Key Techniques of Wing Chun
By admin on 2014-12-16

Yin-yang

TAN SAO - palm up block
A Palm up block where the palm of the hand is straight and the fingers are held together with the thumb cocked in and held against the top side of the hand. By holding the thumb in there is a natural tension gained that helps to catch an opponent's incoming power, if you do not hold in your thumb then you risk the block being weak and unable to deflect your opponents strike.

BONG SAO - wing arm block
The Bong Sao (wing arm) uses the little finger side of the arm to deflect your opponents strike with the palm facing the opponent and the fingers held relaxed in line with the center of the body. The elbow forms a 135 degree angle with the wrist lower than the elbow and the elbow higher than the shoulder (depending on the height of your opponent). The thumb is held loose in this block which ensures that the strength is on the little finger side of the arm to correctly deflect the incoming sr tike.

FOOK SAO - controlling arm
It is often said that the Fook Sao is patterned after a foxes paw in that the fingers and the palm should be pointing downwards with the elbow kept tucked in to protect the mid section.

PAK SAO - slapping hand
This is a very effective block similar to a parry used in boxing where the hand is used to slap away your opponents strike to your head. The key to using the Pak Sao is to use it efficiently by ensuring that you only move your hand the minimum amount so that you slap your opponents punch just enough so that it misses you, if you Pak Sao too far then you run the risk of being trapped by your opponent should he pull your Pak Sao down and trap your other arm with it enabling him a free shot at you.

LAP SAO - pulling hand
The Lap Sao is used to pull one arm of your opponent and making him off balance whilst simultaneously striking him with your other hand for example after a Tan Sao block you maintain contact with your opponents striking arm and you rotate your wrist into a Lap Sao and pull him forward onto a strike with your other hand.

Source: Wing Chun Kung Fu training