Chum Kiu ~ seeking the bridge form"

Chum ~ Cantonese word meaning: to seek v., To try to find or obtain

Kiu ~ Cantonese word meaning: bridge n., To connect or reduce the distance between; the contact between two limbs

Chum Kiu, known as the seeking the bridge form, is Wing Chun's second or intermediate form and is the natural progression after learning Siu Nim Tao. Chum Kiu is, in reality, far more advanced and complex than Siu Nim Tao, primarily because it incorporates Siu Nim Tao and then comprehensively adds to it. All the basic hand techniques, energies and the use of those energies that are developed in Siu Nim Tao, are used within Chum Kiu, which teaches the practitioner how to gain complete control of the fighting environment. Chum Kiu training increases the power developed within Siu Nim Tao, so it is vital that sufficient level of understanding and proficiency has been developed in Siu Nim Tao, before Chum Kiu training commences.

The principle concept behind Chum Kiu is, as the name suggests, to seek or to search for the bridge. The bridge refers to either the forearm, or any physical contact point, either arms or legs, on the opponent. This contact enables the practitioner to utilise the sensitivity and energy developed through Chi Sau, to control and dominate their opponent by reading their opponent's movements and intentions. Through contact it is possible to immediately respond with the appropriate defensive technique, parry, trap or counter attack.

"The best 'block' in the world is to move."

Sifu Shaun Rawcliffe

In order to avoid being hit, as well as to increase the power of Wing Chun's techniques, Chum Kiu practices and develops powerful stepping and turning footwork, whilst simultaneously offering forward hand techniques to safely intercept and receive a strike, or to create a point of contact. Though the primary aim of Chum Kiu is to seek out the opponent, it also incorporates a multitude of other concepts. Chum Kiu utilises all the basic concepts, hand techniques and structures practised within Siu Nim Tao and adds functionality to them through the correct usage of stepping and turning footwork. Additionally, Kicking techniques are introduced and practised within Chum Kiu; defensively to intercept an attacker's kicks or to bridge the gap at a lower level; offensively to attack an opponent's legs and stance.

Additionally, Chum Kiu contains several tools and movements to recover the centreline, however, unlike Biu Tze, which aggressively recovers the centreline when an opponent takes advantage of a mistake, Chum Kiu recovers the centreline as soon as the mistake is felt by the Wing Chun practitioner and before the opponent has the opportunity to capitalise upon it.

Chum Kiu practice, unifies and coordinates the upper and lower body. This harnesses the power and energy available through correct turning and stepping and continues the development of structure and efficient body mechanics begun in Siu Nim Tao. The legs and footwork must be trained to function as part of the whole body, not as a separate structure from the upper body.

In application, footwork involves stepping forward, backward, to the side and at an angle, as well as turning on the spot. Stepping must be fast and powerful to close in on the attacker, driving towards and them, jamming their attacks and counter attacking. Once this distance has been bridged, the correct stance and structure must be in place to provide a strong stable platform to deliver powerful strikes and support powerful defences against possible counter attacks.