Chi Sao

Chi Sao (Sticking hands is unique to Wing Chun)

Chi Sao offers a training tool to develop skills that may not reasonably be developed under real combat conditions. It’s important to comprehend that Chi Sao may not be part of combat however the experience gained is essential to combat. What is vital, is through learning Wing Chun (WC) the individual should endeavor to master WC not be the slave to it. 

Why Chi Sao?

(This tool may be called by various names, but all try to achieve the same result)

The mental and physical benefits are:

Learn to control rather than beat the opponent, don’t become focused with hitting and not being hit as you will limit training benefits, remain composed regardless of what happens. Learn to lose, so you may learn to win:

• Create and break rhythm
• Simultaneous offence and defence
• Flow from one attack to another, defence to offence, fluidity without thought
• Appropriate use of forward energy, relying on brute strength will slow reaction time (reflex), relaxing enhances the ability to fight force without force
• Relax, tension will inhibit the ability to interrupt movement
• Feel the opening, speed and combination are good but if speed alone is emphasised the ability to adapt is compromised i.e. if an attack is forced one may miss a “safer option” that may occur within that time and space.
• Develop contact reflexes, the hand moves faster than the eye, attack seen by the eye then coordinated via the brain and hand/foot/elbow etc is slower than the reaction time felt via sensitivity.
• Incorporate WC strategies, theories and techniques in accordance to simplicity, directness, practicality and efficiency. The individual and the information processed develops the response.
• Cutting down avenues of attack rather than blocking, whilst we try to do this, Chi Sao enhances the ability to do it reflexively
• Unity of purpose, control the opponent utilising the whole body to work as one, solid stance, CoG, LoG, independent use of limbs yet a coordinated effort with or without the horse stance
• Train the universal principals such as distancing, timing, speed and positioning
• Close your eyes and rely on your sensitivity put your hands/feet on auto pilot i.e. attack comes – stay, attack goes – pursue, no contact – bridge the gap, strong forward energy – go around, weak energy – drive through etc.
• Chi Sao “sticky hands” Gee Gerk “sticky feet” train the hands to take care of the hands and the legs to take care of the legs.
• Learn to apply WC principals allow WC to conform to the individual. 

Competition Chi Sao

The training tool aspect may get lost due to over-competitiveness subsequently one commits the don’ts and the do’s go out the window. A great character development tool, to excel you must keep your ego in check.

The universal principals remain constant the importance of good WC (Chi Sao training) is apply the form in accordance to the WC principals, apply the strategy and abide by simplicity, directness, efficiency and practicality. Many systems train many of the benefits independently; Chi Sao brings them all together in the one training tool.