Close Range Combat

In martial arts, close combat (often known as a hand-to-hand combat) includes battling both armed and unarmed at extreme close range. It is the most ancient form of fighting known to mankind. A majority of cultures have their own particular histories related to close combat, and their own methods of practice. There are many varieties included in martial arts, such as Muay-Thai, Shaolin, Karate, Wrestling, Boxing, Jujitsu, and Wing-Chun.

Among all of these existing fighting styles, Wing-Chun perhaps is the most close-quarter-combat fighting art that has been around probably thousands of years. It was designed purely for fighting rather than artistic or sport applications.

It is one of the most well-known styles to emphasize close range fighting. Ideal Wing-Chun fighting distance is fist, elbow and knee range (including the head butt). While the Wing-Chun Dim-Gerk (forward front kick) can be considered a long range weapon to close the gap between the practitioner and the opponent, it also bridges the Wing-Chun fighter up close to the opponent. The practitioners concentrate on "open entry techniques" - getting past an opponent’s kicks and punches or closing the opponent’s gap to bring him into close striking range.

Wing-Chun teaches that it is always possible to get past an opponent’s long range technique and close in to fight on Wing-Chun’s terms. A kick can be jammed or intercepted before its full extension, before it develops full power. A kick can also be exploited when it is being withdrawn, as all kicks inevitably have to be. A Wing-Chun practitioner will rush in during these times, using quick footwork to close the distance. A favorite Wing-Chun saying is "Greet what arrives, escort what leaves and rush upon loss of contact" to emphasize its close range and stick-to-your-opponent approach to fighting.

Wing-Chun’s reputation as a style suitable for smaller sized people (However, stronger and larger sized people learn Wing-Chun correctly can be extremly dangerous.) arises partly from the advantages close range fighting gives to the smaller person. At close range, a smaller person will still be able to develop full power in punches and kicks, as long as there is sufficient space to fully extend his limbs. A longer-limbed opponent at the same distance will be crowded, unable to extend fully and develop full power.