By: Jim Roselando

As we continue to learn about our fighting system one must take a look and experience other methods, approaches, concepts and applications. During a recent sparring session I discovered how much of an emphasis that many lineages place on heavy grabbing. Is this the only way to control your opponent? If you eliminated the heavy Lop (grasping) action would you still be able to fight or would you be in a world of trouble? With this in mind I would like to discuss some of the concepts of the Grasping Hand of Leung Jan's Pin Sun Wing Chun teaching and some of the most common applications I have felt and witnessed.

When the Pin Sun Wing Chun pupil learns any skill they are taught specific partner sets to develop the skill learned. After sufficient time is spent developing the skills they are then taught how to free them in Chi Sao/Jao Sao. In any lineage it is not un-usual, during sticking hands, many beginners prefer to reply solely on Pak Sao (slapping hand), Chung Choi (thrusting fist), Bong Sao (wing hand) and of course the ever popular Lop Sao (grasping hand). As sensitivity develops many of the other methods start to appear. The programmed reactions begin to become natural responses.

If one does not explore and develop the many skills of their Wing Chun we can assume that the Wing Chun may not ever develop past a portion of Siu Lin Tau level application. No matter what system of Wing Chun you preserve you have to break down your actions found within the forms and learn to apply them on your opponent. This would be offensively and defensively but in the end the two become one. Initially we learn the defensive application. You must have someone attack you and feel how to apply your skill. Secondly, you must feel when the time is right to utilize that same skill trained to initiate the application. Without going thru this process you will never have full usage of your methods found within your forms but in the end it will all be offensive.

From people visiting our club, and from viewing countless tapes, I can see that the heavy "Death Grip" Lop Sao is by far the most overly utilized skill. The most common problem is found within the holding on. There are times when Lop Sao must be applied otherwise we would not have it in our arsenal but the holding on is where the big mistake is located. After you perform the Lop Sao do you maintain a grip or just use a light touch control as the Lop is already been completed? When you hold someone, or are nervous to let go, because you only have a limited amount of development with your other skills you do not help advance your Wing Chun. Almost all of the sensitivity training in Wing Chun focuses on the Kiu (bridge). Extending your hands out and holding with you palms just isn't how to control your opponent. Performing a Lop Sao and then squeezing or holding it down is not controlling your opponent. In the teaching of Dr. Leung Jan we believe that grabbing is only for a "split" second. Everything is touch and go! Dr. Leung Jan taught that in a fight grabbing is not going to happen for more than a moment. Do not think you can hold a person in a street fight as this is not realistic!

One way to enhance your feeling hand skills is to train your chi sao "without" grabbing. Yes, without grabbing! You will be pleasantly surprised to the fact that much more skill will come out. Also, you can produce the same results without all the grabbing. Other controlling hands such as Lim Sao (sickle hand), Kau Sao (hooking hand), Tan Sao (spreading hand), Gum Sao (pinning hand), Tok Sao (lifting hand), Got Sao (cutting hand), etc. are designed to produce specific controlling results and need not grasp or hold for safety.

If you eliminate the Death Grip from your Chi Sao/Jao Sao you may feel a bit uncomfortable in the beginning. You may even end up being hit more than usual! Is it better to be hit in class rather than on the street? Also, by eliminating the excessive grabbing you will reduce the opportunity your partner has to kick you. Many superb results can happen from this training but one has to be willing to look in the mirror, take an honest look at their boxing and decide if there could be some truth to what is being said in this article or are they happy with the amount of Wing Chun being used in their fighting! With all the above information being said I would like to leave you with this one final thought. If the art of Wing Chun was truly developed by a "woman", do you think a woman would try and grab/hold you down in a fight?