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