It has taken me quite some time to put together this rather complex topic and finally, after much deliberation, I have decided to explain my thoughts on the typical evolution of progress through Chi Sau training. Ultimately all elements correlate to advance, not just an individual’s Chi Sau skills, but in fact their Wing Chun as a whole.
These elements are progressively developed, where each represent a level of attainment that are constantly improving through practice. Elements highly are interrelated. Consider for example muscle memory relies on technique. Through repetition of a technique, in time the action becomes embedded in muscle memory.
The following diagram is a guide of how elements are associated with each other. The combinations are not a golden rule rather a way of gauging progress, where the solid arrows are typical of higher attainment and the dotted are common development routes which contribute help to reach that higher level along the way.
Right now I am focusing mostly on the “concrete” external aspects and will be covering each. I also plan to cover the “abstract” internal path later, which is just as important and interrelated, but it is very much a personal journey.
Topics: abstract, attack, chi sau, concrete, control, coordination, evolution, external, fan sau, guide, improvement, internal, movement, muscle memory, progress, reactions, reflex, simultaneous, spacial awareness, structure, technique, training
