To Stick or Not To Stick?

To Stick or Not To Stick ?

The wrong application of Chi Sao is believing you can stick to your opponent while fighting.

Well, unless your opponent is playing the same game,it's not possible. While your trying to stick or stay connected to your opponent bridge he will be striking you..You will be at least a half a beat behind him at all times, however, having a high level of skill in Chi Sao, can gives you a big advantage. But IMO to apply it that way is a gross misunderstanding and a mistake..You should be hitting your opponent not trying to play a Chi Sao game. Use your skills to strike your opponent and don't waste anytime..Use the skills you've developed to assist you to control and interrupt your opponent's movement, but your primary focus should be on striking him. Don't look for a bridge to cross over,just hit your opponent.

I guess Wong Shun Leung said it best "don't chase the hands"

http://www.youtube.com/user/sifumcilwrath

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Originally Posted by stonecrusher69

I guess Wong Shun Leung said it best "don't chase the hands".

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If you chase your opponent's

- head, you will hurt him, and go to jail for it.
- arm, you will disable his arm, ask him if he is willing to stop, both of you may live in peace, and live happy ever after.

You force your opponent's arms to deal with your arms. If you have more experience in this area, that will be your advantage.

Of course you want to chase your opponent's arms. If you can disable your opponent's arms, your opponent's arms won't give you any trouble. Don't wait for your opponent's fist to come toward you. You go directly to his arms.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KJ8...ature=youtu.be

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Originally Posted by YouKnowWho

Of course you want to chase your opponent's arms. If you can disable your opponent's arms, your opponent's arms won't give you any trouble. Don't wait for your opponent's fist to come toward you. You go directly to his arms.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KJ8LrAcmys&feature=youtu.be

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I would disagree with the idea of wanting to ever chase an opponents arms. This puts your focus on the wrong thing and opens you to counter attack.

I believe that what WSL, and others, means is that you should not be concentrated on the opponents arms but train to strike to the opponents center or body.
As an example, when defending against a weapon like a stick or knife, often one can become so focused on trying to control the weapon that they actually open themselves to other attacks. However, if you train to bypass the weapon and attack you actually are safer than when you just focus on controlling the weapon.

If you don't neutralize the opponents arms then they can easily counter attack. Most kung fu teaches to trap or tame the arms and then strike, kick, or throw. Ignoring the opponents arms in favor of just striking is a good way to end up trading blows, not a good thing ever.

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Originally Posted by Neeros

If you don't neutralize the opponents arms then they can easily counter attack. Most kung fu teaches to trap or tame the arms and then strike, kick, or throw. Ignoring the opponents arms in favor of just striking is a good way to end up trading blows, not a good thing ever.

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Depends on whether you believe you need to make contact with the arms in order to "neutralize" them.

IMO you can nuetralize the arms without making contact.
You don't ignore but you should not make them your main focus.

There are many examples where you bypass the arms and strike or grapple etc. and it works.

For example, the opponent attacks with a punch and you use footwork to evade and get to the side or their rear and apply a choke or grapple.
In this case you did not have to make contact with the arms but you still got the job done. Perhaps not the best example but easier to show than write sometimes.

you can not chi sao your way out of a fight...chi sao is only a methond to train has nothing to do with brutal fighing