How to Prevent Common Wing Chun Injuries

Like all martial arts, Wing Chun carries a risk of injury. The Wing Chun philosophy includes using the body intelligently, rather than brute force, to defeat an opponent. Wing Chun martial artists believe size and strength are irrelevant. Athletes who are less skilled in Wing Chun can follow some basic guidelines to prevent common injuries.

Things You'll Need

  • Protective sparring gear
  • Athletic tape
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Instructions

    • 1

      Learn the art from a skilled Wing Chun instructor, called a sifu. Experienced Wing Chun artists pass on ancient methods for protecting the body and preventing injury. Also, improper stance and technique accounts for many martial arts injuries. Call a local martial arts studio and ask if it offers Wing Chun classes. If it doesn't, you can probably get a referral to another studio that does.

    • 2

      Warm up properly before a training session. You can easily pull or strain a muscle if you attempt to kick or hit an opponent with cold muscles. Show up to your lessons early and be prepared by the time class starts. Tardiness often results in a sub-standard warm-up.

    • 3

      Wear protective gear when sparring during a training session. One of the characteristics of Wing Chun is quickly injuring the opponent. Wing Chun is not a performance martial art, and every hit is intended to disable.

    • 4

      Wrap your wrists and ankles to provide additional support while you're kicking and punching your opponent.

    • 5

      Train in moderation, especially if you're new to the sport. Overuse injuries are common in martial arts. If you're experiencing excessive muscle soreness or joint pain, take some time off before your next training session.

    • 6

      Drink plenty of water before, during and after your workout. Dehydration can contribute to muscle injuries and sprains.