Articles about Chi Sao training and techniques
Wing Chun’s unique forearm sensitivity-training exercise often devolves into soft rollover habits. However, in applied kung fu, Chi Sao practice has to be far more assertive. Given that real self-defence situations are high pressure, forceful encounters with wild…
Wing Chun’s Lap Sao is an important drill to develop the instinct to clear the path. However, many practitioners lack true intent, reducing the technique to a soft rollover routine. Sifu Barry Pang explains that in Lap Sao…
The centreline theory is a celebrated formula for gaining control of your opponent, but is it enough? Concepts of feeling and redirecting your opponent are not the exclusive domain of Wing Chun kung fu. Here are 4 ways…
Once the hands are in contact, Chi Sao provides the tools to react to an incoming attack without thinking. However, the specific drill that develops this reflex is not widely taught or understood. Sifu Barry Pang explains the…
In real self-defence situations, free exchanges of blows are common. This is low-percentage fighting. In Wing Chun, the principle that practitioners strive for is to intercept the hands and gain the best position for attack. Sifu Barry Pang…
Developing a strong base in martial arts is the key to everything. It’s the primary source of power and mobility whilst freeing up the hands to be relaxed, sensitive and fast. Sifu Barry Pang explains that power through…
Effortlessly controlling an opponent requires the successful application of a contradiction: Being relaxed but strong when the stakes are high. There’s a natural, self-preservation instinct to resist aggression directly. However, resisting leads to an arm wrestle that the…
Opposing a stronger opponent head-on is a sure way to lose an encounter. To make the size problem go away, you need to be able to read and redirect their forces. The challenge is how to develop these…
Developing a strong centreline and quick, powerful chain punching is not enough. To overwhelm in this way may work on opponents of equivalent size. Against larger, skilled opponents, the path to success is not to meet their force…
People who say that Chi Sao can’t be used in sparring are missing the point. It is a training tool that enables the Wing Chun way of fighting, involving sensing and responding to your opponent through feel. Sifu…
