Master Tse’s Wing Chun Notes #33

Dai Jeung 低掌

In the third section of Siu Lim Tao form, there is an application of Bong Sau 膀手. In the sequence we do Bong Sau, Taan Sau 攤手, and Dai Jeung 低掌. Although in the form we hit high with the palm, in practise, the strike should actually be low. In Chinese Martial Arts forms there are many movements. Some of them are obvious and some are not and so you need a Sifu explain to you about their meaning and application. Sometimes they are even done incorrectly on purpose, until the teacher trusts the student. Only when the student has proven themselves will the Sifu teach them the proper way to do it. I think that this part of Siu Lim Tao in particular was being hidden so people did not know how to use it properly.

Dai mean low and Jeung means palm. Dai Jeung is a low palm strike made with the fingers pointing downwards below the wrist. It is the opposite of Jik Jeung (vertical palm). If we try and hit high with the Dai Jeung, we will only hurt our own wrist. Dai Jeung is used to hit the low, front part of the opponent’s body and it is best used when we have stepped to the side of the opponent. When we block the hand close to our body and step to the side, the opponent’s other hand cannot hit us. This is the reason the Dai Bong connects with the Bong Sau. We use the Bong Sau to contact our opponent’s punch and then step to the side, using a left Paak Sau 拍手 to slightly hold his or her elbow and then we hit low with the Dai Jeung.

Remember though, do not use Dai Jeung or Dai Kuen 低拳 in situations where you cannot cover both your opponent’s hands, otherwise you will get hit in the face.

Michael Tse