Lin Wan Kune 连环拳 (chain punching)
There are basic ways and advanced ways to throw punches in wing chun. Basic wing chun punches are linear chain punches – this can get you out of a sticky situation, but it’s usually overkill, exhausting, and relatively ignorant of what’s coming back at you.
Advanced punching is counter punching. It varies based on what move you’re dealing with in the moment. We can still chain these advanced punches together, to create powerful bareknuckle boxing combinations that flow smoothly and adapt to the situation spontaneously, although such an advanced level of Wing Chun where it merges seamlessly with the sweet science of old-school bareknuckle dirty boxing, is scarcely found in Wing Chun schools today.
Basic linear chain-punching
Lin Wan Kune 连环拳 (chain punching) in its basic linear form, generally targets the nose & philtrum (GV/DU 25, 26 & 27 acupressure points), or the cheekbone (SI18) – it varies depending how tall you are in respect to them, and how the target head is leaning.
Chain punches are not designed to be very accurate or powerful, they’re designed to be cumulative & overwhelming by repeatedly hitting the approximate area quickly & frequently.

Real live examples of basic linear chain punching include:
- Bruce Lee’s sparring demo at the Long Beach International Karate Championships (California) in 1967, where Bruce does a front sidekick to the ribs as his opponent steps into his kicking range, followed by a burst of chain punches as the opponent falls forward with his head, until the opponent falls back.
- Josh Warrington’s IBF boxing world title defence against Kid Galahad in 2019, where Josh repeatedly runs forward throwing flurries of straight punches, quite effectively steamrolling through Kid Galahad’s very crafty defence.
Both of these examples work well at stopping the opponent from immediately stepping back out of range (something which regularly makes chain punches appear ineffective in contests between unprepared Wing Chun practitioners and experienced combat sportsmen) – the first example makes the opponent fall forward head-first into the chain punches, and the second one chases him down quicker than he can retreat.
Dynamic chain-punching
Advanced chain punching breaks free of the linear path. It incorporates hooks, uppercuts and backfists, backed by dynamic footwork. This makes accuracy even less important (for several reasons, including easier recovery, and increased probability of hitting accurately with the next shot and catching the opponent by surprise with it), while maximising the confusion and overwhelming of your opponent, maximising your capability of concussing a durable opponent, and maximising your balance to minimise your own fatigue and tension thus making you more quick, agile, powerful and hard to counter.
To the untrained eye, dynamic chain punching may look like random combinations; but there is a fine art to making the flow effortlessly smooth, natural, balanced, tension-free, quick and powerful, especially when the gloves are off.
Non-linear punching is rarely trained in Ip Man lineages of Wing Chun (especially outside of solo form routines), but is frequently trained in the ancestral styles that predate him.
Five Elements Chain Punching
The most natural & balanced flow of combination punching matches the Dynamic Five Elements’ Cycle of Creation & Nurturing (Fire feeds into Earth which feeds into Metal (& Crystal) which feeds into Water which feeds into Wood (& Organic substance) which feeds back into Fire and the cycle continues).
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