Risk Aversion

A life-or-death situation is no time to take unnecessary risks. Wing-Chun is conservative in this regard. Equal emphasis is placed on offensive and defensive measures. Most hand techniques place one hand close to the chest, to ward off punches that manage to get past the lead hand. The elbows are kept low, to protect the body with the arms inclined upwards to cover the head. The stance promotes the hips forward and chest back, so as to allow the center of gravity to be at the optimal position, while keeping the head away from the opponent. This allows the head to be tilted forward and down to protect the throat with the chin.

Proper balance is always maintained. Wing-Chun practitioners will not risk their balance by over-reaching to attack an opponent. Strikes should be launched from a solid base. All-or-nothing gambles are not worth the risk. Feints are discouraged as these are seen as opening up your body to attack, with no possibility of hitting your opponent in return.