Chi Sau vs Gwo Sau vs Lat Sau

What are chi sau sections in the Leung Ting system?

To codify the Wing Chun system, Grandmaster Leung Ting ingeniously organized the Chi Sau attacks and defenses he learned from Leung Sheung and Grandmaster Yip Man into two two-person forms. This innovation allowed him to standardize instruction for his worldwide instructors, ensuring everyone learned the complete curriculum. By teaching in "sections," he streamlined instruction for large groups globally and simplified the tracking of student progress, simply asking which section they had mastered. These Chi Sau "sections" were a distinct and valuable contribution by Grandmaster Leung Ting.

Does learning the chi sau sections teach you how to apply the movements for real fighting?

While learning the Chi Sau sections provides a foundation in basic reactions and applications, developing the ability to instinctively apply movements under stress requires training Guo Sau (Chi Sau sparring). This crucial training method was largely kept within Hong Kong, inaccessible to most instructors outside of that region. Consequently, until the late 1990s, during my time with Leung Ting's organization, American Wing Tsun instructors and students, including myself, were not taught Guo Sau; our training was limited to the Chi Sau "sections."

What is guo sau and lat sau?

Think of Guo Sau (Chi Sau sparring) as the natural progression from the structured movements of the Chi Sau "sections" to their live application. It teaches you to flow seamlessly between attack and defense with minimal pause. Initially, all attacks are purely Wing Chun-based, with other techniques introduced only after a solid understanding of basic Guo Sau is achieved. The relaxed fluidity cultivated in Guo Sau training rapidly becomes automatic and instinctive. Beyond application, Guo Sau becomes a valuable space for experimentation, allowing you to explore different attacks and reactions. True mastery lies in achieving this fluid engagement with minimal tension and resistance.

Lat Sau, a concept distinct from "European lat sau," simply describes any moment where contact with your opponent is lost. It's as simple as that: the breaking and subsequent re-establishment of hand contact. This can occur naturally at any stage of Guo Sau practice.

What about free chi sau?

The prevalent "free Chi Sau" practiced outside Hong Kong, while aiming to emulate Guo Sau, often misses the mark. Instead of truly random and mixed movements, it frequently mirrors the predictable applications of the Chi Sau "sections." Attempts to inject spontaneity often lead to disorganized, wrestling-style grappling. While spontaneous flow can be learned through extensive trial and error, this inefficient approach overlooks the existence of an ingenious and readily available solution: the Hong Kong Guo Sau method. Developed and refined in China decades ago, this systematic approach offers a clear pathway to mastering random flow. All that's needed is an open mind and a skilled instructor to guide the learning process.