Every Wing Chun student makes mistakes. I did, the instructors at our school did, and every senior student you’ll train alongside did too. Mistakes are simply part of learning a skill. The important thing is to recognise them and correct them before they become habits. This article covers six of the most common beginner mistakes we see, why they happen and how we help you fix them.
1. Tense shoulders
What it looks like
Shoulders creep up towards the ears, especially when concentrating or working with a partner.
Why it matters
Tension slows your movements, tires you out and makes it easier for a partner to feel what you’re about to do. It also blocks the transfer of power from your body into your arms.
How we fix it
Constant, gentle reminders. We’ll ask you to breathe out and let your shoulders drop. Slow practice of Siu Nim Tao helps you notice tension and release it. Over time, relaxation becomes your default.
2. Leaning
What it looks like
Leaning forward to reach a partner, or back to avoid them, instead of staying upright in the stance.
Why it matters
Leaning breaks your structure and balance. A leaning student is easy to pull or push off balance.
How we fix it
We work on the stance and footwork so you can adjust distance with your feet rather than your upper body. Instructors will check your posture during drills and help you find an upright, stable position.
3. Chasing hands
What it looks like
Following your partner’s hands wherever they go, rather than protecting and working along the centreline.
Why it matters
Chasing pulls your hands away from the centre, opening gaps in your guard. It also makes you reactive rather than in control.
How we fix it
We teach you to focus on the centreline and your partner’s centre, not their hands. Drills and, later, chi sau build the sensitivity to respond to what you feel rather than chasing what you see.
4. Wide elbows
What it looks like
Elbows flaring out to the side during punches and hand techniques.
Why it matters
The elbow is the key to Wing Chun structure. When it drifts out, the technique leaves the centreline and loses power and protection.
How we fix it
We’ll show you where the elbow should be for each technique, often using simple checks such as a partner’s hand or a mirror. Practising the straight punch and the hand shapes slowly, with attention to the elbow, makes a big difference.
5. Holding the breath
What it looks like
Holding the breath during effort, especially in partner work or chain punching.
Why it matters
Holding the breath creates tension, drains energy and makes you tire quickly.
How we fix it
We remind you to breathe naturally and steadily. We often pause drills to check breathing. It sounds simple, but it’s one of the most useful habits you can develop.
6. Rushing the forms
What it looks like
Racing through Siu Nim Tao to get to the end, or trying to learn the next section before the current one is correct.
Why it matters
The forms build structure and relaxation. Rushing hides mistakes and wastes the form’s value.
How we fix it
We teach the form section by section and encourage slow, careful practice. Accuracy first; speed later. There’s more about the first form on our Siu Nim Tao page.
Mistakes are normal
If you recognise yourself in some of these, don’t worry. That’s completely normal, and it means you’re learning. Our instructors will help you, one detail at a time, and you’ll gradually notice the corrections becoming habits. In partner work, adults practise applications, applying techniques with a partner in a controlled way, and that’s where many of these mistakes show up and get corrected.
Where our students come from
Our students come from Halesowen and across the surrounding area. If you’re based nearby, our Wing Chun in Dudley page has more information for students travelling from that direction.
Learn it right from the start
Adult classes run Monday to Thursday, 7:15 pm to 8:15 pm, and Friday, 7:05 pm to 8:05 pm. Read more on the adult Wing Chun classes page, then book your free trial class. You’ll find the full timetable on our Wing Chun classes in Halesowen page.
Sifu Alan Bagley, Wing Chun Halesowen
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