Grandmaster Tse’s Wing Chun Note 409

Hiding our Energy

Whilst I do not use Páak Sáu 拍手 – Slapping Hand, a lot I will use Gahm Sáu 㩒手 – Holding On (to something) Hand often. The reason for this is that when we have a lot of experience in Chī Sáu 黐手 – Sticking Hands, we do not want to use a lot of force. A high-level opponent can use any force against us. Therefore, the more senior you are the more relaxed your hands will be. This is one reason that it is rare for me to use Páak Sáu. Having said that, we can also use Páak Sáu to test our opponent. Instead of trying to slap their hand away, we slap their hand and then remain in contact with them holding on with Gahm Sáu 㩒手. This makes them think we are trying to hit them and causes them to use force to defend themselves and this makes them tense, and this is what we want! Once they are tense, we can use Laap Sáu 擸手 – Grasping Hand, or Tok Sáu 托手 – Lifting Hand, or any other hand technique to control them and then finish them. Senior’s like to hide their energy so that the opponent cannot feel what they are doing, and the seniors will wait for the situation is good for them and then attack. Seniors will also create situations that make their opponent make a mistake and then hit them. Hiding your energy is the safe way in Chī Sáu.