The Curious Case Of The Missing Slant Kick: Part 2

Yes, every point of the form has context and meaning, but not every missing point is a revelation or equally profound.

- Alex Richter

The first justification for finishing the form in the same spot where one begins is the most intellectually lazy one, in my opinion.

Although martial arts newcomers may not immediately understand this, there is a point, albeit a weak one. If one performs a martial art form symmetrical in choreography, then one should finish in the same spot as one started. This would be an indication of having very consistent and standardised footwork. Therefore, the utility of finishing a form in the same spot where one starts is not at question here.

What I find lazy about this argument is an assumption that the founders of Wing Chun could not figure out how to incorporate a right Slant Kick into the form and still finish in the same spot. Most martial art forms finish where they start because they are symmetrical in choreography, they are not asymmetrical. I think the average Wing Chun master could take five minutes to figure out how to add a right Slant Kick and footwork and still finish in the same position. After all, as I mentioned, many of Grandmaster Ip Man’s descendants have successfully included the right Slant Kick in their Chum Kiu and seemingly finish in the same place. So, for these reasons, I find the first justification lazy and unhelpful, and not the least bit profound.