What is Chi Sao?

[stonecrusher69]

A favorite topic of mine.. I hope you like it..



What is Chi Sao?


In the Fut Sao Wing Chun system, Chi Sao or Sticking Hands practice is not treated as simply a drill or sensitivity exercise as performed by some of the other Wing Chun lineages. In Fut Sao, the practice of Chi Sao, is treated and is equivalent to close quarter fighting. The skills one learns in Chi Sao practice will bring the practitioner to a higher level of development in his art. When one trains in Chi Sao one is not simply practicing a purely physical art but something that is also energy oriented and spiritual as well. When one concentrates on drills or applications one can clearly see that the practice becomes purely a physical and limits development in other areas. As one progresses in Chi Sao, one comes to realize it is not all about fighting but rather knowing yourself and your opponent. When one has reached a high level of proficiency in Chi Sao, the practice of simple drills and applications has almost no functionality. When practicing Chi Sao at such a high level all applications become possible. As mentioned earlier, if one just trains applications and drills he is only training the physical and not the energy side of the art which has no application yet is contained in all applications.

I hear all the time people say, "if your attacked on the street no one will Chi Sao you." Of course they will not Chi Sao you as Chi Sao is a way of training and an attack on your life is another matter. It seems to me people do not really understand the purpose of Chi Sao training, but something one has to realize is what one does in ones training is designed to build and develop real skills which can be applied at will. Chi Sao gives one the means necessary to reach that level of skill of which I am writing of. When you Chi Sao with your partner it is more like the testing grounds of an actual fight. One does not need to pummel your partner into the ground in order to see if what you've learned has any real value. Chi Sao is about control. If I can control myself and my partner during Chi Sao training then I know I have already won and do not need to go any further. In a real fight it will be over very quick. Once a move has been made it will have already ended and either I'll have survived or not. There is no playing; there are no points as seen in Chi Sao competitions.

Another point a lot of people seem to believe is that Chi Sao is merely "the rolling of the hands". Simply put, Chi Sao is not in the rolling, the contact point or the ability to always stick to the bridge. This brings me to another point, that Chi Sao "is not about always sticking or chasing the hand". It's not, as mentioned earlier it's about control. Chi Sao is found in any type of attack and the defense that one deploys in a real fight scenario. Chi Sao does not have to look a certain way. Again, the essence of Chi Sao is about control. Therefore, if I can control myself and your actions I'm using Chi Sao. WCK is very much based on maintaining a bridge which is conducive to Chi Sao training. Chi Sao training has many advantages over sparring. Most styles practice sparring from a non bridge non contact point. As sparring is also a good way to test and develop one's skills it is not the preferred way in Fut Sao Wing Chun system. Since Wing Chun is about controlled infighting it makes sense to use Chi Sao as a platform to test ones skills. Staying close and maintaining a bridge has an advantage over sparring where contact is lost. For a Wing Chun practitioner to be able to maintain a bridge is to his advantage while to someone like a boxer it is not. In fighting arts like Muay Thai or Western Boxing the idea of controlling the bridge is not part of the training, so Chi Sao is not needed for these types of arts. The advantage when you train with your partner in Chi Sao is that one does not need to gear-up as it is very safe to train granted that one has control. In sparring you must gear-up as there is no control and the idea is to pummel the opponent or score points as in point fighting. In Chi Sao, if practiced correctly, one can know he could have been hit without actually being hit. On the other hand, in sparring this is not possible one must hit the opponent. For beginners, psychologically, sparring can have negative effects due to the fear of being hit, and can ultimately affect their confidence and martial arts development.



--
Sifu Michael Mc Ilwrath

[Jamie Robson]

Dear Michael,

Thank you for your detailed explanation.

One point I wish to add is regarding the following quote -

In fighting arts like Muay Thai or Western Boxing the idea of controlling the bridge is not part of the training, so Chi Sao is not needed for these types of arts.

Bridging is present in most fighting arts, sport and martial.
For example in Muay Thai, once the fighters lock in a clinch, after taming, they will often attack with elbows or knees, while relying on sensitivity and control.

However, I agree it is discussed and trained in more depth within arts such as Wing Choon, JKD, Silat and Southern Shaolin styles.

My second point relates to -

Staying close and maintaining a bridge has an advantage over sparring where contact is lost.

With respect, I have to disagree...
When you are close, with numerous options to attack (elbow, stomp, knee, butt, bite, tear..), so can they.

The principle of 'Close Enough To Attack But Far Enough To Be Safe' conveys this point. Ideally, you are spaced and bridged, that you cannot be hit, either on purpose, by mistake or by a die-hard as he is hit.

To finish, perhaps a simple analogy is - Chi Sao is the Wing Choon equivalent of Tai Chi's Push Hands. A tool for developing vital combat skills in a realistic but safe environment.

Best Regards,

Jamie

[stonecrusher69]

Hello Sifu Robson,

Thank you for your input. I like your finished analogy of Chi Sao. Perhaps I can barrow it from you. If you don't mind?

My second point relates to -
Quote:
Staying close and maintaining a bridge has an advantage over sparring where contact is lost.
With respect, I have to disagree...
When you are close, with numerous options to attack (elbow, stomp, knee, butt, bite, tear..), so can they.

The principle of 'Close Enough To Attack But Far Enough To Be Safe' conveys this point. Ideally, you are spaced and bridged, that you cannot be hit, either on purpose, by mistake or by a die-hard as he is hit.

I'm not sure it I follow you, but what I was trying to convey about the advantages of a bridge is that you have control through touch where as if there is no bridge there is a space a gap in which you can get hit.With out a bridge You rely only on your eyes not feelings. The eyes can be fooled but touch can not.

[Jamie Robson]

Dear Michael,

You are most welcome to share my analogy of Chi Sao.

My point regarding contact or no contact, was affirming that 'Bridging' has strengths and weaknesses in numerous situations; equally 'Not Bridging' has strengths and weaknesses in numerous situations.

Best Regards,

Jamie

[Mark Blohm]

Retain arrival send departure, hands disconnected straight enter.

SELECTION OF QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
SEPTEMBER 2002 (PART 2)

Question 3
Do you know anything about the tiger-crane combination system which emphasizes sticking to the opponent until an opportunity arises to strike, because I always wonder whether is it not Wing Choon instead of Hoong Ka.

Answer 3
The tiger-crane system is typical of Hoong Ka (Hung Gar) Kungfu, but its exponents as well as Wing Choon (Wing Chun) exponents may or may not stick to their opponents. Indeed, if an opponent is physically bigger or stronger, or if he frequently uses gripping techniques, it would be disadvantageous for a Wing Choon exponent to stick to him.
One may have the mistaken concept that Wing Choon exponents stick to their opponents because "Chi Sau" or "Sticking Hands" is a crucial method in combat training. An important combat tactic in Wing Choon Kungfu is "loi lau huei soong, leik sau cheit joong", which means that when the opponent attacks, we keep contact with his attacking hand, when he retreats his attacking hand, we follow with a counter-attack still maintaining contact. This is the first part of the tactic, namely "loi lau huei soong", and it advocates sticking with the opponent.
But if contact is broken off, a Wing Choon exponent would not attempt to re-establish contact. Instead he would strike straight and fast at the opponent. This is the second part of the tactic, namely "leik sau cheit joong".
A similar method to "Chi Sau", but is comparatively "harder", is also practised in Hoong Ka Kungfu although it is not so much emphasized as in Wing Choon Kungfu. It is called "Men Kiew" or "Asking Bridge". As in "Chi Sau", in "Men Kiew" two exponents practise various attacking and defending movements with their forearms in contact.
The kungfu style where sticking with the opponent is most emphasized is Taijiquan, even when the opponent is physically bigger and stronger. Why is it that in Wing Choon Kungfu the exponent avoids direct contact with the opponent when the latter is bigger or stronger, but in Taijiquan the exponent still sticks to him? This is because Wing Choon Kungfu and Taijiquan employ different principles. Wing Choon Kungfu uses leverage and straight attacks, whereas Taijiquan uses circular movements and internal force.

[Jamie Robson]

Dear Mark,

Wonderful quote! Thank you!

Jamie

[Mark Blohm]

If there are bridges cross them, if there are no bridges flow with water.

SELECTION OF QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
APRIL 2004 (PART 3)

Question 5
What is meant by and what is the purpose of the Twelve Bridges of Hoong Ka Kungfu?

Answer 5
Hoong Ka Kungfu is famous for its powerful forearms, known as "kiew sau" (Cantonese pronounciation) or "bridge-hands". They are called "bridges" because they connect with the opponents in attack and defence. A famous combat principle in Hoong Ka as well as other styles of kungfu is "kiew lei kiew seong ko, mo kiew soon shui lau", which is "if there are bridges cross them, if there are no bridges flow with water". Basically it means that if the opponent attacks you, brush over his attack to counter-strike, if contact is broken flow in with his movements. This Hoong Ka principle is similar to the Wing Choon principle "loi low hui soong, liet sau jiet joong", which is "retain arrival send departure, hands disconnected straight enter".
These two principles represent the crystallized wisdom of past masters in their use of tactics derived from centuries of actual fighting, passed down to us in secret transmission. Understanding just these two principles will enable us to have many different variations to suit different combat situations whereby we can have certain advantages over our opponents.
In my own experience, I have used just these two principles to effectively handle countless combat situations in both friendly sparring and actual fighting. These are just two of many, many principles. This shows how rich kungfu is, and how saddening to see kungfu students as well as some masters discard their kungfu for kickboxing in their sparring.
The Twelve Bridges in Hoong Ka Kungfu refer to twelve different ways of using the forearms in combat. They are "hard". "soft", "press", "straight", "separate", "stablize", "inch", "lift", "retain", "circulate", "subdue" and "match".
It is essential to back up these twelve techniques with force. Hence there are also "twelve different kinds of force" that correspond to these twelve techniques. . The force in the use of the "lift" technique, for example, is different from that in the "circulate" technique. The difference, however, lies more in their application rather than their nature.
The way to learn the twelve "bridge-techniques" as well as to develop the twelve "bridge-forces" are found in the Iron Wire Set, the internal force training set of Hoong Ka Kungfu. Different sounds are used when training different types of internal force. This force training in the Iron Wire Set, of course, is not for combat only. As in all genuine kungfu, it is excellent for promoting health, vitality and longevity, and at high levels for intellectual development and spiritual joy.

[stonecrusher69]

Wing Chun also uses the circle. It's not all straight lines and angles. Fut Sao wing chun uses the circle just as much as Tai Chi.

[Jamie Robson]

Dear Michael,

I would guess that the comment you mentioned, was a brief generalisation, and not intended as hard fact.

Best Regards,

Jamie

[stonecrusher69]

Dear Michael,

I would guess that the comment you mentioned, was a brief generalisation, and not intended as hard fact.

Best Regards,

Jamie

yes, The use of circles, and angles plays a big part in Wing Chun in general and Fut Sao in a big way.

[stonecrusher69]

Dear Michael,

You are most welcome to share my analogy of Chi Sao.

My point regarding contact or no contact, was affirming that 'Bridging' has strengths and weaknesses in numerous situations; equally 'Not Bridging' has strengths and weaknesses in numerous situations.

Best Regards,

Jamie

I agree..from the perspective of bridging( wing chun person) if one trains their art works best from a bridging position then to them it be a strength but a weakness if one did not take advantage of a bridge.

[TonyD]

I have found the benefits off chi sau are many, apart from the shallow as a safe sparring method, when up close and personal with an opponent a bridge almost always exists and feeling your opponents energy before they use it is invaluable. Also when sparring you make a bridge when u block so chi sau instincts can take over. IT is an invaluable training aid with many benefits but needs to be used in conjuction with over methods.

[Jamie Robson]

Hello Tony,

Yes, Chi Sau is an excellent training method, as is Push Hands, Kneading Bridges...
Personally, I see the strengths and weaknesses in all, which is perhaps the most important aspect.

Some instructors make it all too complicated, too many rules and confusing explanations. This is no good for students training once or twice a week.
Every single principle or theory, can be condensed into one profound approach; Common Sense.

With time, the students are aware when the partners fingers are dangerously close to his eyes, or his stance is weak, or he is out of range, or his groin is exposed... My students know to ask themselves, am I solid? am I agile? am I safe?

Simple, Direct, Effective.

Best Regards,

Jamie