# Positional advantage

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**Positional advantage** is a combative position relative to an opponent. It is used extensively to describe a situation of significant tactical advantage over an opponent in open-hand conflict (i.e. without weapons) in [William Cheung](/source/William_Cheung)'s [Traditional Wing Chun Kung Fu](/source/Traditional_Wing_Chun_Kung_Fu) and [Ian Protheroe](/source/Ian_Protheroe)'s [Classical Wing Chun](/source/Classical_Wing_Chun).[1]

In physical altercations, positional advantage is significant because a defender who has attained positional advantage:

- is not as open to an attack from the attacker's rear hand
- may control the attacker's lead limbs (one arm and one leg)
- is in range to attack or defend both hands
- is able to redirect their opponent's force

In the words of [Sifu](/source/Sifu) Ian Protheroe, "as long as your strongest side is facing your opponent's weakest side, you have the advantage".[2] Although positional advantage has been adopted specifically by Classical and Traditional Wing Chun practitioners, the term is applicable to all martial styles, both with and without weapons.[1] Related concepts include centre and central line theory.[1] These terms are used to describe many different things by Wing Chun practitioners (see the Wikipedia entry for [Wing Chun](/source/Wing_Chun) for more information).

## References

1. [Positional Advantage](http://www.wingchun-kungfu.org/positioning_n.htm) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20070927003236/http://www.wingchun-kungfu.org/positioning_n.htm) 2007-09-27 at the Wayback Machine

1. Ian Protheroe *Wing Chun Theory and Composition*, 1998, p.47 ISBN 978-0646356389

## Further reading

- Protheroe, Ian G. (Sifu) (1998). *Wing Chun Theory and Composition*. Brisbane: Protheroe. ISBN 0-646-35638-0.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Positional advantage](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Positional_advantage) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Positional_advantage?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.