Master Tse’s Wing Chun Notes #12

Bong Sau 膀手

Bong Sau 膀手 is the third Wing Chun hand technique that we should learn after learning Wu Sau護手 and Taan Sau 攤手. Bong means Wing so Bong Sau means Wing Hand.  Actually the pronunciation is in Mandarin not Cantonese.  In Cantonese writing people like to write “tie”.  In Cantonese wing is pronounced “Bon” so it does not sound the same, but in Cantonese tie is pronounced “Bong”.  This is because China has so many dialects and different accents.

Wing Chun Bong SauBong Sau is like a wing. The elbow is out, the upper arm is firm, the forearm and palm are relaxed.   Bong Sau contacts our opponent’s attack about two fingers above the wrist, which should also be at the Centre of our chest. The height of the Bong Sau depends on the height of your opponent.  If your opponent is taller than you, then your Bong Sau will be higher, and if they are shorter than you, then your Bong Sau can be lower.

To be good at Bong Sau is not easy as it is one of the most difficult hands to do.  When you use a single handed Bong Sau the body must turn 45 degrees. If we have contact with both hands, like in double hand Chi Sau, then we can face the opponent square on.

Bong Sau diverts the opponent’s energy when it is coming towards us.  Once it has been diverted we can use the Wu Sau to grab the attacking hand with the Bong Sau changing to a chop. Bong Sau can also change to Taan Sau and then a strike.  There are so many ways to use Bong Sau in Wing Chun.  When our footwork is very good, we can use Cheong Bong Sau which means Long Bong Sau.  With this Bong Sau we do not need to use Wu Sau.  If you can do this well, then it means your Bong Sau skill is very high and your sensitivity and footwork are also very good.

Michael Tse

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.