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In Psychology, the four stages of competence, or the “conscious competence” learning model, relates to the psychological states involved in the process of progressing from incompetence to competence in a skill.  This theory developed by Noel Burch in the 1970’s is often applied in Wing Chun.

It is important to remember that Wing Chun learning is not linear – it does not progress in a series of defined, sequential steps.  As such, this model is often incorrectly understood in its application to Wing Chun.

The theory can be applied, however, in understanding how the Wing Chun student progresses through the different forms and also the different levels of development.  As such, it must be understood alongside the Stages of Development (to be uploaded soon) and Levels of Wisdom in Wing Chun – see the other articles within The Path section of the website.

In this way the cycle of competence can be seen to apply across multiple levels of learning across the years of learning – for example, across the different techniques, different forms and the stages of personal development.

Stage 1 – Unconscious incompetence

At stage 1 the Wing Chun student does not understand or know how to do something – and, most importantly, does not necessarily recognise their deficit of this knowledge / experience.

The student at this stage can see or feel the benefits of the technique when shown by an advanced practitioner but has no idea as to how to perform these correctly.  This stage is marked by an attempt to reproduce the technique or action using untrained ‘normal’ movements.

For example, in applying the Wing Chun punch the student at this stage will lead with clenched fists and tense forearms, trying to apply speed and power from the upper body only through the shoulder – rather than being applied through the whole body using correct body structure from the ground.

At this stage the student can genuinely (although mistakenly) feel that they are reproducing what they see advanced practitioners doing.  They do not understand that by using tension in the arms and using the arms in isolation that they are not using the principles of Wing Chun to be able to deliver maximum power to defend against a stronger opponent.

A key to moving to the next stage of learning is for the student to begin to recognise and accept their own incompetence.  A good teacher will help the student in a positive way to recognise that it is natural to start off in this way and that moving to the next stage involves letting go of natural untrained behaviours.

The length of time a student stays at this level depends on the strength of their will to learn, their trust in their teacher and their willingness to change – to let go of their existing knowledge and experience and step into the unknown.

Many students will not be able to make it passed this stage, especially those who are unable to accept that they cannot do it and must learn – especially when they see other students who they perceive to be less able than them move ahead of them in their ability.

The student gains from this stage a real recognition that martial arts are not something that can be understood and mastered overnight.   Moreover, they begin to understand that they have the potential to develop as individuals.  Only those who are prepared to learn, train and grow will proceed to stage 2.

The advanced student who has passed through all stages recognises that, however much they have learned, there is much more they do not understand and yet have to learn.  In this way the advanced practitioner accepts that they must remain open to areas of unconscious ignorance.  However, in accepting and recognising this, the advanced practitioner is able to move much more quickly able to progress through the stages of learning.

Stage 2 – Conscious Incompetence

At this stage, although the student still does not understand or know how to reproduce what the advanced practitioner is showing them they have taken a massive step forward in realising that they are not able to do this.   In recognising and accepting this, the student actively seeks to find a new way.

This is a very challenging stage for the student and can be very frustrating.  The student requires a great degree of trust in their teacher and must be prepared to put in the time and effort to change how their body works – repeatedly training new techniques.

The teacher has a substantial part to play in this stage in helping the student deconstruct the old learning and help them feel they are on the path to finding and applying the correct new techniques.

In stage 2 the student begins to understand that making mistakes is an integral part of the learning process – that mistakes must be observed, and corrected and then practiced to the point of being the new ‘natural’ response.

Many students will not make it passed this stage as it is often associated with a feeling of taking a backwards step.  For example, those students who have started to be able to deflect an incoming attack with their Fook Sau (incorrectly by holding a tight hand/forearm held from the shoulder or twisted body) find it hard to hold the correct position and get hit – especially by students who are junior to them.

Only those who have the trust in the martial art and persistence to move beyond this feeling will move to the next stage.  Knowing you are doing something incorrectly and having the courage and conviction to let it go define those who will progress to stage 3 and those who will not.  This marks a new stage in the learning process – recognising that you do not simply learn and then move on to the next stage – instead, you have to learn, and re-learn again and again in an un-ending process – that Wing Chun learning involves a lifetime of refinement.

For the advanced practitioner this stage can also be a real test of their resolve and commitment to grow and further develop their skills.     Having to completely rework new understanding through all the forms can take tremendous effort and training – the more knowledge you have, the more it takes to change and refine this each time.   Only those with the un-abiding passion to master Wing Chun and develop themselves to their highest potential will continue to pass through this stage time and time again.

Stage 3 – Conscious competence

At this stage the now advancing student is able to replicate what the advanced practitioner has shown them – however, in order to do so this take a huge deal of conscious effort.    As such, the technique has not been mastered sufficiently so that it could be effectively used under the pressure of a real life fighting situation.

This stage can often be frustrating for the advancing student, as any new elements they are developing requiring conscious focus will detract from any other techniques that are not fully developed into unconscious competence.  This process requires a great deal of mental energy and can be very tiring, and emotionally exhausting.

For example, many developing students who begin to use both arms in Poon Sau (basic double arm rolling) will loose structure in the correct positions within the left arm when they are trying consciously to apply a technique in their right arm – leaving themselves open to attack.

This can leave the developing student feeling that they have lost the hard earned skills they have spent the previous weeks learning to the point of conscious competence.   This stage requires even more patience and determination than the previous stage to properly embed the learning into the body and mind – however tempting it is to continue the new learning and understanding to new heights.

It is important for the teacher at this stage to help the developing student understand the need to ingrain the learning and not to try and take on too much learning that they become swamped – unable to maintain too many consciously competent techniques / skills.   This stage is key step in the developing student developing control of themselves and beginning to master the tools in their tool-box, in order to build up the full arsenal of Wing Chun skills.

Only those who are prepared to take the time necessary to learn and embed the learning properly will move beyond this point.   This is a very difficult step for the developing student as it also marks the step from following a teacher’s instruction to externally replicate a technique to having to look introspectively, to lay down new neurological pathways, to use new muscle structures and re-define how the body acts physiologically.

For the advanced practitioner this phase sorts the wheat from the chaff – only those who truly wish to develop and grow with time and time again work through the physical and mental exertion required in this stage to embed technique after technique, form after form – the path towards mastery both of Wing Chun and also of one’s own body, mind and spirit.

Stage 4 – Unconscious Competence

At this stage the developing student has truly mastered the technique that has been shown to them by the advanced practitioner – they are able to do this without thinking about it, and this is a skill that will be able to use in a fighting situation.

It is important to note at this stage that Wing Chun as a fighting system is much more than learning a series of techniques.   The advanced practitioner knows that mastering the techniques is only the beginning of the process.   For example, it is possible to feel that you have mastered the use of the Tan Sau after a year or two of learning Sil Lim Tao – but until you have mastered every single element involved in the correct body structure, along with understanding how to use whole body structure, through relaxed movement generating speed and power then the Tan Sau is just a single isolated technique.

In this way, to talk properly of unconscious competence in Wing Chun would look like a Grand Master level – whereby all techniques have been mastered from the hand forms along with the principles of Wing Chun having been fully understood and developed into the full embodied expression of the fighting system.

Furthermore, the advanced practitioner recognises that unconscious competence is not entirely unconscious – instead, the focus shifts to a controlled awareness on the key structural points across the body.  For example, this involves having a mindfulness on having the correct alignment points in place at the feet, knees, hips, back, shoulders, neck, elbows and wrists.   This requires a focus of a different kind – one that is combined with the combined focus of the Head, Heart and Stomach (3 Dantian)– a holistic awareness of the entire body – a level of mastery associated with the founders of Wing Chun, the Shaolin Monks.

As such, for the developing student the stage of Unconscious Competence marks the start of a never ending cycle of learning, growth and a journey of self understanding.  The developing student understands what it means and what it takes to embed one component of learning and now faces the challenge of having to do this again, and again and again.

It is through this wider understanding then, that the place of the four cycles of competency must properly be understood within the Wing Chun system.  They are indeed an integral part of a bigger process that involves personal and spiritual development.

It is a shame that having made it this far that many developing students find they do not have the passion and commitment to develop beyond this point.   They realise that, unlike other martial arts, to truly be an effective Wing Chun practitioner they must do the whole thing again and again – something that they are not prepared to do.   I suspect this is like runners who complete their first marathon – many will collapse and realise that it was a huge amount of effort they are not prepared to put in again.  Whilst there are those for who it was not about making it from the start to the finish, but the thrill was in the journey – in the training, in the mental strength of driving forward mile after mile and in doing this again and again, going further and seeing how far they can go as an individual.

For others then, this stage is hugely rewarding – having re-engineered your physiological and neurological responses you have taken the first step as a trained martial artist.    This offers a real sense of personal achievement – a sense of achievement based on hard earned effort and focus that can drive a lifetime of personal growth and development in the physical, mental and spiritual aspects of Wing Chun that extend beyond the movements of the hand and weapon forms.

The student now comprehends that to become an accomplished martial artist requires a huge personal commitment and a lifetime of effort – but one which brings tremendous personal rewards.  The developing student has become an advanced practitioner who is firmly on their path, their Wing Chun journey.

Copyright @ Craig Sands