Luk Dim Boon Kwan

(Six and 1/2 Point Pole)

Pole training in Bamboo Forest China

1. Dang Kwan (Hammering Pole)

2. Laan Kwan (Long Bridge Pole/ Barring Pole)

3. Biu Kwan (Thrusting Pole)

4. Taan Kwan (Outside Pole)

5. Fook Kwan (Inside Pole)

6. Lou Suei Kwan (Water Flowing Pole)

7. Heun Kwan (circling pole)

Pole training is very common in all form of 'traditonal fighting from all over the world. The staff or cudgel were common in Medieval times. Pole are common as they were readily available. The most common length being approx 5-6ft as poles of this length were used to tranport pails of water from wells. Howerver, the Wing Chun pole is approx. eight feet in length, but can vary up to around 9ft. The saying a foot longer a foot stronger relates to the potential to keep someone at bay or to beat a person who has a pole a shade shorter, much like the importance of a western boxers reach in the 'tale of the tape'. There obviously come a point where the weight/lenght of the weapon is too extreme!

Made of hard wood it is of considerable weight. To reduce the weight and increase ease of use, the pole has been tapered from 1 1/2" inches diameter at the base to 3/4" at the tip. Resembling an oversized pool cue, this design allows the heavy base to be manipulated in the principle of a weighted car park barrier.

With such length there will be limited need for movement, indeed the 6 1/2 refers to the amount of techniques in the Pole Form. The tip is used to devastating effect and, with accuracy and focus, it is a formidable weapon.

It is not practical to use the shaft of the pole to strike as it allows the opponent to see the movement more easily, judge its distance and to counter strike. The pole should, whenever possible, be used to thrust thus offering very little of the pole to be seen. Similar to the commonly called 'flute movement' above. The pole is used to intercept as much as possible, much in the way a fencer works on angles. For this reason the movement is keep to a minimum and the principle of 'Economy of Motion' is adhered to. There is a statement in Wing Chun 'Kwan Mo Leung Heung', the 'pole does not make two sounds'.

In weapons training the stances change to accommodate the power and to create safety against the opponents weapon. The very short kwn ma (pole stance) sometime referred to as half hanging stance shown in picture 1, prevents an opponent from easily striking the inside legs and particularly reduces risk to the inner leg. The stance is low as this allows the practitioner the ability to cover his body well with much smaller movements. In picture 3, to the right, Sifu Eric Wilson is demonstrating the dangers of holding the pole too high.

The grip of the pole is relatively narrow to prevent the opponent from striking the hands. The grip is always of prime importance in weapons training. If an opponent can dislodge your grip you become immediately vulnerable to attack, you will end up facing an opponent who is 'tooled up' whilst you have lost your 'equaliser'. This could also be psychologically weakening too.

Like all aspects of Wing Chun Kuen (except the knives) the pole is simplicity personified.There are no fancy techniques involving twirling or grip changing. The real skill lies in the use of power. The pole is used with explosive short power and shocks the target, whether that be any part of the opponents body or their weapon.

The pole develops tremendous forearm and wrist strength. As such it benefits the punching power and most basic hand techniques. If one can use the power explosively the benefit to general short distance power in empty hand combat is maximised. In the picture below Master Sinclair is teaching at his annual Summer Camp and you can clearly see the pole bending on the down stroke. Master Sinclair will often break a pole with the use of correct power with the lighter poles.