Chi Sao

From MartialTalk Online Martial Arts Encyclopedia Project

Chi Sao (黐手 literally, "sticky hand") is a Wing Chun term for the principle, and drills based on the principle, of "sticking to" an opponent. This is practiced through two practitioners maintaining contact with each other's forearms while executing techniques, thereby training each other to sense changes in body mechanics, pressure, momentum and "feel". This increased sensitivity gained from this drill helps a practitioner attack and counter an opponent's movements precisely, quickly and with the appropriate technique.

Chi sao is very similar to the hubud-lobud drills of Kali, and looks somewhat like the push hands training of T'ai Chi Ch'uan. Chi sao is also taught in the Jeet Kune Do traditions, and uses modified versions of some of the component techniques such as the bong sao and jut sao.