Master Tse’s Wing Chun Note 309

Yan Jéung 印掌, Jihk Jéung 直掌, Gahm Sáu 㩒手, Ngun Jéung 䟴掌 – Part 3

Master Tse using Gahm Sáu 㩒手

If someone was to throw a punch at us, we will often use Páak Sáu 拍手 to block it. After we have blocked it we will often also hold on to their hand before we strike back. If we are doing this, we should know that this is actually Gahm Sáu 㩒手, because it holds onto the opponent’s hand. However, from day one, when we first start learning Wing Chun, we always say Páak Sáu. So What is Páak Sáu?

“Páak 拍” means “Slap” and therefore “Páak Sáu” means “Slapping Hand”. If we slap something hard there will always be a loud slapping sound. If we slap someone’s face it will leave a red mark, a bruise, or may even cut them. A slap is hard, hard enough the damage whatever is being slapped. If someone throws a punch and you block it with Páak Sáu the punching hand should be slapped away. So Páak Sáu is much harder than Gahm Sáu. Paak Sáu is slapping and Gahm Sáu is holding on, therefore Gahm Sáu is soft. So, to determine which hand technique is being used depends on the energy being used, whether we use it for slapping or holding on. However, since we have been calling all the hands techniques that block a punch with the palm crossing over our chest Paak Sáu, we should carry on calling it Paak Sáu rather than Gahm Sáu otherwise it will create too much confusions.

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