Chi Sao,does it have any purpose in real fighting?

[stonecrusher69]

Chi Sao,does it have any purpose in real fighting?

I know what you must be thinking. Not another article on Chi Sao. It's been done to death, and what else can you say about it that hasn't been covered already. Well Chi Sao in my opinion, has gotten a bad rap due to its misconception and misuse of it. Which is why I feel it's necessary to state what Chi Sao is and what it’s not. Of course this is just my opinion,but hopefully this won't be another typical Chi Sao article. I want to clear up a few points, and explain why I feel Chi Sao is still a relevant component to training and has its place in the Wing Chun system.

First off let me state my position on Chi Sao,which I hope later on will be obvious.First, Chi Sao is not fighting nor has anything to do with real fighting. Like I’ve heard a million times by other Chunners say,”No one is going to Chi Sao you in a real fight”,and I agree.However over the years,there has been some confusion among the many lineages about what Chi Sao represents.Is it fighting or is it a Drill? So this needs to be cleared up. Second,Chi Sao in my opinion should only be used as a training platform to test and refine certain skills which is unique to the Wing Chun system. Even though Chi Sao is not fighting, however it still serves as a very useful training tool to help the student master the basic tools and to learn how to apply the various theories needed for fighting.What Chi Sao practice does is allow two people to pressure test those tools like Tan Sao, Bong Sao, Fook Sao,etc without the need of conventional sparring or worrying about getting hurt in the process. Chi Sao training provides a very safe environment to practice which is conducive to learning.

The purpose of pressure testing of the basic tools in Chi Sao helps to see if one has mastered these skills and can apply them at will.If one has not mastered these basic skills it will easily show up in their Chi Sao. These mistakes or what I call holes need to be fixed,so Chi Sao can serve that purpose.In Chi Sao,and in fighting,basic skill sets have to be mastered first before one can be effective in fighting. One has to have the ability to be able to maintain proper body a lineament under constant multi-directional force from the opponent while maintaining balance, mobility, and structural integrity.One also has to be able to deliver force from a stable base. All these basic skills are needed in combat,and can come from proper training in Chi Sao and later be carried over and applied in sparring or fighting.

Therefore,Chi Sao can serve as a very useful training tool in the Wing Chun system.Chi Sao is the testing ground before one engages in sparring,so if one’s Chi Sao is very poor it is not likely one is ready to move on to sparring or fighting.Chi Sao can serve as that critical stage before fighting.So even though Chi Sao is not fighting,nor was it ever intended to be used in that way,Chi Sao still is an invaluable tool. Which if used correctly can lead the student to mastery and eventually unlock the keys to the Wing Chun system.

Sifu Michael Mc Ilwrath

April 25, 2013

[MasterPain]

I use Chi Sao as a warm up before clinch work and dirty boxing. I make a lot of use of trapping when I spar.

Anyone who says it doesn't apply to fighting, I like to point out that deadlifts, squats and benchpress are not martial techniques.

[bushido_man96]

Thanks for sharing this. I've never had experience in Chi Sao, other than what I've read. I have had some trapping training in Combat Hapkido, but its pretty basic compared to some of the complexities I've seen Chi Sao.

[stonecrusher69]

Thanks for sharing this. I've never had experience in Chi Sao, other than what I've read. I have had some trapping training in Combat Hapkido, but its pretty basic compared to some of the complexities I've seen Chi Sao.

your welcome..glad you liked it.

[Harkon72]

I love chi sau, it's a great exercise in sensitivity and patience. It can be applied directly to fighting in my opinion, as can pushing hands and Aikido Randori, soft arts can have a hard edge.

[stonecrusher69]

I love chi sau, it's a great exercise in sensitivity and patience. It can be applied directly to fighting in my opinion, as can pushing hands and Aikido Randori, soft arts can have a hard edge.

st

chi sao gives you the ability to feel and react without the use of your vision. Your sense of touch is faster then your eyes which is one of the advantages to chi sao training.

[AngelAriz]

for me...it was all the difference in testing trapping and controling position.

[sensei8]

Bruce Lee trained in Chi Sao extensively and it seemed to help him across the board, so, I'd say, yeah, Chi Sao can, imho, aide one in a real fight. Dabbling in it, well, that'll do no good; one will have to train with it quite a lot.

Imho.

[lowereastside]

Chi Sao does have its purpose - however one must put things in perspective. IMHO The use of energy and where the energy is going is a big thing in Chi Sao - Push Hands........Also besides the hand and foot - one must learn to use the BODY.

[sensei8]

Chi Sao teaches transitional changes that are much a vital part of close range techniques. Add that to some wooden dummy training, yes, I'd say it's quite effective providing one devotes some serious training to either.