As we continue to learn about our fighting system we must take a look and experience other methods, approaches, concepts and applications. During a recent sparring session I discovered how much of an emphasis 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 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 it. After sufficient time is spent developing the skills they are then taught how to free them in Chi Sao/Jao SaoDduring Chi Sao (in any lineage) beginners will sometimes prefer to rely 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 and the programmed reactions begin to become natural responses.

If we do not explore and develop the many skills of 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 we preserve we have to break down the actions found within the forms and learn to apply them on our opponent, both offensively and defensively (though in the end the two become one).

Initially we learn the defensive application. We must have someone attack us and feel how to apply our skill. Secondly we feel when the time is right to utilize that same skill trained to initiate the application. Without going thru this process we will never have full usage of the methods found within our 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 with excessive ‘holding on”. There are times when Lop Sao must be applied otherwise we would not have it in our arsenal but the “death grip” is where the big mistake is located. After we perform the Lop Sao do we maintain a grip or just use a light touch control as the Lop has already been completed? When we hold someone, are we nervous to let go because we only have a limited amount of development with other skills? If so, how do we advance our Wing Chun? Almost all of the sensitivity training in Wing Chun focuses on the Kiu (bridge). Extending our hands out and holding with our palms just isn’t how to control our opponent. Performing a Lop Sao and then squeezing or holding it down is not controlling our 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 our feeling hand skills is to train our chi sao without grabbing. Yes, without grabbing! It’s a pleasant surprised to see how much more skill will come out. Also, we 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.

Sure, if we eliminate the “death grip” from our Chi Sao/Jao Sao we may feel a bit uncomfortable in the beginning. We may even end up being hit more than usual! But is it better to be hit in class rather than on the street? Also, by eliminating the excessive grabbing we will reduce the opportunity for our partner to kick us. Many superb results can happen from this training but we have to be willing to look in the mirror, take an honest look at our boxing and decide if there could be some truth to what is being said in this article or we they happy with the amount of Wing Chun being used in our 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?