• Introduction
• Green Belt Curriculum
• High Green Belt Curriculum
• Green Belt Reading List

The color green represents the grass and trees which grow deep roots and begin to tower over the land. It is a time of sturdiness, growth, and reliability. Green is also the first intermediate color, and signifies that the basics of white and yellow can now be utilized. The Green Belt Student is further introduced to the principles of the energy of water, and hence learns the flow and control of that element.

Introduction

As a new green belt, it is important that you have an understanding of the intermediate phase of training that you have now entered. Green Belt is not only a time of newfound power and focus, but also a time of returning to basics. Many students end up hitting the “Green Belt wall”- in other words, a major difference in the pace of their training. What creates the major shift in most Green Belts’ training is where you have your “poles reversed”. Green Belts are in a phase of their learning where they must not only learn more, but also refine the movements learned during the Yellow and White Belt phases – a refinement that will never end as long as you train (diligently) in the Martial Arts. After the rapid growth of White and Yellow Belt, Green Belt will seem almost overwhelming. The brand new concepts of sticky hands (Chi Sau), and going back to build on the more subtle aspects of the basics program may seem tedious and boring to some students, however it is extremely important and challenging. Be prepared to spend some quality time at Green Belt – remember – work smart and hard.

The concept of redefining and expanding your roots (basics) and growing forward to explore the new concepts (chi sau; grappling) simultaneously mirrors the image of the grass and trees growing deeper in the places you cannot see, but also growing (albeit more slowly) in the places you can see. This is the essence of the water ranks in the Quantum Style – the growth will not be as noticeable to the student as it used to be. Like the way that water slowly moves rock, slow and steady patience will get you through this phase of your training. Focus on the concepts at hand, not on getting another belt and you will be successful. Chi Sau and grappling training are much more difficult to understand, as you are looking for a feeling, not a particular way to move your body. This takes plenty of time and energy, and frustration often accompanies this phase of your training. Green Belts are encouraged to remember that frustration is present more often when actual learning is happening and not when you are feeling good.

Green Belt also marks new responsibilities in the form of expanded leadership on the floor, running warm – ups and taking a more active approach to assisting on the floor (when requested). Green Belts are also welcome to the Instructor’s training course (permission is required).

Other changes you may notice will be in your sparring. Green Belt sparring begins to include the concept of grappling, as well as other expanded Wing Chun ideas. When fighting with Yellow Belts, you need to see if you can put them at a trapping to a grappling range – they will continue to try to keep you away so they can develop and use their long range kicking skills. When fighting with your peers you will attempt to fight at a trapping hands distance, and possibly look for opportunities for standing submissions, or simple take downs. When fighting with Blue Belts (or above) they will be putting you in standing grappling positions or looking for takedowns. Green Belts should be seeking the outside hands/ trapping range learning to fight by “feel” from the inside. If you find yourself in a position where you are going to the ground, don’t resist – take your ground safely and remember that you are still learning. Every time you go to the ground is an opportunity for you to learn, and it doesn’t mean that you have “lost”. Remember that sparring is not fighting – it is training. As the sparring becomes more detailed, the requirements to purchase sparring gear will become a necessary one. Hand and foot protection are a must, as are mouth guards. Later, head protection may also be needed, as well as forearm and shin pads. A cup supporter is also recommended for male students.

Classroom requirements for maintaining rank actually take effect at the intermediate level as well. Minimum attendance requirements for Green Belts are an average of 2.4 classes a week. High Green must maintain 2.8 times a week, and so on.

The concepts that we learn to employ from Wing Chun are markedly different from the Tae Kwon Do that you have been learning. Where TKD tends to move in rigid straight lines, Wing Chun tends to move in more circular, flowing applications. It becomes even more obvious when you start to notice the difference between the elements of Earth & Water. A successful Green Belt must understand the relationship between these two elements in order to continue to grow towards the next element at Blue Belt, which is Air. Understanding that all trees and grass need Water and Earth to survive – a tricky place to be, as one could end up with mud instead of growth.

In essence, a Green Belt must continue to sink roots to further understand Earth, as well as learning to flow to understand Water, at the same time reaching for the sky for the eventual growth into Blue Belt. Truly this is a different level of challenges than the time of White and Yellow, where one is expected only to work with the concepts of Earth. Green Belt also tends to be the time where many students drop out of the Martial Arts. Be aware and try not to burn out – try to pace your training so that you can make it through. With hard work and patience, Green Belt can be a very rewarding time in the Martial Arts.

Green Belt Curriculum (6th Gup)

• Green Belt Techniques
• Green Belt One Steps
• Green Belt Form

Green Belt Techniques

Forty classroom hours are required before testing. Also, green students must read the books listed on the Green Belt reading list, and begin to lead warm-ups before classes.

Green Belt One Steps

Attack

All one step attackers step back into a fighting stance, and step forward in a fighting stance.

Defense

1. Drop on right knee, knife hand rising block and rising reverse ridge hand simultaneously. Grab the back of attacker’s leg with the right hand, take down and leg weave to a pin and hog-tie.
2. Step forward with the left foot, front stance, knife hand rising block. Reverse horizontal elbow strike (outside – inside). Grab back of attacker’s head, and execute a vertical knee strike to the face.
3. Step backwards with the right foot while pivoting 90 to the left to a fighting stance, knife hand middle block, right ridge hand strike to the groin. Using both hands, execute a clockwise wrist lock, while pivoting 270 to the right, stepping with the right foot. Round kick to the face, then ax kick to the back of the head.

Green Belt Form

Attitude
Video: Mr. Ben-Ammi teaching Attitude 6:06

1. Shift the balance to the right foot, pivot 90 to the left, and step forward back stance, double knife hand guarding block.
2. Front leg front kick, step down in a front stance and punch.
3. Reverse punch
4. Shift the balance to the right foot. Step the left foot over in front of the right and pivot 180 to the right to a back stance, double knife hand guarding block.
5. Front leg front kick, step down to a front stance, punch.
6. Reverse punch.
7. Shift the balance to the right foot, pivot 90 to the left. Step forward front stance, reverse punch.
8. Reverse back fist.
9. Side kick, step forward front stance, reverse punch.
10. Reverse back fist.
11. Round kick, kihap. Then step forward back stance double knife hand guarding block
12. Shift the balance to the left foot and pivot 270 to the right. Assume a back stance, square block.
13. Side punch (low).
14. Slide side kick, step forward while pivoting 180 to the left and assume a back stance double knife hand guarding block.
15. Slide up and step forward to a back stance, square block.
16. Side punch (low).
17. Slide side kick, step forward while pivoting 180 to the right and assume a back stance, double knife hand guarding block.
18. Shift the balance to the left foot. Turn your attention 90 to the left and step forward back stance, guarding block.
19. Jump rear leg front kick and land in a back stance, middle block (palm out).
20. Side punch (low).
21. Back fist (temple).
22. Reverse punch and kihap.
23. Pull the left foot up behind the right leg while pivoting 90 to the left and assume a crane stance, double scissors block.
24. Grab attacker’s head and execute a left vertical knee strike to the chin. Step forward to a front stance, reverse ridge hand strike (temple).
25. Pull the left foot to the right foot and pivot 90 to the right and execute closed ready stance (B).
26. Pivot 90 to the right while pulling your right foot up behind your left and assume a crane stance, double scissors block.
27. Grab the back of attacker’s head and execute a right vertical knee strike to the chin. Step forward to a front stance, reverse ridge hand strike (temple).
28. Shift the balance to the left foot, pivot 90 to the left and execute a double side kick. Step forward to a fighting stance.
29. Jump front leg side kick. Shift your attention 90 to the left while landing in a horse stance and execute a right elbow strike.
30. Pull the right foot in to shoulder width and straighten your legs. Execute a double down block.
31. Step forward with the left foot to a front stance, knife hand down block.
32. Reverse horizontal spear hand to the throat.
33. Step the left foot over in front of the right and pivot 180 to the right. Assume a back stance, double knife hand guarding block.
34. Slide the left foot up to the right foot, and turn your attention 180 to the left. Step backwards with the right foot to a back stance, double knife hand guarding block.
35. Jump front leg side kick. Shift your attention 90 to the right while landing in a horse stance and execute a left horizontal target elbow strike.
36. Shift the balance to the right foot. Shift your attention 270 to the right, while pivoting your body 90 to the right and assume a fighting stance.
37. Round kick, step forward fighting stance. Jump turn side kick, land in a back stance middle block (palm out).
38. Side punch (low).
39. Back fist (temple).
40. Reverse punch, kihap.
41. Step backwards, front stance knife hand rising block.
42. Step backwards, front stance punch.
43. Reverse punch.
44. Jump up in the air and switch feet landing in a back stance, double knife hand guarding block.
45. Spin crescent kick, stepping backwards to a back stance double knife hand guarding block (low).
46. Left foot back to open ready stance (B).

High Green Belt Curriculum (5th Gup)

• High Green Belt Techniques
• High Green Belt One Steps
• High Green Form

High Green Belt Techniques

High green students must understand Chi Sau and grappling exercises.

High Green Belt One Steps

4.

Attacker: Rear Leg Front Kick
Defender: Out to in crescent block with the right foot, then turning sidekick.

5.

Attacker: Lunge punch
Defender: Step forward with the right foot 45 to the left to a front stance, middle block (O-I) and reverse palm block (O-I). Place both hands on the ground, and execute a scissors take down. Then, execute a left axe kick or a right dropping roundhouse to the solar plexus.

6.

Attacker: Lunge punch
Defender: Step forward with the left foot 45 to a fighting stance, and simultaneously execute a right horizontal elbow strike (O-I) and a left rising block. Grab the attacker’s shoulder and their right wrist, and sweep their front leg with a right axe kick. Take down and execute a nerve strike to the armpit.

High Green Belt Form

Waterfall

Start from Closed ready stance C.

1. Step forward 45 with the left foot to a front stance, twin uppercut.
2. Front kick, step forward front stance, wedge block.
3. Shift the balance to the left foot and pivot 90 to the right to a front stance, low X- block.
4. Snapping crescent kick (I-O), step forward front stance, reverse punch.
5. Shift the balance to the left foot and pivot 225 to the right. Execute a back stance, knife hand down block.
6. Reverse palm block (O-I).
7. Protected back fist to the bridge of the nose, kihap.
8. Keeping your attention focused the same direction, pivot 135 to the left to a front stance. Execute a right down block and a left back fist simultaneously.
9. Left leg hook kick, step forward back stance, low double knife hand guarding block.
10. Ridge hand middle block.
11. Scissor block.
12. Turn around, back stance palm block (O-I).
13. Back fist to the temple, then slide front leg hook kick, step forward to a front stance downwards knife hand strike.
14. Turn your attention 90 to the left, and execute a diamond block with the left down block forward and the right rising block 90 to the right.
15. Step the left foot over to a back stance, side punch.
16. Step the left foot over to a front stance, twin punch (high).
17. Step forward to a back stance, side punch.
18. Step the right foot over to a front stance, twin punch (high).
19. Rear leg fake, front leg sidekick, kihap. Land in a back stance, double knife hand guarding block.
20. Shift your attention 90 to the right, and execute a left leg turning sidekick to the knee (snapping), then round kick to the temple (ball of the foot). Step forward to a back stance, horizontal hammer fist to the temple.
21. Reverse punch.
22. Tension grabbing block.
23. While holding on to your attacker’s arm, execute a front leg sidekick to the ribs and step forward to a back stance reverse uppercut, and kihap.
24. Turn your attention 180 to the right and execute a left leg ball of the foot round kick, step forward fighting stance.
25. Spin hook kick. Rotate 360 all the way around, then turn your attention 180 to the right to a back stance low knife hand X-block.
26. Grab attacker’s foot pull and back to left chamber. Immediately step the right foot over to a front stance, protected reverse punch.
27. Shift the balance to the left foot and pivot 270 to the left. Step backwards to a back stance, double knife hand guarding block.
28. Step forward while rotating 180 to the left to a back stance double knife hand low guarding block
29. Shift the balance to the right foot, and pivot 180 to the left. Step forward double knife hand guarding block.
30. Shift your attention 90 to the left, and step forward to a horse stance, low X- block.
31. High X- block.
32. Twin Punch and kihap.
33. Shift the balance to the left foot and slide the right foot to shoulder width to the right and assume a front stance (maintain your attention to the left) and execute a reverse scooping block.
34. Left leg sidekick (towards the left) step forward to a front stance, reverse target elbow strike.
35. Shift the balance to the left foot, pivot 90 to the right and execute a front stance knife hand strike and reverse knife hand rising block simultaneously.
36. Jump 45 round kick, land in a fighting stance.
37. Spin knife hand strike (low)
38. Knife hand strike (High).
39. Pop up hook kick, land in a horse stance, right horizontal spear hand.
40. Left ridge hand.
41. Right target elbow strike.
42. Scissor block. (Left arm down.)
43. Pivot 45 to the right to a front stance reverse scooping block. (But maintain your attention)
44. Pivot 135 to the left to a back stance single knife hand guarding block.
45. Reverse target middle punch, while pulling your left foot back to walking stance.
46. Step forward to a front stance, knife hand strike. (O-I).
47. Knife hand down block.
48. Reverse vertical spear hand (protected)
49. Front kick, then jump front kick. Land in a front stance, triple punch, and kihap. (High, high, low).
50. Target tornado kick, land in a fighting stance.
51. Spin hook kick, rotate 270 and step backwards to a back stance, double knife hand guarding block.
52. Step forward while rotating 180 to the left and execute a back stance knife hand square block.
53. Right foot forward to ready stance.