Sifu John Lobb: Issue 84

Wing Chun Illustrated Issue 84, featuring Sifu John Lobb, is now available globally in paperback on Amazon, as a premium hardcover at WCIPremium.com, digitally on the Apple App Store and Google Play, or via WCINewsstand.com.

"Always excellently done, always thought-provoking, always interesting content, very well balanced, and always presented with grace and respect for all. I wish that all our Wing Chun brothers and sisters were as mindful in their day-to-day interactions with each other."

LARRY BUTLER

United States

The simple and profound truth about Wing Chun Illustrated is that it delivers! In a world where bias is omnipresent, hagiography widespread, and superficiality the norm, Wing Chun Illustrated truly does provide a forum for many perspectives and approaches, always with depth and content—meaning that it’s impossible to pick up an issue without gaining new, worthwhile insight into our beloved art. Truly, if one is serious about understanding Wing Chun, regardless of spelling tradition, Wing Chun Illustrated is de rigueur. Consequently, never settle for “just” present and future issues, but do get the full package, including all the back issues!

CHRISTIAN A. STEWART-FERRER

Denmark

This is an impressive magazine and I am set back with each issue by its quality of appearance and content. Clearly, this has the potential to overshadow many other national martial arts publications. Stay the course and always protect the line. Excellent job. As always, thanks and continued success.

MOSES McCLENDON

United States

I have purchased Wing Chun Illustrated in printed format and I have to say that it is simply the highest quality magazine I have ever owned! Beyond the quality paper and printing techniques utilised, the articles themselves are thorough and true to the Wing Chun system. I really appreciate owning a piece of history and I look forward to future issues!

JAMES BUMPAS

United States

I have looked forward to this magazine for months and was not at all disappointed. The articles are well written, nonbiased, and most importantly very informative. This is the first magazine that I have ever read from cover to cover. I’m encouraging all of my Wing Chun brothers and students to subscribe. I’m very much looking forward to the next issue!

WIZE SHABAZZ

United States

I have been practising Wing Chun for the best part of 30 years. In my time, I have read a huge amount of material on the art; however, I can honestly say that your magazine is by a long, long way the finest collection of articles I have come across. The fact that all views (and you and I both know there are so many) on the art of Wing Chun are made readily available in one place, without prejudice, is really inspirational and will hopefully serve as a guiding light and a template for dialogue within the art itself.

CHRIS HARVEY

United Kingdom

Sifu John Lobb Cover Feature

JOHN LOBB
Forward Thinking, Reverse Engineering
By Glenn Landers & Eric Lilleør
Running a full-time Kwoon in Warrington, England, Sifu John Lobb leads a rigorous schedule – coaching, training and continually refining his craft. In this revealing interview, he charts his journey from full-contact roots to becoming one of the foremost representatives of the Gary Lam/Wong Shun Leung lineage. Lobb discusses the evolution of his practice, the profound influence of Sifu Gary Lam, and the creation of his pressure-tested, reverse-engineered Wing Chun method. He reflects on structure, intent, teaching and mindset, offering valuable insight into preserving the essence of Wing Chun while adapting it for real-world application, growth and personal transformation.

Columns

MARTIAL MASTERY
Ancient Wisdom, Modern Knowledge
Wing Chun in China’s Zeitgeist
By Oliver König
A journey through modern China reveals how Wing Chun continues to evolve, bridging ancient philosophy and contemporary culture while remaining rooted in tradition and inspiring a new generation of practitioners across East and West.

TALKING HANDS
About Face!
Chiu Ying’s “Rule of Two”
By Glenn Landers
From day one, lesson one, Siu Nim Tau positions the practitioner squarely against an imaginary, fixed target – but to what end? Sifu Landers explores Chiu Ying (“Square Facing”), a catalyst for WSLVT’s aggressive fighting mechanisms.

THE MARTIAL MIND
Building the Base
Mastering the Wing Chun Horse Stance
By Kyle and Ted Ritter
Can stillness be the key to true power? Yee Gee Kim Yeung Ma embodies balance, rootedness and control. It is the source from where energy flows – the wellspring of force.

THE INNER CIRCLE
Leung Siu Wing
Keeper of the Old Ways
By Jim Roselando Jr & Zhang Tianyu
Although little known in the international Wing Chun community, Master Leung Siu Wing is a senior figure in Mainland China’s Gulao Wing Chun tradition, having begun his journey over 60 years ago.

THE STRAIGHT LEAD
Jeet Kune Do
Safe and Legal?
By Jason Korol
Training techniques for the school, ring or cage could land you in a jail cell. Learn the keys to practising Jeet Kune Do safely – and legally.

Features

INSIDE THE ALPACA FRAMEWORK
Redefining the Wing Tsun Professional
By Jose Reyes
Sifu Allan Horton shares how Wing Tsun, coaching and architecture intersect – offering busy professionals a modern, adaptable path to self-development rooted in tradition, discipline and personal growth.

SPARRING WITH PURPOSE
Bridging the Gap Between Training and Reality
By Alan Paterson & Kul Rai
Can sparring be both realistic and safe? Explore how ego-free sparring builds adaptability, resilience and confidence – bridging the gap between Wing Chun training and real-world conflict through intelligent, progressive pressure testing.

MASTER GWOK WAI ZAAM
A Light Carried Forward
By Zhang Tianyu
A tribute to the late Master Gwok Wai Zaam, highlighting his lifelong dedication to Wing Chun, his contributions to its development and preservation, and the enduring legacy he leaves through his disciples and global influence.

ONE STRATEGY, DIFFERENT TIMINGS
Biu Tze and Wooden Dummy Chi Sau
By Samuel Lutz
True mastery in WingTsun is not about switching tactics, but deepening one method until it becomes adaptable, alive and inseparable from the practitioner.

NO ROOM FOR ILLUSION
Training for Reality or Playing Pretend?
By Jason Hancock
Are your Wing Chun training methodologies realistic in a real-world situation? Break free from technical repetition and the comfort zone of Chi Sau – train for survival through realism, situational awareness and decisive intent, not performance or routine.

Departments

STRUCTURE AND APPLICATION
Wing Chun Pole Core Training
By Dr Robert Chu
Sifu Chu presents a guide to essential Wing Chun Long Pole training, featuring one preparatory drill and eight core techniques that develop strength, coordination, leverage and practical application for mastering the system’s advanced weapon form.

THE SMARTER FIGHTER
Wing Chun’s Secret Weapon: Footwork
By Martin Brogaard
Footwork is often overlooked and overshadowed by centreline theory, chain punches, and Chi Sau – but could it be Wing Chun’s most underrated skill?

IN CLOSE QUARTERS
The Invisible Skill of Feeling
By John Lobb
In combat, feeling offers a split-second advantage – faster than sight, closer to the future, so to speak – but its true power lies in the ability to read, adapt and respond in real time.

Reviews

IN PRINT
Lafayette Harris reviews Enter the Dragon: The 50th Anniversary Companion by Carl Fox (with Andrew Staton, Chris Kent and Peter Jagger), and Fighting Stars: Stardom and Reception in Hong Kong Martial Arts Cinema by Kyle Barrowman (with Mark Gallagher and Yiman Wang).

SCREEN EDUCATIONAL
Alex Danos reviews the educational DVD Instructor Series: Wooden Dummy Lesson Plans by Sam Chan.