau. As Biu-Tze-sau is launched, the right hand slides under the left arm.

Juen-bo Biu-Tze-sau
(continued)

Simultaneously with Biu-Tze-sau, the left foot steps forward.

Ai-jin-bo Biu-Tze-sau
Closing-step Thrusting Fingers-strike

Execute a right Biu-Tze-sau while simultaneously bringing the rear foot even with the lead leg.

Ai-jin-bo Biu-Tze-sau
(continued)

When complete, both feet are together.

Tan-sau/Huen-sau/Hau-jarn

Turn the hands over to Tan-sau, followed by Huen-sau and Hau-jarn.

Kau-bo
Plucking-step

From the previous position…

Kau-bo
(continued)

… the right foot sweeps in a semi-circle to the other side.

Kau-bo
(continued)

Planting fully down, the weight shifts down to the back leg and the body shifts to Yee-chi-kim-yeung-ma.

Kau-bo

From Yee-chi-kim-yeung-ma…

Kau-bo
(continued)

… the left foot sweeps in a semi-circle and…

Kau-bo
(continued)

… plants fully down. Shift your weight to this leg to assume Yee-chi-kim-yeung-ma.

Kau-bo

From Yee-chi-kim-yeung-ma…

Kau-bo
(continued)

… the right foot sweeps in a semi-circle and…

Kau-bo
(continued)

… plants fully down. Shift your weight to this leg and assume Yee-chi-kim-yeung-ma.

Repeat steps 30a-38c for the other side.
When completed, continue to step 48a

Pie-jarn
Horizontal Hacking-elbow

Turn to the left while hacking along a horizontal path. It is not the shoulder that is producing force; instead, the entire turning of the body via Chuen-ma is the true catalyst.

Pie-jarn

Turn to the right while hacking along a horizontal path. Hack the arm along a horizontal path. As Pie-jarn completes, right left hand moves under the left.

Shat-geng-sau
Throat Cutting-hand

Explode the right hand via Shat-geng-sau to full elbow extension while simultaneously withdrawing the left via Hau-jarn.

Har-lo Chang-sau
(Lower-level Spade-hand)

Drive the left hand to Har-lo Chang-sau to full elbow extension while simultaneously withdrawing the right via Hau-jarn.

Chuen Biu-Tze-sau
Turning Thrusting Fingers-strike

Return to Yee-chi-kim-yeung-ma while launching Biu-Tze-sau to the side.

Zhoung-bu-pie Jum-sau
Middle-hacking Descent-force Sinking-arm

Raise the arm over your head and…

Zhoung-bu-pie Jum-sau
(continued)

… crash Jum-sau directly downward along the vertical midline.

Kuang-dai-ji Tut-sau
Releasing-arm Eye-strike

Place the right hand on top of the left arm, palm upward.

Kuang-dai-ji Tut-sau
(continued)

Initiate a combination Tut-sau Releasing-arm eye strike to an upward 45-degree angle towards the eyes.

Tan-sau

Keeping the arm fully locked out, turn the palm over to form Tan-sau.

Huen-sau

Keeping the arm fully locked out, pivot the wrist so that the palm is facing you with the fingers pointed directly upward.

Huen-sau
(continued)

Continuing to keep the arm fully locked out, pivot the wrist to the inside.

Huen-sau
(continued)

Again continuing to keep the arm fully locked out, pivot the wrist down so that the fingers are pointed directly downward.

Huen-sau
(continued)

Snap the hand closed as if catching a ball bouncing upward.

Hau-jarn

Forcefully drive the arm backwards via Hau-jarn.

Repeat steps 48a-57 for the other side.
When completed, continue to step 68

Kwai-jarn
Diagonal Kneeling Down-elbow

Turn to the left while executing a right Kwai-jarn. The body sinks into the elbow attack is if kneeling down in to it. As Kwai-jarn is completed, the left hand moves under the right arm.

Jilei-chidao-sau
Rib Penetration-hand

The left hand “cuts in” at a downward angle with the outside edge of the hand while the right hand simultaneously withdraws via Hau-jarn.

Sheung-lo Chang-sau
Upper-level Spade-hand

Explode the right hand to an upper-level Spade-hand while simultaneously withdrawing the left hand via Hau-jarn.

Chuen Biu-Tze-sau
Turning Thrusting Fingers-strike

Turn to Yee-chi-kim-yeung-ma while simultaneously lashing out to the side with Biu-Tze-sau.

Zhoung-bu-pie Jum-sau

Raise the arm over your head and…

Zhoung-bu-pie Jum-sau
(continued)

… crash Jum-sau directly downward along the vertical midline.

Kuang-dai-ji Tut-sau

Place the left hand on top of the right arm, palm upward.

Kuang-dai-ji Tut-sau
(continued)

Initiate a combination Tut-sau Releasing-arm eye strike to an upward 45-degree angle towards the eyes.

Tan-sau

Turn the hand over to Tan-sau.

Huen-sau

Keeping the arm fully locked out, pivot the wrist so that the palm is facing you with the fingers pointed directly upward.

Huen-sau
(continued)

Continuing to keep the arm fully locked out, pivot the wrist to the inside.

Huen-sau
(continued)

Again continuing to keep the arm fully locked out, pivot the wrist down so that the fingers are pointed directly downward.

Huen-sau
(continued)

Snap the hand closed as if catching a bouncing ball on the upward trajectory.

Hau-jarn

Forcefully drive the arm backwards via Hau-jarn.

Repeat steps 68-76 for the other side.
When completed, you have completed section 1 of the Biu-Tze

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Drills & Applications

It has been said that the Biu-Tze’s purpose is the employment of deadly force, and I feel that it is important to clarify this statement further.

A Wing Chun practitioner is trained in a variety of concepts to appropriately and effectively deal with either one or multiple opponents, as well as fighting in all ranges. If that is true, then why would a concept such as Biu-Tze even be necessary? What would be happening to make such a lethal form of training relevant?

Kup-jarn/Jilei-chidao-sau/Tan-Chang-sau (HD video under production)

Kup-jarn/Jilei-chidao-sau/Tan-Chang-sau
Downward Overhead-elbow/Rib Penetrating-hand/Palm-Up arm with Spade-hand

As the attacker drives in with Kup-jarn, the defender initiates Pak-sau and Kup-jarn. The defender’s Kup-jarn is defended with Pak-sau, which sees the arm driven downward.

Kup-jarn/Jilei-chidao-sau/Tan-Chang-sau
(continued)

Using this force to assist the attack, the pressed-down Kup-jarn changes to Jilei-chidao-sau and slams into the attacker’s floating ribs. The goal is to achieve a relaxed response in order to explode the movement into the ribs at such force that the ribs break and penetrate vital organs.

Kup-jarn/Jilei-chidao-sau/Tan-Chang-sau
(continued)

Jilei-chidao-sau changes to Tan-sau while Pak-sau changes to either Gwoy-cheung or Chang-sau (either is acceptable). The premise, though, is to strike approximately the same area as Jilei-chidao-sau in order to maximize the damage done from the first strike.

So what would be happening to make such a lethal form of training necessary? The answer is actually simple. There is no way for us to know what situation we might find ourselves in. In most cases, we will simply walk away, which is always the best course of action for any situation. Sometimes, however, that is not possible.

Today’s attackers are armed cowards running in gangs. Because they have no morals or standards by which an upright human being lives by, they live by a code of cowardice, arming themselves to take advantage of the weak.

In these situations, it could very well be a cause of life or death for us. If we do not employ methods to disarm them and account for their armed friends, then we place ourselves in a grave situation.

The Biu-Tze requires elastic force in which to explode into these movements so as to render the attacker immediately injured, while also taking into account the ever-changing positions of their armed friends.

Therefore, there are times when the protection of self from literal life and death situations could become a reality. And in these cases, this is what the Biu-Tze was designed to accomplish.

Biu-Tze-sau/Chang-sau/Shat-geng-sau (HD video under production)

Biu-Tze-sau/Chang-sau/Shat-geng-sau
Thrusting Fingers-strike/Spade-hand/Throat Cutting-hand

As the attacker drives in with Biu-Tze-sau, the defender launches his own Biu-Tze-sau to slice through the attack.

Biu-Tze-sau/Chang-sau/Shat-geng-sau
(continued)

Biu-Tze-sau changes to either Fook-sau or Lap-sau (both are acceptable) while the other hand explodes with Chang-sau to the underside of the attacker’s jaw.

Biu-Tze-sau/Chang-sau/Shat-geng-sau
(continued)

Chang-sau changes to Lap-sau in order to hold the opponent in place – as well as pulling him in – to the other hand exploding with Shat-geng-sau to the side of the attacker’s neck.

Equally important is the moment, which can change from situation to situation. The environment, your physical condition at that time, even your emotional state. These and many other areas all play a part in how you will fair at the time your skills are needed. And this is the mindset that a Wing Chun practitioner will address in his or her daily training.

Bong-sau/Zhoung-bu-pie Jum-sau/Au-chong-kuen (HD video under production)

Bong-sau/Zhoung-bu-pie Jum-sau/Au-chong-kuen
Wing-arm/Middle-hacking Descent-force Sinking-arm/Hooking-punch

As the attacker launches a punch, it is defended with Bong-sau.

Bong-sau/Zhoung-bu-pie Jum-sau/Au-chong-kuen
(continued)

Wu-sau changes to Lap-sau in order to provide a barrier for control while Bong-sau quickly swings above the attacker’s arm and crashes down on the clavicle via Zhoung-bu-pie Jum-sau.

Bong-sau/Zhoung-bu-pie Jum-sau/Au-chong-kuen
(continued)

Zhoung-bu-pie Jum-sau changes to a neck grab (which is actually Man-geng-sau from the wooden dummy) while Lap-sau changes to Au-chong-kuen and slams into the attacker’s throat. This is a combined-force action since the neck grab is pulling the opponent into the Hooking-punch.

During the creation of Wing Chun, it was not so uncommon that a situation could turn into a life-or-death event. The founders of the system realized that there were, in fact, times when a practitioner would simply have no choice but to inflict fatal injury in order to survive.

Ergo, the Biu-Tze.

There are many practitioners around the world that periodically face these situations even in today’s society, so the Biu-Tze continues to be a reliable response. These events involve not only multiple attackers, but multiple armed attackers. It must be understood, however, that the Biu-Tze is never taught to anyone who hasn’t first demonstrated an extremely strong moral character. It said that some practitioners have gone their entire lives and never learned this form or the concepts that it teaches.

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Concepts & Theories

“Emergency” Techniques

The term emergency is, for some, a confusing issue. Some feel that it relates to the situation of if we lose our centerline, we are in danger of losing the fight. Therefore we must employ emergency techniques in order to regain it. Others, however, feel that the term emergency relates to a life-or-death situation, such as the premise of us being unarmed and our attackers are armed.

The AWCA continues to teach what was passed to us, and we were taught that the term emergency relates to the latter.

For example, the Siu-Nim-Tau and Chum-Kiu curriculums have expounded heavily on the concept of the centerline. In order to even begin learning the Biu-Tze, a great deal of competence must already be present. And part of this competence is that the centerline is paramount to everything we do.

If we lose the centerline, we have already learned how to regain it and put ourselves back into a positive vs. negative position. So if this is true, then how could the third form revolve around a concept that was already learned?

The term emergency as it relates to Biu-Tze training is that our lives are in peril. The possible scenario of being unarmed and facing an armed attacker was not uncommon in the days of our ancestors, nor is it uncommon today. It does not automatically mean that you have to employ deadly force, and naturally we want to refrain from this.

But in the end, you do not get to pick-and-choose who, how, or when you will be attacked. And if you are unarmed and your attacker(s) are armed, you must do what needs to be done. The Biu-Tze was created for this scenarios, and as a Japanese fable exclaims, “You will take them to the destruction they seek.”

“Biu-Tze Does Not Go Out The Door”

Because of the nature of Biu-Tze and what it teaches, our ancestors designed a simple saying to stress the importance of this training: “Biu-Tze does not go out the door.” This means that not everyone was honored by learning it, and if you were fortunate enough to have learned it, do not let anyone else see you training it. Why?

As every student of Wing Chun knows, every attack has a defense. Even those that seem to be undefendable by an opponent actually has a defense. And in many cases, the defense lies within the very form that the attack is in. With some actions, however, the Biu-Tze – the final empty-hand form – is where you will find the most advanced concepts of defense.

The Biu-Tze is not just a collection of actions; instead, it is using attack as defense. And because of this, one schooled in its use can expediently defeat an otherwise undefeatable opponent. Therefore, “Biu-Tze does not go out the door” keeps this training protective for the use of Wing Chun practitioners.

In today’s world, however, there are very few secrets of Wing Chun, so this particular saying does not have the same premise as it once did.

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For More Information…

The final empty-hand training of Wing Chun is paramount for all practitioners, but it should never be trained until the first two curriculums are fully competent. If you are at this level, though, and you are ready for the next phase of training? Then Volume 4: Biu-Tze of the AWCA’s eBook Training Series is what you are looking for.

This in-depth video-illustrated workbook takes you through the complete Biu-Tze curriculum from start-to-finish, including the form, drills, applications, and concepts. A lot of questions exist as to “what’s what” where the Biu-Tze is concerned, and Volume 4 answers those questions by taking you step-by-step through this fascinating study of Wing Chun training.

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