Wing Chun focuses on borrowing the force of our opponent, which requires that we give way to that force. This “giving” can be in the form of side-stepping, as well as stepping backwards in response to heavy-hitting opponents (and we have no where else to go).
However, side-stepping is not always the most advantageous. Standing our ground and driving directly forward can be the simpler path, which makes it the most efficient. Chi-sau is the vehicle for guiding us through the opponent’s actions, but it is also the primary factor of telling us how to approach it in the first place.
For example, Chi-sau teaches us to use the opponent’s actions back against him. If he hooks, Fook-sau can halt or re-direct it, but it is also telling us if his momentum is coming forward. If so, we may need to step out of the path so that we do not collide with it. And if his momentum is not coming forward, e.g. his body is not coming forward, then the angle of his hook punch is different. Instead of the entire arm coming forward, some of that trajectory is coming from the outside in (across our center) and that means we can either drive in to shorten the distance or stay put. Staying put, we let the hook pass and then follow in as it goes by.
Where “standing your ground” comes into play is that many times, a practitioner will get so caught up in “giving way” to the opponent that they find themselves moving all over the place. So where is the common ground? How do we know when to keep driving forward and when to step to the side or backwards?
That is something I will let you ponder for a while. I have a few ideas about it but I would rather wait for a bit and give you time to think. In a couple days, come back and we will see where it leads us.
Mark Beardsell
June 2, 2009 at 4:16 AM
Hi Sifu
My personal thoughts are standing your ground is the correct thing to do WHEN your path is free and there is no obstruction by this I mean the amount of oncoming force you are receiving is less than your own, if you have too much oncoming force or your opponent is too strong you need to give way, UNLESS you use techniques like biu-tze-sau towards the eyes or throat than it does not matter how big your opponent is they are going to end up fatally wounded if they do not back away.
All the best
Mark
deacon
June 2, 2009 at 6:42 AM
I believe that, as a general rule, it is typically better to not “give up” ground. Shifting is more preferable because nothing is given up. Moving backward can be very dangerous and can quickly go beyond control.
It is better to “control” from the beginning. By control, I don’t mean rushing in, but immediately being the complement to the partner/opponent which allows a path to guide the event. It is always prudent to get out of the way (ha), but moving backward against a skilled (or intuitive) partner/opponent will prompt them to close that gap which could put you in a perpetual defensive position instead of the more harmonious offensive/defensive position. When you are purely defending, it is only a matter of time before a mistake is made.
Of course, in a real situation, we don’t have time to “think” and it is even best if we aren’t “too” conditioned to predisposed responses since a fight is a living thing and truly is unpredictable and uncontrollable. It can, however be guided. Ultimately if your safety is on the line, dogma goes out of the window and you must do whatever will bring the event to an end as quickly as possible.
montyhendrix
June 5, 2009 at 9:01 PM
I think this whole topic shows why Chi-Sau is important b/c I think that it will help me to develop the sensitivity to feel what to do – give way to the force or push through when their defenses are off center.
I like the whole Idea of “sticking” to the opponent. Truthfully, a person who hasn’t experienced that stick, would probably become very frustrated when they first encounter it and feel completely smothered – like they just stepped into a hornets nest. JMO.
-Monty