| There are a number of different forms of chi sao, | | | | The practitioners learn to move from the outside to |
| but they all share some common characteristics.They | | | | the inside of their opponents arms and back. Because |
| are always two person exercises. | | | | they are particularly vulnerable to attack during these |
| The arms always start in contact at striking range | | | | transitions they need to move quickly and maintain |
| They aim to the develop sensitivity to the | | | | the optimal structure for their arm position.Dok Sao |
| opponents movements and energy, use of correct | | | | (analytical hands) |
| position, and ability to find a gap in an opponents | | | | Starting from poon sao the practitioners roll slowly |
| defences, and the appropriate use of trapping | | | | seeking gaps in their partners defeence, as they find |
| skills.The six stages of Chi Sau training are:Dan Chi | | | | those gaps they push forward very slowly giving |
| Sao (single sticking hands) | | | | time for their partner to adjust to a better position. |
| Poon Sao (double sticking hands) | | | | There are no set patterns and the exercise is an |
| Jeung Sao (changing hands) | | | | opportunity for practitioners to start experimenting |
| Dok Sao (analytical hands) | | | | with the basic positions and techniques that they've |
| Gor Sao (free applications) | | | | learned.Gor Sao (free applications) |
| Chi Sao Lye Bye Muk (blindfolded chi sao) | | | | At full speed and starting from poon sau the |
| By looking at each of these stages in more detail | | | | practitioners aim to find gaps in their partners |
| we can gain a better understanding of the methods | | | | defences and deliver light taps to indicate where and |
| and aims of Chi Sao training.Dan Chi Sao (single | | | | how they could land a hit, and the same time they |
| sticking hands) | | | | have to ensure that the same doesn't happen to |
| Praticed in the Wing Chun training stance Using one | | | | themselves. Defence, trapping and striking skills can all |
| hand the two practitioners alternate between striking | | | | be tested against a resisting opponent. It is essential |
| and defending cycling through some of the basic | | | | that Chi Sao is done in a relaxed and non-aggressive |
| hand techniques of the wing chun system. | | | | manner for the student to get the optimum benefit |
| Practitioners try not to get into a predictable rythm | | | | in terms of training. Practitioners of wing chun talk |
| and will both vary the speed of the drill randomly to | | | | about "playing" chi sau to emphasis the fact that it is |
| ensure that they are maintaining an acute awareness | | | | to be done in a relaxed manner and frame of mind, |
| of their partners movement.Poon Sao (double sticking | | | | that you would any game of skill.Chi Sao Lye Bye |
| hands) | | | | Muk (blindfolded chi sau) |
| This is the second stage in Chi Sao training and is | | | | As you'd probably guess this builds on gor sau, |
| the only only stage where the movement is in a | | | | adding the extra element of blindfolds to enhance the |
| fixed and predictable sequence. Both arms are in | | | | development of using contact to guage the position |
| contact as the two practitioners alternate between | | | | and defences of the other player.Although chis sau |
| basic wing chun defensive positions ensuring that the | | | | unique to wing chun, similar principles are used in |
| centreline is defended at all times.Jeung Sao (changing | | | | other systems, notably "Pushing Hands" in Tai Chi and |
| hands) | | | | "hubud-lobud" in Kali. |