The centreline and its significance is one of the most debated aspects of Wing Chun theory. Those described here reflect the common wisdom relating to centreline theory and the way in which it is often explained to students at The Nottingham University Club.

Physically the centreline is the centre of the body’s mass as represented as a line passing vertically through the body. This means that the centre line can change as a person moves and changes position. This also means that where your centreline is has implications for movement and its efficient use.

The centreline is frequently also described as a vertical line that passes down through the centre of the human body from the crown down to the groin. In some ways the defence of this line represents the protective doctrine of Wing Chun. Along the centre line, or just to either side are a some of the most vulnerable areas of the body: eyes, nose, point of chin, throat, neck, heart, solar plexus, dantien (three inches below the naval), and groin. On the back the base of the skull and the entire spine are the vulnerable areas.

The centreline as represented as an arrow pointing directly to the front of a person has implications for the strategy of Wing Chun. If your centreline is facing an opponent then you can use both hands and both legs to defend and attack with out having to give preference to one side. If your centreline is not facing an opponent you can not use all your weapons (hands, feet etc) equally, your options become diminished and you are more easily controlled and dominated. So, rather than fighting from a position which has both you and your opponent facing each other (centreline to centreline), if you can position yourself so that your centreline is facing your opponent and theirs is not facing you, then your are in a strong position.