# centreline theory **URL:** \ **Category:** Wing Chun\ **Created:** [March 18, 2003, 4:39am UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/centreline-theory/19082 "2003-03-18T04:39:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![EnterTheWhip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/45deac/32.png) [@EnterTheWhip](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/EnterTheWhip)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2003, 4:39am UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/centreline-theory/19082/1 "2003-03-18T04:39:48Z")
What is the definition and understanding of centreline theory as taught in your school? ---
**Author:** ![EnterTheWhip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/45deac/32.png) [@EnterTheWhip](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/EnterTheWhip)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2003, 3:04am UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/centreline-theory/19082/2 "2003-03-19T03:04:37Z")
anyone? Bueller? ---
**Author:** ![burnsypoo](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forum.kungfumagazine.com/burnsypoo/32/167_2.png) [@burnsypoo](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/burnsypoo)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2003, 5:21am UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/centreline-theory/19082/3 "2003-03-19T05:21:30Z")
how do different people distinguish between the vertical axis “centerline” and the straight line “centerline”? I’ve noticed that a lot of people use the same word for different concepts. ---
**Author:** ![EnterTheWhip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/45deac/32.png) [@EnterTheWhip](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/EnterTheWhip)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2003, 5:45am UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/centreline-theory/19082/4 "2003-03-19T05:45:01Z")
Hey burnsy Can we deal with one question at a time? I’d like a reply to the first question first before adding more to the equation. ---
**Author:** ![TjD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b4bc9f/32.png) [@TjD](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/TjD)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2003, 6:09am UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/centreline-theory/19082/5 "2003-03-19T06:09:59Z")
stepping up i’ll bite, even though im sure i’ll get whipped 😃 (speaking vertically) if the centerline is open, you should occupy it (preferably with a blow to your opponent). however, when the fists are flying from someone who isnt worried about the centerline, either jam them (often by making the path of their weapon the centerline or just getting in close enough to miss the shots ‘sweet spot’), or get out of the way. however when doing either, follow the rule as above. _edit follows - as i didn’t finish_ if the centerline is not open, occupy it. Your sensitivity gained from good chi sau will do the work. If you cannot occupy the centerline, change the centerline so you can. ---
**Author:** ![burnsypoo](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forum.kungfumagazine.com/burnsypoo/32/167_2.png) [@burnsypoo](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/burnsypoo)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2003, 7:03am UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/centreline-theory/19082/6 "2003-03-19T07:03:48Z")
Re: Hey burnsy > Originally posted by EnterTheWhip > Can we deal with one question at a time? I’d like a reply to the first question first before adding more to the equation. figured I’d do two birds with one stone, my bad. ---
**Author:** ![treestump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/77aa72/32.png) [@treestump](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/treestump)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2003, 7:53pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/centreline-theory/19082/7 "2003-03-19T19:53:45Z")
Speaking of just theory, you have a vertical midline and a horizonal midline. The horizonal being roughly at the bottom of your breast bone. Where these two meet is your mid point, and coming directly out of your mid point away from your body is your centerline. When in your ‘ready’ position both hands should be along the center line. Your offense and defense should always TRY to occupy the centerline for the greatest protection but that is not always possiblen depending on the incoming/outgoing force. I tried not to use any tech. terms so its easier for everyone to understand so sorry 'bout being vague ---
**Author:** ![EnterTheWhip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/45deac/32.png) [@EnterTheWhip](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/EnterTheWhip)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 8:44pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/centreline-theory/19082/8 "2003-03-20T20:44:06Z")
treestump What is the ready position? ---
**Author:** ![system](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/uploads/kungfumagazine/original/2X/e/ee79c1ddba056fb2c94515d43d7de1be82ac7fa6.png) [@system](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2003, 12:49am UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/centreline-theory/19082/9 "2003-03-21T00:49:17Z")
centerline To me centerline theory- The closest distance between you and your opponent!!! ---
**Author:** ![Matrix](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forum.kungfumagazine.com/matrix/32/240_2.png) [@Matrix](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/Matrix)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2003, 2:20am UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/centreline-theory/19082/10 "2003-03-21T02:20:11Z")
Re: treestump > Originally posted by EnterTheWhip > What is the ready position? > Whatever position you happen to be in. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![system](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/uploads/kungfumagazine/original/2X/e/ee79c1ddba056fb2c94515d43d7de1be82ac7fa6.png) [@system](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2003, 2:31am UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/centreline-theory/19082/11 "2003-03-21T02:31:18Z")
Hey Matrix ‘‘Whatever position you happen to be in.’’ You are the’ONE’ ---
**Author:** ![Matrix](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forum.kungfumagazine.com/matrix/32/240_2.png) [@Matrix](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/Matrix)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2003, 2:48am UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/centreline-theory/19082/12 "2003-03-21T02:48:40Z")
Re: Hey Matrix > Originally posted by CLOUD ONE > You are the ‘ONE’ > Only in my press clippings. Thanks. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Rolling\_Hand](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/919ad9/32.png) [@Rolling\_Hand](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/Rolling_Hand)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2003, 3:39am UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/centreline-theory/19082/13 "2003-03-21T03:39:41Z")
Gotcha! –What is the definition and understanding of centreline theory as taught in your school?–EnterTheWhip A smile is the shortest distance between two people.–RH ---
**Author:** ![canglong](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forum.kungfumagazine.com/canglong/32/343_2.png) [@canglong](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/canglong)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2003, 5:47pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/centreline-theory/19082/14 "2003-03-21T17:47:18Z")
fau kiu If there is a referee in between you and your apponent finding the apponent’s centerline will be extremely difficult. ---
**Author:** ![crimsonking](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e56c9b/32.png) [@crimsonking](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/crimsonking)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2003, 6:57pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/centreline-theory/19082/15 "2003-03-21T18:57:47Z")
How about: The centerline theory of Wing Chun dictates that the centerline of the body is always protected. The centerline is defined in reference to self. If one was to imagine the apex of a triangle emanating from her body in front of her, and her shoulders and hips as different points on the base of the triangle, the apex would be pinpointing where her centerline is. All blocking and attacking techniques are fought along the centerline relative to your opponent. To ensure that the centerline attack is effective, the centerline has to face the opponent in combat; a Wing Chun artist follows and faces his opponent as if he was the shadow of the person (see Appendix). Controlling the centerline is the ultimate theoretical goal in Wing Chun. If, through hand and leg techniques, you occupy and control the centerline, your opponent must move off or try to change the centerline in order to injure you. By doing this he must use circular or indirect moves away from the initial centerline, which, then opens him to further attack as he has left a breach in his defense. As a result, all Wing Chun techniques are linear. This segues into the next principle. Since a Wing Chun artist fights on his centerline, emanating from the middle of his body in relation to his opponent, all his techniques, by necessity, are linear. The straight-line principle states that the shortest, and most economical and efficient distance between two points is along a straight-line. If all other things are equal, the fighter who occupies the centerline using linear techniques will hit his opponent first. This is what gives Wing Chun the illusion of being a brutally fast martial art. In fact, quickness has little to do with the results, when in fact it is superior position and technique that determine success. The moment that techniques become non-linear, they contradict the two previous principles of efficiency and centerline. ---
**Author:** ![yuanfen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/ecae2f/32.png) [@yuanfen](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/yuanfen)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2003, 7:11pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/centreline-theory/19082/16 "2003-03-21T19:11:58Z")
crimsonking sez: ## The moment that techniques become non-linear, they contradict the two previous principles of efficiency and centerline Depends on meanings and context and details— circles can effectively help control, attack on or defend the centerline. A circular saw on the line is a dangerous thing… Fak, huen etc… joy ---
**Author:** ![reneritchie](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forum.kungfumagazine.com/reneritchie/32/181_2.png) [@reneritchie](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/reneritchie)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2003, 7:18pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/centreline-theory/19082/17 "2003-03-21T19:18:58Z")
Straight lines are just special curves. It all depends on how you plot things. Run across a busy street without getting hit can look straight if you freeze the space and stretch out the time. Is the straight line the fastest path or is the fastest path the straight line? ---
**Author:** ![Matrix](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forum.kungfumagazine.com/matrix/32/240_2.png) [@Matrix](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/Matrix)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2003, 10:08pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/centreline-theory/19082/18 "2003-03-21T22:08:07Z")
> Originally posted by reneritchie > Run across a busy street without getting hit can look straight if you freeze the space and stretch out the time. Is the straight line the fastest path or is the fastest path the straight line? > I know that Montrealers consider j-walking to be an artform and a right of passage. 🆒 > Is the fastest path, always the most effective path? Matrix ---
**Author:** ![reneritchie](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forum.kungfumagazine.com/reneritchie/32/181_2.png) [@reneritchie](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/reneritchie)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2003, 10:16pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/centreline-theory/19082/19 "2003-03-21T22:16:35Z")
> I know that Montrealers consider j-walking to be an artform and a right of passage It’s more an everyday fact of life. You have no idea how confusing it is for us when we go to other strange cities and see people just stopped, standing at a curb. Major heebeegeebees. ---
**Author:** ![Matrix](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forum.kungfumagazine.com/matrix/32/240_2.png) [@Matrix](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/Matrix)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2003, 10:29pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/centreline-theory/19082/20 "2003-03-21T22:29:08Z")
> Originally posted by reneritchie > You have no idea how confusing it is for us when we go to other strange cities and see people just stopped, standing at a curb. Major heebeegeebees. > Actually I do. I was born and raised in Montreal. Worked downtown for many years. I know exactly what you mean. Now it seems weird when I go back. I guess you can teach an old dog new tricks. 😛 Matrix