Ranks & Levels
Ranking System of the AWCA
Introduction
The AWCA follows the basic grading structure taught to us via Master Leung Ting’s Wing Tsun system. Note that while we are no longer officially a part of Master Leung’s organization, we continue to honor him by only passing on what was taught to us. Although the Wing Tsun curriculum of today is a bit different than what we were taught in the late 1980′s, we pass on what we learned and in the manner we learned it.
I believe the ranking system is an excellent pattern to continue following since it provides a logical, progressive manner in which to train. Additionally, any student can train with another student, and solely from their level they can know quickly where to pick up with their individual lessons.
Levels of Progression
Wing Chun follows a progressive step-by-step progression through unarmed and armed combat. The focus is always viewed from a worst-case scenario in order to glean the most efficient of skill sets.
Some lineages have altered this logical progression by introducing elements out of order, but the AWCA continues to train and teach in the manner that it was taught to us.
- Siu-Nim-Tau
- Chum-Kiu
- Chi-sau/Lap-sau
- Chi-gerk
- Lat-sau
- Biu-Tze
- Biu-Tze Chi-sau
- Muk-Yan-Chong
- Luk-Dim-Boon-Kwun
- Bart-Cham-Dao
Students
There are twelve (12) student grades in the AWCA training curriculum, with each level denoting the completion of a form’s section or obtaining a skill set in a particular area.
For example, Student Grade 1 covers section 1 of the Siu-Nim-Tau, Student Grade 2 covers section 2 of the Siu-Nim-Tau, and so forth, up to and including Student Grade 12.
Each rank level takes approximately 3 months of training to complete if training twice weekly for a minimum of 45 minutes to 1 hour. Naturally, everyone has more or less time, depending on their particular schedules of life, work, etc. I have seen some students reach Instructor level in as little as 18 months, while others have been so busy with life and work that even after 6 or 7 years, they are only half way through the student curriculum.
Time is not a factor in Wing Chun. What is a factor is that everyone loves training and being a part of such an efficient method of protection.
The uniform for all Student levels consists of the white AWCA training tshirt and black kung fu pants (alternative: black shorts).
Student Grade 1
- Siu-Nim-Tau section 1
- All applications associated with Siu-Nim-Tau section 1 movements
- Stance training via Yee-chi-kim-yeung-ma
- Yat-chi-chung-kuen and Wing Chun punching
- Tan-sau/Fook-sau/Gaun-sau/Pak-sau/Kuen-siu-Kuen
- Pak-sau drill
- Pak-sau timing drill
- Lead-arm defense drill
- Rear-arm defense drill
- Turning and maintaining balance via Chuen-ma to Juk-sun-ma
- Advancing, withdrawing and side-stepping via Juen-bo, Hau-bo and Wang-bo
- Wall bag training
Student Grade 2
- Siu-Nim-Tau section 2
- All applications associated with Siu-Nim-Tau section 2 movements
- Anti-grappling, trapping and pinning
- Barring an opponent via Lan-sau
- Side defense via Fak-sau
- Long-range defense via Cheong-kiu Gum-sau
- Lead-arm defense drill with stepping
- Rear-arm defense drill with stepping
- Refinement of Chuen-ma/Juk-sun-ma
- Chi-dan-sau
- Lap-sau drill
- Free-form stepping to refine footwork
- Wall bag training
Student Grade 3
- Siu-Nim-Tau section 3
- All applications associated with Siu-Nim-Tau section 3 movements
- Pak-sau vs strong punches
- Kick defenses via Gwat-sau and Lau-sau
- Bong-sau and redirecting force
- Chi-dan-sau with steps
- Chi-dan-sau with basic attacks & defenses
- Poon-sau/Luk-sau
- Continuing Lap-sau drill
- Refinement of Lead-arm Defense Drill
- Refinement of Rear-arm Defense Drill
- Huen-bo sweeps
- Multi-directional stepping with simultaneous punches
- Jeet-gerk
- Introduction to Chi-gerk
- Bong-gerk
- Tan/Jup-gerk
- Advancement to Study Group Leader for those involved with the AWCA Distance Learning Program (only for those expressing an interest in beginning an AWCA DLP extension school)
Student Grade 4
- Chum-Kiu section 1
- All applications associated with Chum-Kiu section 1 movements
- Chuen-kiu and piercing an opponent’s structure
- Elbow attacks via Pie-jarn
- Pak-sau vs Yan-cheung
- Pak-sau Trapping/Yan-cheung pinning
- Multi-directional stepping with all known movements
- “Following drills” to improve direction awareness and endurance
- Refinement of Jeet-gerk, applying it to all upper body actions
- Introduction to ground fighting
- Chi-sau section 1 attack
- Chi-sau section 1 defense
- Lap-sau section 1 attack
- Lap-sau section 1 defense
Student Grade 5
- Chum-Kiu section 2
- All applications associated with Chum-Kiu section 2 movements
- Engaging multiple opponents simultaneously
- Side kicks via Wang-chang-gerk
- Wing Chun’s second punching method, Chau-chong-kuen
- Kick defenses via Sheung-har Gaun-sau
- Pulling an opponent off balance
- Ground fighting basics
- Chi-sau section 2 attack
- Chi-sau section 2 defense
- Lap-sau section 2 attack
- Lap-sau section 2 defense
Student Grade 6
- Chum-Kiu section 3
- All applications associated with Chum-Kiu section 3 movements
- Front kicking via Ching-sun-gerk
- Kicking directly behind you via Che-chang-gerk
- Wang-dap-bo-dai-Bong-sau vs roundhouse kicks
- Defense against overhead attacks
- Pinning via Gum-sau
- Continuing ground fighting
- Introduction to stick and knife defenses
- Takedowns 1 & 2
- Takedown defenses for 1 & 2
- Chi-sau section 3 attack
- Chi-sau section 3 defense
- Lap-sau section 3 attack
- Lap-sau section 3 defense
Student Grade 7
- Refinement of Siu-Nim-Tau form
- Refinement of all Siu-Nim-Tau drills & applications
- Refinement of Chum-Kiu form
- Refinement of all Chum-Kiu drills & applications
- Takedowns 3-11
- Takedown defenses for 3-11
- Chain-kicking via Lin-wan-gerk
- Refinement of weapons defenses
- Refinement of Chi-sau sections 1-3
- Refinement of Lap-sau sections 1-3
- Semi-full contact sparring
- Kick sparring
- Introduction to Lat-sau
Student Grades 8-11 encompass the Apprentice Instructor ranks, while Student Grade 12 is considered an Assistant Instructor. This level of student is preparing for Instructor Level 1 so a great deal of time is spent in both their personal training and leading classes in order to give them the experience necessary for running their own schools.
Student Grade 8 (Apprentice Instructor)
- Begin Apprentice Instructor Program. Lead one class per month with supervision.
- Wun-sau
- Kuo-sau attack 1 and defense
- Kuo-sau attack 2 and defense
- Kuo-sau attack 3 and defense
- Kuo-sau attack 4 and defense
- Continuing weapons defenses
- Endurance training for fighting
- Ground fighting sequence 1 and defense
- Ground fighting sequence 2 and defense
- Ground fighting sequence 3 and defense
- Ground fighting sequence 4 and defense
- Refine Chi-sau sections 1-3
- Refine Lap-sau sections 1-3
- Chi-sau section 4 attack
- Chi-sau section 4 defense
- Lap-sau section 4 attack
- Lap-sau section 4 defense
- Continue Lat-sau
Student Grade 9 (Apprentice Instructor)
- Continue Apprentice Instructor Program, leading one class per month with supervision.
- Gwat-dar from Pak-sau drill
- Diagonal positioning at Lap-sau/Pak-sau/Har-lo-cheung
- Continue ground fighting and all sectional attacks/defenses
- Defense against high kicks
- Defense against hook punches
- Defense against uppercuts
- Defense against wrestling shoots and holds
- Refine all Chi-gerk applications
- Refine Chi-sau sections 1-4
- Refine Lap-sau sections 1-4
- Chi-sau section 5 attack
- Chi-sau section 5 defense
- Lap-sau section 5 attack
- Lap-sau section 5 defense
- Combining Nuk-sau, Kuo-sau and Lap-sau
- Semi-full contact sparring
- Ground fighting, full gear, from the bottom position
Student Grade 10 (Apprentice Instructor)
- Continue Apprentice Instructor Program. Begin leading two classes per month with supervision.
- Biu-Tze section 1
- All applications associated with Biu-Tze section 1 movements
- Defense against western boxing combinations
- Defense against low-to-upper transitional attacks
- Refine Chi-sau sections 1-5
- Refine Lap-sau sections 1-5
- Chi-sau section 6 attack
- Chi-sau section 6 defense
- Lap-sau section 6 attack
- Lap-sau section 6 defense
- Continue all ground fighting applications and sparring
- Continue semi-full contact sparring with full equipment
- Biu-Tze Chi-sau: Kup-jarn rolling
- Continue leading one class per week under the guidance of Si-Fu
Student Grade 11 (Apprentice Instructor)
- Continue Apprentice Instructor Program, with two classes per month
- Biu-Tze section 2
- All applications associated with Biu-Tze section 2 movements
- Refine Biu-Tze section 1 form
- Refine all applications from Biu-Tze section 1
- Refinement of Kup-jarn rolling
- Biu-Tze Chi-sau section 1 attack
- Biu-Tze Chi-sau section 1 defense
- Refine Chi-sau sections 1-6
- Refine Lap-sau sections 1-6
Student Grade 12 (Assistant Instructor)
- Assistant Instructor Program. Lead two classes per month, supervision when requested, feedback after each class.
- Biu-Tze section 3
- All applications associated with Biu-Tze section 3 movements
- Refine Biu-Tze sections 1 & 2 forms training
- Refine all applications from Biu-Tze sections 1 & 2
- Refine Chi-sau sections 1-6
- Refine Lap-sau sections 1-7
- Chi-sau section 7 attack
- Chi-sau section 7 defense
- Refinement of Biu-Tze Chi-sau section 1
- Biu-Tze Chi-sau section 2 attack
- Biu-Tze Chi-sau section 2 defense
- Biu-Tze Chi-sau section 3 attack
- Biu-Tze Chi-sau section 3 defense
- Prepare for advancement to Instructor Level 1
Instructors
There are six instructor levels at the AWCA, with the first four being the completion of the system itself. And as with the student grades, each Instructor level indicates a particular skill set.
The uniform for Instructor Levels 1-4 consist of the black AWCA training tshirt and black kung fu pants/shorts. As the levels progress, the striping and rank patches change as noted with each rank.
The AWCA’s only requirement for reaching Instructor level is that they complete the curriculum requirements. That sounds like a no-brainer but some systems/schools have additional requirements for their Instructors that promote the main school itself vs focusing on their members.
For example, some of these requirements include that:
- The Instructor must be a minimum age level.
- The Instructor must remain at a specific level for a given period of time before being allowed to progress. It does not matter if they have mastered their level; they cannot progress without remaining at a given level for a specific length.
- The Instructor must train at least one student from the beginning level up to a specific level, such as completion of the Biu-Tze.
Some schools have even gone so far to state that for an Instructor to continue progressing, they must actually have a certain number of students for a specific length of time. These requirements are stated so that the Instructor can lead large groups, which thereby contributes to their own understanding.
The AWCA understands the nature of this requirement. In that, however, we also recognize the negative aspect it usually has on the Instructor (which is why many who belong to these kinds of associations eventually leave them).
No one should should be forced to market the school in order to progress in rank. Marketing is for businessmen and that is where it should remain. Becoming proficient in Wing Chun should have nothing to do with running a business or marketing the school.
The AWCA takes the more common-sense approach of merely training a member to their fullest and developing a proficient practitioner of Wing Chun Kuen.
Instructor Level 1
To obtain Instructor Level 1, a practitioner must demonstrate competence in the Biu-Tze. The Instructor-candidate will spend a great deal of time at Student Grade 12 in order to master the entire Biu-Tze curriculum before being considered for Instructor Level 1.
When ready, the Instructor-candidate will undertake a rigorous testing event in which everything he/she has ever learned about Wing Chun will be demonstrated both verbally and physically. All three empty-hand forms, their concepts and theories, their drills and applications, and also Chi-sau and Lap-sau sections up to and including section 4 must be demonstrated to competence.
In addition, a competent free-fighting demonstration must be performed with and without protective equipment. From verbally explaining the forms and concepts to performing a competent free-fight, this is an arduous test that puts the practitioner at the very edge of their training.
Those that succeed in obtaining Instructor Level 1 are now granted the title of Si-Fu, or teacher. To retain their credentials, they must remain under the AWCA banner for continued learning and training until they reach Instructor Level 2.
- Demonstrate Siu-Nim-Tau form, drills and applications; in-depth discussion of concepts & theories
- Demonstrate Chum-Kiu form, drills and applications; in-depth discussion of concepts & theories
- Demonstrate Biu-Tze form, drills and applications; in-depth discussion of concepts & theories
- Demonstrate all Chi-sau attacks, defenses, concepts & theories
- Demonstrate all Lap-sau attacks, defenses, concepts & theories
- Demonstrate all Biu-Tze Chi-sau attacks, defenses, concepts & theories
- Competent free-fight at full speed, full power, with all protective equipment
- Competent free-fight with only gloves and mouth guard
Recognized AWCA instructors at Instructor Level 1 include:
At this time, there are no practitioners with the AWCA at Instructor Level 1.
Instructor Level 2
To obtain Instructor Level 2, a practitioner must complete the Muk-Yan-Chong, or Wooden Dummy, in its entirety. With eight sections, this is a very long training phase; however, once it is completed, the practitioner has a new sense of Wing Chun and can demonstrate a fluid competence in their actions.
Additionally, the remaining Chi-sau and Lap-sau sections for Siu-Nim-Tau and Chum-Kiu will be learned, as well as the remaining Biu-Tze Chi-sau sections.
A practitioner who receives Instructor Level 2 is now authorized to branch out from the AWCA banner and can open their own school under their own name.
The uniform for Instructor Level 2 retains the same rank patch, but now includes a ½-inch red stripe on the pants/ shorts, as well as a ½-inch stripe on the sleeves.
- Muk-Yan-Chong form
- All drills and applications associated with each section
Recognized AWCA instructors at Instructor Level 2 include:
- Si-Fu Dennis Sigurnjak, AWCA Illinois
Instructor Level 3
Instructor Level 3 denotes completion of the Luk-Dim-Boon-Kwun, or Six-and-a-Half Point long pole. Training for this weapon includes all strength training drills, stance training drills, the pole form, Chi-kwun (Sticking-pole) and pole vs. knife drills.
Full-contact sparring with the long pole is also learned and honed, and handling this long, heavy weapon can require years of training in order to be correctly used. The appropriate protective equipment is used at this level when sparring.
Average time of training depends on the time put in to it. Generally, it can take up to 1 year for achieving the strength necessary for handling the pole, plus an additional year or so to learn the curriculum itself.
The uniform for Instructor Level 3 retains the ½-inch red striping as for Instructor Level 2, but is now awarded the Instructor Level 3 rank patch.
- Luk-Dim-Boon-Kwun form
- All drills and applications associated with each section
- Chi-kwun
- Competent sparring demonstration: Pole vs pole
At this time, there are no practitioners with the AWCA at Instructor Level 3.
Instructor Level 4
Instructor Level 4 denotes the final level of formal Wing Chun instruction by seeing completion of the Bart-Cham-Dao, or Eight-Cutting Broadswords. Similar to the Instructor Level 1 testing, this is a grueling testing event in which everything that he/she has ever learned about Wing Chun must be demonstrated. The primary focus, however, is on the Bart-Cham-Dao.
The Bart-Cham-Dao requires a great deal of time spent in strength training to condition the wrists and body (as well as the footwork) in order to handle these heavy weapons. After sufficient strength training and coordination is attained, the form is learned, followed by drills and applications. The training is culminated with full-contact knife fighting using specialized protective equipment.
Note: Contact training is performed with blunt-edged and blunt-tipped full-weight knifes, with both practitioners wearing plastic-reinforced neck guards, chest guards, arm guards, groin protectors, and clear-shield head cages.
The uniform for Instructor Level 4 retains the Instructor Level 3 rank patch, but the red striping is now widened from ½-inch to 1-inch on both the pants/shorts and the sleeves of the training tshirt.
- Bart-Cham-Dao form
- All drills and applications associated with each section
- Chi-dao
- Competent sparring demonstration: Knives vs pole
- Competent sparring demonstration: Knives vs knives
Recognized AWCA instructors at Instructor Level 4 include:
- Si-Fu Phil Bradley, Headman, Arizona Wing Chun Association
Senior Instructors
Senior Instructor Level denotes advancement in not only ranking, but also title. Whereas Instructor Levels 1-4 are known as Si-Fu, Instructor Levels 5 and 6 are known as Dai-SiFu, or Senior Instructor/Senior Teacher.
Also called Dai-si, this means Great Teacher, a title that indicates a profound base of knowledge and skill.
Instructor Level 5
Instructor Level 5 denotes “master” ranking. Having a profound mastery of all skill sets and having completed the formal training of the Wing Chun Kuen system, this level of Instructor is able to employ his/her skills in all situations and with a degree of power relevant to the situation.
There are no mistakes at this level, and precision and exactness are evident.
Due to the high level of skill acquired, an instructor at this level is denoted as being Dai-SiFu, or Senior Instructor. The uniform for Instructor Level 5 retains the 1-inch red striping on the pants/shorts from Instructor Level 4, but is now awarded the red AWCA tshirt and the AWCA Instructor Level 5 rank patch.
- Demonstrated profound knowledge in Wing Chun Kuen both physically and verbally.
- Trackable examples of spreading the art of Wing Chun, whether in teaching, writing, or other verifiable mediums.
At this time, there are no practitioners with the AWCA at Instructor Level 5.
Instructor Level 6
Instructor Level 6 is the final level of AWCA Wing Chun training. A practitioner at this level has reached the highest culmination of skill and has demonstrated excellence in his/her technique for both physical and verbal expression in all-things Wing Chun. This practitioner has demonstrated not only their understanding about Wing Chun, but also how it relates to other martial arts.
A practitioner at this level may also begin to cease accepting students, preparing for their eventual retirement from Wing Chun. He/she may continue to teach their current students, or pass this honor to his/her head student for continuance. At that point, the Instructor would “close his door” and would no longer accept students for personal instruction.
The uniform for Instructor Level 6 makes a vast change here. In addition to being awarded the Instructor Level 6 rank patch, the red AWCA shirt is replaced with the yellow shirt to indicate excellence in Wing Chun Kuen. Additionally, all red stripes on the pants/shorts are replaced with 1-½ inch yellow stripes.
- Instructor Level 6 can only be conferred by unanimous decision of the AWCA Board of Directors and headmen of the International branches.
Recognized AWCA instructors at Instructor Level 6 include:
- Dai-SiFu Don Grose, President, International Ving Tsun Kung Fu Federation