Engaging and opponent, specifically making contact with an opponent, is referred to as bridging.
Once a 'bridge' or contact with the opponent’s body is made, usually and arm or leg, the goal is to achieve one or more of the following effects:
- Destabilise the opponent’s centre of mass by rocking them backwards or pulling forwards causing loss of balance.
- Destabilise the opponent’s body structure by causing torsion (twisting) of the upper or lower body.
- Create access points through the opponents defence to allow force to be delivered unopposed into their centre-line (side of head, ribs etc.).
The main aim of wing chun practice is to enable the practitioner to achieve all of these effects instinctively and rapidly as soon as a bridge is made. If achieved, it guarantees maximum effect from the engagement and minimises opportunity for counter attack or evasion.
Regardless of the outcome of each separate engagement, the attack must be continuous and relentless; constantly seeking to bridge and impact into the opponent until the opponent is no longer a threat or the way is clear to leave.
In principal you should not retreat but continually move forward to close the distance with the opponent to enable bridging, 'sticking' and attack of the opponents centre. In practice however it is often expedient to take a measured step back but only in order to achieve a better way forward. In such circumstances the backward step is rarely in a straight line as little advantage is gained from doing so. In these circumstances the 'circling' or side stepping is often most expedient as these provide opportunity to close the range, 'bridge' and change the angle of incoming and outgoing force all at the same time.
The idea of keeping distance, striking and retreating is not the wing chun way: wing chun is a defensive fighting style not a sport where points count and judges must see all the strikes. Fighting engagements are not meant to last more than a few seconds, the attacks must be continuous and relentless to not allow the opponent time to recover or to reassess the situation and change their tactics accordingly.
Once the bridge has been made and the attack is in progress short steps and pivoting can be used to change the angle of attack, gain additional distance for striking and/or to destabilise the opponent through twisting of the torso and pivoting of the feet. To use these techniques in application the stance must be solid and well 'grounded' but also sensitive and agile; this is developed in proper practice and understanding of the forms.
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