Combat Chi Sau

"Combat Chi Sau"
by Hutch

Combat Chi Sau will prove to be a highly effective addition to any of the martial arts, ranging from Judo to Tae Kwon Do. These are exercises to greatly improve your sensitivity to the opponent's intent. Chi Sau translates loosely to "sticky hands", a name which is quite fitting as you learn to adhere to your opponent, thereby augmenting your sensitivity.

Ask yourself: "How important is it to be able to foresee an attack?"

Let's keep it simple. Think of driving a car....
When driving a car , we....
1. Steer
2. Stop
3. Accelerate

With our COMBAT Chi Sau exercises, we
1. Direct Feed: go the shortest distance to your opponent.
2. Arm Cross: use the opponent's own limbs to block himself.
3. Control the Elbow: direct the opponent's actions via his own elbow.

Combat Chi Sau exercises are taught as concepts, NOT TECHNIQUES!
So, we are NOT LOCKED into a movement, but rather WE ADAPT to what our opponent
gives to us.

The benefits of practicing Combat Chi Sau are many, but my favorite 3 benefits are the
development of:
     1. Arm skills: shoulder blocks; wrist strikes; & elbow manipulation.
     2. Trapping skills: learning to strike and trap is the mainstay of these exercises.
     3. Awareness/sensitivity: employing the "Sticky Hands" concept increases
          awareness of your opponent's aggression allowing you to feel his intent through
          his muscular movements.

So far just words, right? Well, let us flesh out these concepts.
As they say, A picture is worth a thousand words.........


	Concept #1: Direct Feed "Traveling the shortest distance to your opponent"

Direct Feed: Set #1

Direct Feed: Set #2

Direct Feed: Set #3

Direct Feed: Set #4

Concept #2: "Arm Crossing"

                     The second concept is demonstrated to show how the opponent's arms are used to block himself.
                     This can be done in three ways:

                                      1. Pushing the striking arm downward so as to cross the non-striking arm.
                                      2. Lifting the striking arm upward so as to cross the non-striking arm.
                                      3. Causing both arms to cross by pushing one arm up and pushing the other
                                                arm down, while applying force to both arms simultaneously.

Arm Crossing: Set #1

Arm Crossing: Set #2

Arm Crossing: Set #3

Concept #3: Elbow Control

         This third concept calls attention to the manipulation of the elbow joint as a method of controlling the opponent.
         Once again, there are three ways in which this can be done:

                     1. Push the elbow joint downward forcing the opponent's head forward while losing his balance.
                     2. Lift the elbow up to upset the opponent's balance while creating openings for strikes.
                     3. Push the elbow sideways towards the opponent's center. This action destroys the opponent's
                           balance; creates openings for strikes; and nullifies his ability to counterstrike with his other arm.

Elbow Control: Set #1

Elbow Control: Set #2

Elbow Control: Set #3

Elbow Control: Set #4

& That's for making us work so hard!!

Photos by Eden Photography