The WingTsun   Long Pole   and   Its Concepts

The WingTsun long pole is generally 8.5 to 9 feet long, which equals about 10 Chinese feet in length. It is nicknamed the "rat-tail pole" because one end, called the tail, is smaller in diameter than the thicker end, which is called the head. The pole is typically made of ironwood or teak and worked to have a smooth surface.
The luk dim boon gwun form is simple, precise, and elegant. Possessing only 7 key techniques, the sequence of the form is also rather compact - showing the efficient nature of WingTsun. Like the empty-hand WingTsun system, the long pole is based on a number of key theories which - once understood - enable the practitioner to correct and refine his own movements.
One of the most popular WingTsun theories - often misconstrued as relating to fist-fighting techniques - actually applies to pole-fighting. The so-called "four gates" or "four quadrants" theory comes from a long pole motto that states, "One centerline, two axes (axis), three levels, four quadrants".

The interpretation of this motto relies on 3-dimensional geometry. The "one line" is the pole itself as seen from the bird's eye view. The "two axes" refer to a horizontal X-axis and Y-axis that describe the extremes of the pole's lateral range moving left or right, as seen from the bird's eye view. This is also called sin min gwun (fan surface pole), as the concept resembles an opened Chinese fan. The third motto is the "three levels" concept. This represents the Z-axis and is broken down into 3 key levels: high, middle, and low target areas as viewed horizontally by the person using the long pole.
Lastly, you have the four quadrants theory (often called four gates), which is the most important in terms of understanding the key usage of the long pole. There is an ancient Chinese saying which states, "One person guards the gate and 10,000 intruders cannot go in." In fact, this saying directly relates to the long pole's original usage. Much like a hermit crab that defends itself through the small opening of its shell, the pole man was commonly employed to guard a narrow gate, entrance, or doorway.

Basic Training for the Long Pole
The WingTsun empty-hand system uses stances and footwork optimized for weaponless fighting. The basic yee chi kim yeung mah (character two adduction stance), the sideling stance, and the advancing (or fighting stance) are all rather narrow and high.
However, the main pole stance, gwun mah, is much lower and wider to allow better leverage in manipulating the long weapon. This low stance, combined with the stepping from the empty-hand system, provides leverage, stability, and quick steps.
In the beginning, students are taught the gwun mah (quadrilateral pole stance), in addition to stepping and punching exercises. Once the student possesses a firm stance, he will learn simple strength training exercises in which the pole is raised and lowered. These exercises are required for the student to have the strength necessary to perform the long pole form and chi-gwun exercises. With time, a proficient WingTsun pole expert can maneuver the pole as easily as if it were a chopstick.

Grandmaster Leung Ting - Gwun Mah / Biu Lung Cheong

Next, the student will combine the basic footwork and pole techniques to step and thrust, press down with the pole, raise the pole, and advance. Students at this stage will practice the biu lung cheong (thrusting dragon spear), an exercise where the student will aim, step, and apply a spearing thrust with the pole at a small target such as a suspended bell. By using progressively smaller targets and putting them in motion, the WingTsun practitioner can improve his marksmanship and speed.
Finally, when a student has developed sufficient strength and exhibits proficiency in the basic stances, footwork and pole movements, he is ready to learn the Luk Dim Boon Gwun Long Pole form.
 

Part from "WingTsun's Devastating Long Pole" by Jeff Webb and Leung Ting

Source: Kung Fu Magazine