Inosanto Chi Sao

I am innately skeptical of non-Wing Chun men, when they attempt to take elements from Wing Chun in isolation. However, this video of Inosanto teaching Chi Sao is actually pretty good;

Pressure Forward

In sparring we train our bodies to displace eneregy. This means for example, when we jab with our left hand our right hand withdraws to cover. In other words, as one arm goes forward the other hand comes back.

In clinch range and particularly in chi sao (sticking hands) there cannot be such a displacement. The objective in chi sao and clinch is to control the opponents’ body. To do this, the entire body must work as a unit to fill any gap created. We cannot withdraw our hands as this creates a gap which will likely be filled by our opponent at  our peril. Instead we train our hands (and body) to constantly apply pressure directed into our opponent.

(note from 24 November 2007)

On Determination

In the Korean film Oldboy, the lead character Dae-Su finds himself imprisoned for reasons unexplained to him. In an attempt to stop himself from going insane, he draws the outline image of an opponent on the wall which he attacks with punches. He does this with fury over a period of years and when he is finally  released from his prison, he finds himself disconnected from humanity but emerges with superhero-like fight capabilities. Whilst obviously a work of fiction, I find some value in his story as a metaphor for strength of character and determination.

After arriving in a foreign country I found myself without training partners and spent at least two years training in isolation. Although staying motivated was difficult, I found that through determination and the use of some imagination, I could most of the critical components needed to be a functional fighter. I innovated unique ways of adding resistance to number of dynamic movements to make them harder.

Obviously I wasn’t able to engage in live sparring, so instead decided to work on power and striking instead. To improve chi sao (sticking hand) skills, I used resistance bands and light weights. The idea for resistance bands was given to me by Jesse Glover when I met him in early 2004 when he suggested the use of bicycle inner tubing tied and wrapped around the torso when doing the rotation platform required in chi sao.

All it takes is imagination and desire to succeed.