Calling Shaolin!

[2Green]

Hi Shaolin; have a WCK (Wing Chun Kungfu) question. ( asked Stryke similar regarding Shotokan).
What areas of the forearm make contact with incoming punches/kicks when you "block" (intercept, join, redirect, etc.) the attack?
The areas in question would be topside, underside, outside, inside.

Topside is where most look at their watch, outside is in line with little finger, inside in line with thumb, underside is palm-side.

Maybe you could elaborate on which are used for which type of block/defense etc. ?

NM

[Shaolin]

Hi Shaolin; have a WCK (Wing Chun Kungfu) question. ( asked Stryke similar regarding Shotokan).
What areas of the forearm make contact with incoming punches/kicks when you "block" (intercept, join, redirect, etc.) the attack?
The areas in question would be topside, underside, outside, inside.

Topside is where most look at their watch, outside is in line with little finger, inside in line with thumb, underside is palm-side.

Maybe you could elaborate on which are used for which type of block/defense etc. ?

NM

Hi 2Green,

After thinking about this for a little while I think the answer is: All of the above with combos plus some.

Contact points (arms only) as per your definitions plus:

Top forearm
Bottom forearm
Side forearm
Underside forearm
Bottom wrist
Top wrist
Palm
Palm blade
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Top Forearm


Man Sao (Asking Hand)
Arm is extended almost straight out aiming at the opponent's center. Contact on top and/or side. Used in ‘ready’ posture. Position does not stay, instead it sticks and guides incoming weapon into a controlled position. The final position could be almost any controlling or clearing tool.

Tan Sao (Dispersing Hand)
Similar to the Sanchin palm up position but elbow and wrist positioned close to Centerline. Done with open hand, palm up and fingers point roughly to opponents clavicle. Uses forward spring energy from elbow. Used as a penetrating soft deflection an opening tool or to jam. Closes off the outside middle gate. Converts to any open hand strike esp. ‘palm heel’ or a Fan Cup Choy (similar to a Shovel Hook punch.)

Bottom Forearm

Fook Sao (Bridge Arm)
Position does not stay and converts into a clearing tool to open the line. Closes off inside middle gate. Uses forward spring energy from elbow. Used as a soft deflection and as a penetrating/opening tool.

Jum Sao (Sinking Arm)
Position does not stay. A bit like a karate chop, redirects down. Very similar to Fook Sao but sinks or drops from the elbow to clear the line. May follow a Fook Sao or Wu Sao. Often used with Poy Jum - a hit from below. May convert into a punch or Lop Sao (grabbling hand) to finish a clear.

Lop Sao (Grabbing Hand)
Controlling position used to immobilize opponent’s tool. Thumb does not wrap. Similar to the Crane/Uechi Bird hand. Is often preceded by a Man Sao, Jum Sao or Wu Sao. Converts into a strike, Side Palm, Palm or punch.

Bottom Wrist

Jut Sao (Jerking Hand)
Contact on bottom/side wrist. Position does not stay. Often done from Fook Sao or Jum Sao. Is used to clear the line using a sudden jerking motion, sometimes in and downward and redirects energy. Converts most often into a punch or palm.

Outside Forearm

Wu Sao – elbow out (Protecting Hand)
Contact can vary between palm blade and outer forearm. Position sometimes used in ready posture. Looks like single praying hand, fingers point up with elbow out. Wu may not always have same shape but sometime holds space or used to maintain minimal space*, issue energy (push/jam). May convert into other tools.

Chung Choy (Sun Punch)
Vertical punch used as often to establish contact or deflect high/middle inside or even outside gate, as it is to strike. Position does not stay and will typically convert into a clearing tool to open the line if no connection with target is attained.

Deem Jung (Palm Strike)
Used often to deflect high outside gate while striking. May convert to control after delivery and or into another strike.

Biu Sao (Shooting Hand)
Similar to Karate Spear Hand. Used often to deflect high outside gate – often uses crossed arm reference point. May also be used as an inside jam or finger strike to eyes (Biu Jee.) May convert to control after delivery and or into another strike.

Wong Jung (Side Palm Strike) Fan Cup Choy also applies.
Used often to deflect middle outside gate while striking. May convert to control after delivery and or into another strike.

Bong Sao (Wing Arm)
Used to deflect high outside gate or follows a collapsed Tan Sao. Used with forward energy from the wrist and elbow. Elbow is higher than wrist, fingers droop. Often used with Wu Sao in a flinch response. Used to redirect energy across the opponent’s Centerline closing off facing of opponent. Position does not stay and often converts into a Punch, Tan Sao or Lop Sao or Lan Sao (horizontal chop.)

Gong Sao (Splitting Hand)
Bears some resemblance to an open handed down block palm facing toward the body. One of the few tools used to deflect outside low gate with the hands (legs more often used for this). Most often used to deflect and close off middle gate kicks, though also could be used against low strikes. It is used with a slight lateral movement and forward energy. It barely sticks and will convert/rise to resume middle or upper gate strikes.

Palm

Pak Sao (Slapping Hand)
Used to receive incoming weapon or clear. Uses forward energy from wrist. Position similar to Wu Sao. When applied against/with high energy a loud slapping sound may be heard. Clears the line by pressing into the Centerline and can pin opponent’s tool against his body. May be used to free other hand when grabbed. Often used with a simultaneous punch, then called Pak Da, often converts into Lan Sao.

Modified Jut Sao (Jerking Hand)
From longer range. Similar to regular Jut sao but contact is with a finger wrap and palm rather than wrist or lower forearm. Used to clear. Will convert into Lan Sao or other strike.

Note:
Most positions are similar and so changing from one to another requires only a very small movement.

Feel free to hit me with any follow-up questions.

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Well that's most of them anyway. I'm tired.

For some visual references with limited examples that may or may not be 100% correct:

www.wingchuninteractive.com

Jim