Originally Posted by
KPM
I never said Chi Sau teaches everything, it helps to train attributes which can be useful in fighting. However, Chi Sau is not fighting and is not even needed to be a good fighter.
---Didn't mean to imply that you did! But we do find this attitude in too many schools that seem to only train Chi Sau and forms.
I think that the idea of pre contact is valid, however trying to set up your response to what you believe the opponent will do can be a dangerous game.
In Silat we will often mirror our opponent in training and we will utilize various fakes to draw them out. However, once contact is made it is a different story.
---Why wouldn't the same apply to Wing Chun?
Certainly can be applied using Wing Chun. I always liked using a Bic Bo to step deeply into my opponent and drive them back disrupting their structure. I just like Silat and using multiple lines, upper and lower
To me, it does not matter what the opponent does as they have to enter one of my gates in order to attack.
If you position yourself properly then you minimize the avenues open to attack and thus limit what the opponent can actually do.
--And I would posit that this is part of reading the opponent's energy or intention prior to any contact.
Perhaps, but to me it does not matter what the opponent does prior to contact. It is only after contact that I care what the opponent does. You can dance around me all day and unless I choose to attack you first my response will only be decided upon contact.
So, whether you respond with a Pak, Bong or whatever will depend on what is presented, after your gate is entered. If you train to respond prior to your gate being breached then, imo, you could fall into the trap of chasing hands.
---I don't necessarily agree with that. It is a possibility, but not one that good training can't overcome. And rather than standing and waiting for the opponent to enter one of your gates, you can moving and to some extent dictate what gate he enters. You might read his energy or intent in the pre-contact phase and adjust your position to make it more favorable for you given what you sense is about to come at you! Or you might use it to draw a specific response that will be easier for you to deal with. But I think this is pretty much what you are saying above, but maybe limiting it to your Silat? I'm just saying that this fits the idea of responding or reacting before contact is made.
But by presenting a strong posture you are limiting the options of entering any gate. In essence you force them to attack in a certain way. Going back to very basic gate theory: With a right Man Sau and Left Wu sau; The opponent has to cros your arms to attack your center and with proper facing/shifting or stance turning, you can force them to enter. If the opponent comes from the outside of your front arm, depending on the energy presented you could react with a Tuan or Bong. If the attack is to the inside or palm side you can use any of the Fook seeds. If the attack is outside the shoulders then it does not matter as he cannot make contact until he enters your space. If you use proper facing then it does not matter if he attacks with a hook, etc as your positioning will provide protection. Of course this relies on you using proper facing so it is not perfect. As I have said before, it is the person and their level of skill which dictates success or failure more than the particular system. Although, some systems provide a better framework than others.
As to a wide looping blow coming in, my preferred response would be to move in and hit the opponent and not worry so much about the looping incoming blow. Same with jamming a kick, by moving in and attacking you not only will often nuetralize the attack but also harm the attacker.
---Nothing wrong with that. I'd probably do the same, but still use the Biu to cover as insurance. But again, are you not responding to what you see coming prior to any contact?