Quote Originally Posted by KPM View Post
In TWC there is a "pre-contact" phase. This is the "reading the opponent" part or even the "setting up the opponent" part. I agree with what you are saying as applying in a self-defense situation where you are surprised by an attack. But if you are "squared off" with someone and an exchange is inevitable, I think there is room to read what the opponent is doing and respond before any contact is made. Boxers and kickboxers do this all the time. For instance, you have time to see a wide loopy blow coming and so you respond with a Biu before any contact is made. Or you see a very straight punch coming up the center and you respond with a Pak before any contact is made. And in both cases you might already be using specific footwork as part of the response. So IMHO, I think one can be sensing and reading the energy from an opponent prior to any contact.

I think this idea of Chi Sau teaching everything, and not responding until contact is made, is one of the reasons that Wing Chun is sometimes criticized as having no "long-range or outside game."
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.

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.

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.
Think of a military tactic where you funnel the enemy and make them attack in a certain way and place. This is what the proper presentation of the Wu and Man and stance will accomplish. It will help to limit how the opponent can reach you.
Of course, nothing is perfect and a skilled fighter can draw one out.

Keep in mind that for your opponent to harm you they have to get to you. To do this they have to enter one of your gates.
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.

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.

I remember once asking Leung Ting the best way to deal with one of my Pekiti Tirsia training partners. His response was "no worry just hit them in the nose". If you train to attack and drive forward you may find you can beat even those more "technically" skilled than yourself.

Of course, this is just my opinion based on my training and experiences. Does not mean it is right for anyone or everyone else.