'Wing Chun' is renowned for its close range fighting methods and a key area to the full development of this is working on and more importantly, understanding the Chi Sau (sticking hands) drills.
What separates Chi Sau from other areas of Wing Chun such as the forms is the endless nature of the practice, there is always room for improvement, the subtle skill development never ceases, meaning you can continue to practice into old age.
Beginning students begin this process by learning 'Daan Chi Sau' (single sticking hands) which puts some practical use to the actions and concepts being learnt in the Siu Nim Tau (little/young idea) form.
This drill also introduces the correct use of energy when both attacking and absorbing incoming strikes and strengthens the basic stance to allow the hands to relax and 'feel' when and how to respond through a set sequence of continuous flowing actions training the seeds of the Wing Chun system - Bong Sau (upper arm deflection) - Taan Sau (spreading/dispersing hand) - and Fook Sau (subduing hand).
(Pictured: Grandmaster Ip Man playing 'Chi Sau' with a young Bruce Lee)
Students soon move on to the main Wing Chun Chi Sau exercise using a double handed approach, this is sometimes compared to a laboratory stage where a student can experiment with relative safety and control the more subtle aspects of the skills of Wing Chun and how the concepts learnt relate to close quarter contact with a partner, who is most likely trying to find a gap in your defence in which to strike.
After a basic understanding has been achieved in this exercise it is important to always have in mind the maintainance of a direct, no-nonsense approach, drilling your reflex responses to adapt quickly and efficiently to the situation at hand in a positive, assertive manner.
By following the main Wing Chun concept/rhyme of 'Loi Lau, Hoi Sung, Lat Sau, Jik Chung' (meet what comes, follow what goes, lost hand, spring forward) a student learns to automatically find gaps in his opponents defence and exploit any mistakes in position or overuse of energy without thought.
Many Wing Chun practitioners still view Chi Sau as a method to tie up the arms of your opponent and/or to endlessly stick to their arms and nullify any attacks on their person with some kind of secret magic skill....to train with this as a goal only leads to poor, non direct Wing Chun and the often talked about habit of 'Jui Sau' (chasing the hands) rather than the centre.
Wing Chun Kung Fu is a simple, direct and sophisticated weapon and although health benefits and longevity can be gained from regular practice, the goal should always be to follow the core concepts and find an attacking line with minimum effort, maximum effectiveness.
In my class on every last Sunday of the month from November 2009, practice will be centered around the Chi Sau exercises for the entire lesson, in this way the skills have a better chance to be bedded in and understood and concepts can be expanded upon to increase your development and skill base.
Sifu Paul Blissett
