The other day I was asked a question whether you can learn wing chun without learning chi sao  or the :sticking hands” technique.  Well the simple answer is No…and yes.  For the uninitiated chi sao is a form of freestyle sparring used in Wing Chun Training. It is where two practitioners undertake, while in touch or contact with the opponents wrists.  Throughout the process the opponents are in what is called d exchange range where they have at their disposal the use of both hands within the vicinity of striking their opponent. 

The exercise is used to teach timing through feel and touch of the opponents force and defences so you can break through them. A weak defence will see your opponents break through , while a strong defence that is too forceful  will see this energy used against  you and thrown off balance.  The idea is to find a happy medium matching your opponents energy and finding the right balance.  The idea is to create a disruption in the balance to create an opening for attack, while maintaining your defence.

This is a critical component of wing chun and to truly master it, it is a skill well worth learning.  The system teaches many techniques; from a practical manner however it is the free flowing practice of chi sao enables you to become a more of an all rounded practitioner and fighter.  Can you learn wing chun without it ,yeah sure,  can you be great at it  though…No…it is a necessary part of the system and I believe an enviable skill to learn that puts its ahead of any other art. That is why i believe chi sao is a critical element in your Wing Chun training

It is one of the hardest skills to learn, however through constant drilling (which lets face it is the backbone behind learning any martial art) it is skill that will remain with you.  However to really master it you need to “sharpen the saw” and constantly practice.  The beauty of Chi Sao is that it teaches you strategy that you can execute and gets you thinking. 

The basis of chi sao is taught in the Shi lim Tao form – with the positioning of  fuk sao & garn sao. 

This skill alone will teach you plenty about the touch and timing when confronting your opponent where you don’t need to rely on you sight, where the hand is quicker than the eye ..Chi Sao increases speed and relies on reflex buy reacting on the touch of your opponent.  If you have any questions or comments about the subtle art of Chi Sao let me know by commenting below… Would love to hear your thoughts…

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70 Responses to “How Important is Chi Sao to your Wing Chun Training?”
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