Luk Dim Bun Gwan – The six-and-a-half point pole

The name six-and-a-half point pole refers to the six stabs with the pole and one hit that leaves behind a half impression of a circle.
At the AIWTKF it is already possible to learn the six-and-a-half point pole in the 9th class. Special seminars are held several times a year under the personal direction of Sifu Klaus Flickinger. The basic techniques are learned first to help the student learn the pole technique better.

Once a student has learnt the pole form he is taught the chi gwan (a pole training method corresponding to chi sau). This is followed by training pole techniques in freestyle exercises with the appropriate protective equipment. Unlike unarmed wing tsun training, where fighting is generally practised at short distances, pole training concentrates on fighting at longer distances.

Because of the length of the pole (c. 1.85 m) the idea is now to transfer the unarmed techniques one has learned, such as bong sau, taan sau or punch, to the “extended” forms of bong gwan, taan gwan and cheung gwan using the pole.
This also enables the student to better understand the logic of the geometrical relationships within wing tsun kung fu.

Since exercising with the pole initially requires a great deal of exertion, pole training is excellent as a specific wing tsun method of power training. The pole techniques also make use of the wide and deep stance called gwan ma, probably better known from classic kung fu. Regular training with the pole can greatly increase the student’s unarmed techniques and his footwork. So the objective of pole training in wing tsun kung fu is not to be able to excel in an outmoded combat context with a pole or a lance but to incorporate the pole techniques in unarmed wing tsun combat techniques.

Baat Zaam Dou – The Eight Cutting Swords

The special butterfly sword techniques particular to wing tsun are also taught in several phases in the AIWTKF. The butterfly sword techniques can be studied after graduation to the 1st Graduate Level.
As of the 2nd Graduate Level it is possible to learn the complete form and also applications of the butterfly sword techniques.

Just like with the advanced, unarmed wing tsun techniques, the butterfly sword exercises also consist of purely attack techniques.
The student must have learned to anticipate the opponent’s move as well as possible; his visual reflexes must be so well trained that he can react to the opponent’s attack as quickly as possible. Prerequisite for this is a pronounced feel for distance. In reality, a sword fight is decided within a very short time. Each contact with the blade normally results in serious injury or death. This is why it is very important to end the fight quickly by using a perfectly trained series of attacks.

It is self-explanatory that the teaching of the butterfly sword techniques only makes sense for wing tsun students with several years experience. A profound background knowledge of the methods and principles, and their context are an indispensable foundation for the wing tsun system.