Grading System

Grandmaster Jim Fung's unique Wing Chun training programme, Grandmaster Jim Fung's Wing Chun Kung Fu®, was developed by Grandmaster Jim Fung over his 47 years of experience as a student and teacher of Wing Chun Kung Fu.

Grandmaster Jim Fung took the Wing Chun Forms which he was taught by his master, Chu Shong Tin, and devised a highly effective training system consisting of four 'Grades' and six 'Levels'. This system facilitates the rapid development of highly effective self defence skills from the first lesson, while allowing for the development of Wing Chun's Power of Relaxation and thought force (also known as 'Nim Lik') at the higher Grades and Levels. Sigung Chu Shong Tin has often praised this system for being highly efficient at equipping students with effective Wing Chun skills in a short period of time.

Grandmaster Jim Fung's Wing Chun Kung Fu® is unique to the International Wing Chun Academy and its Licensed Affiliates.

 

Grading Progression

Students typically spend between three to six months in each Grade and a minimum of two years in each Level before attending a practical 'Grading' where their skills are assessed by a panel of Marking Instructors.

Grade 1 to 4 Gradings

From Grades 1 to 4, students are tested on aspects of their training such as the Siu Nim Tau Form, development of speed, force and reflex, and their ability to apply their Wing Chun under pressure in controlled sparring and self defence scenarios.

Advanced Pre-Level 1 and Level 1 Gradings

For the advanced Pre-Level 1 and Level 1 Gradings, students are required to demonstrate their ability to apply their Wing Chun skills to any realistic self defence situation, including against weapons, in a controlled free-sparring environment. While the aim of the Pre-Level 1 and Level 1 Gradings is to pressure-test the student's abilities and to simulate the stress and intensity of a realistic self defence situation, protective gear is worn and the utmost care is taken as to the safety of students participating in the Grading. Gradings for Level 1 and above also involve a written examination on Wing Chun theory.

Become a Trainee Instructor (Sihing or Sijie)

From Advanced Grade 2 and above, students are eligible to attend the intensive Trainee Instructor Course which covers topics such as Wing Chun history, legal and ethical issues, leadership and communication skills, Grandmaster Jim Fung's teaching methods and more. Once the student has attained Level 1 standard, their teaching skills will be re-assessed and they may be promoted to the rank of 'Instructor'.

 

Grandmaster Jim Fung's Unique Grading System

The following table contains a brief overview of the skills learned within each Grade and Level of Grandmaster Jim Fung's Wing Chun Kung Fu®.

Grade 1

  • Basic theory and logic of Wing Chun,
  • Siu Nim Tau Form,
  • Wing Chun stance and its importance,
  • Pivoting,
  • Development of punching and kicking,
  • Counter-movements to basic arm and leg attacks,
  • Counter-movements to basic rear and side attacks.

Grade 2

  • Single Chi Sau (sticking hands) and basic applications,
  • Development of the Siu Nim Tau form,
  • Further development of the Wing Chun stance,
  • Cultivation of 'forward force',
  • Four corner deflection techniques,
  • Development of punching and kicking power,
  • Counter-movements to advanced arm and leg attacks,
  • Combination and extension of Grade 1 movements, with an emphasis on fluidity of movement, speed and reflex,
  • Limited sparring.

Grade 3

  • Double Chi Sau (sticking hands) and basic applications,
  • Further development of the Siu Nim Tau form and basic applications,
  • Eight corner deflection techniques,
  • Introduction to advanced counter-attack movements,
  • Defence against multiple attackers,
  • Defence against basic weapon attacks,
  • Free sparring (emphasis placed on quick response to random attacks).

Grade 4

  • Advanced Wing Chun theory,
  • Further development of Double Chi Sau (sticking hands), applications and introduction Lap Sau,
  • Further development of the Siu Nim Tau form and applications,
  • Further development of attack and defence with legs,
  • Defence against weapon attacks,
  • Defence against random attacks - ability to respond by reflex to any type of attack,
  • Application of Wing Chun on the ground,
  • Free sparring.

Pre-Level 1

  • Revision of all self defence applications learned from Grades 1 to 4 in preparation for the Level 1 Grading,
  • Development of the ability to apply Wing Chun instinctively and effectively in any situation.

Level 1

  • Learn the movements and basic theory of the Chum Kiu Form,
  • Advanced applications of the Siu Nim Tau form,
  • Advanced power generation through the development of thought force or 'nim lik',
  • Development of the 'Power of Relaxation',
  • Development of the ability to maximise body weight in attacks and defences,
  • Generation of mental focus and forward force,
  • Advanced Chi Sau and Lap Sau,
  • Advanced kicking applications.

Level 2

  • Learn the movements and basic theory of the Biu Jee Form,
  • Advanced applications of the Chum Kiu form,
  • Further development of thought force or 'nim lik',
  • Development of multi-vector force,
  • Further generation of mental focus and forward force,
  • Advanced Chi Sau and Lap Sau.

Level 3

  • Learn the movements and basic theory of the Wooden Dummy Form (Mook Yan Jong),
  • Advanced applications of the Biu Jee form,
  • Further development of thought force or 'nim lik',
  • Development of the Biu Jee 'vortex effect',
  • Further generation of mental focus and forward force,
  • Advanced Chi Sau and Lap Sau.

Level 4

  • Learn the movements and basic theory of the Butterfly Knife Form (Bart Jarm Do),
  • Advanced applications of the Mook Yan Jong form and the incorporation of Siu Nim Tau, Chum Kiu and Biu Jee,
  • Further development of thought force or 'nim lik',
  • Development of Senior teaching skills,
  • Further generation of mental focus and forward force,
  • Advanced Chi Sau and Lap Sau.

Level 5

  • Learn the movements and basic theory of the 6.5 Point Pole Form (Lok Dim Boon Gwun);
  • Advanced applications of the Bart Jarm Do form,
  • Further development of thought force or 'nim lik',
  • Further generation of mental focus and forward force,
  • Advanced Chi Sau and Lap Sau.

Level 6

  • Learn to analyse and assess the validity of techniques,
  • Further development of thought force or 'nim lik',
  • Further generation of mental focus and forward force,
  • Advanced Chi Sau and Lap Sau.

Grandmaster Jim Fung's Wing Chun Kung Fu® is the intellectual property of Siu Sing Pty Ltd trading as the 'International Wing Chun Academy'. Unauthorised use of Grandmaster Jim Fung's Wing Chun Kung Fu® is strictly prohibited.