Effectiveness and Efficiency
Effectiveness and efficiency are the main aspects of WingChun. We are taught to quickly determine the best technique for each situation instead of following a fixed doctrine. A precise, swift, and powerful movement at the right time is preferred over a large quantity of movements. WingChun seems very fast as a consequence of its emphasis on efficiency.
Flexibility
WingChun has multiple body and limb positions and angles for attack and defense. You are taught to seek the strongest position and most advantageous line of attack. For example, an attack at an outside angle can beat a straight counter attack.
Body Mechanics
WingChun emphasizes natural movement instead of trying to force the body into awkward positions in order to conform to stringent principles. You use technique instead of just physical strength, power, and speed. Correct use of body mechanics enhances your physical attributes. Stabilization of the body is essential for both defense and offense. Generating power to overcome an opponent's inertia requires proper body alignment and muscle coordination. Also, a defense must be structurally strong to withstand a collision from a powerful strike.
Constant Protection
The WingChun guard positions provide protection when attacking. Unlike many other martial arts, you are not required to wait for an opening in an opponent's guard to attack. WingChun has techniques to attack and/or break the opponent's guard, therefore, a lot of moving around and faking is not necessary in order to find an opening.
Attacking in Defense
In WingChun, you always seek to attack whenever possible. Two methods of defense are to attack directly to the opponent's body or his attacking limb. This puts you on the offensive instead of blocking, dodging, covering up, or catching and then redirecting a strike's momentum. The purpose is to damage the attacker as soon as any part of his body becomes a threat.
Sticking and Freeing
WingChun is famous for its effective methods of checking an opponent's limbs at close striking range. When your opponent maintains contact with a part of your body, you know what he is doing because you can feel his movement and can protect yourself by blocking its path. WingChun teaches how to control an attacker at close range by pinning and trapping arms and legs and diverting their incoming force, therefore, preventing an opponent from launching multiple attacks. Freeing techniques are used to get rid of the opponent's limbs and allow you to attack.
Close Distance
Although prepared for all ranges, a WingChun stylist is most effective inside long range. Many other martial arts move back and forth from striking distance. However, as a self-defense system, WingChun is designed to continue the fight from long range into a closer distance. Staying close to the opponent minimizes his chance to find the range to launch a powerful strike. The opponent cannot kick you if you stay with him while he steps back.