Chi Sao in Three Stages

Chi Sao is a sensitivity drill and an inside fighting drill.  This means we use it to try and become more aware of what our partner is doing and to get used to defending ourselves when we are within arms reach of our partner.

In this video, the drill is broken down into three stages:

1- In which there is a leader and a follower.  No strikes are thrown.  The purpose of this stage is to get students comfortable with being close to a partner and becoming aware of their movements.

2- In which there is a striker and an evader.  The striker throws punches (and kicks, if allowed) with the intent to make contact.  The evader tries to get out of the way.

3- In which both students strike and evade.  Again, strikes should be thrown with the intent to make contact but at a speed that leaves both participants feeling like they won’t be injured during the drill.  Eventually, when practicing stage 3, everything (throws, locks, head butts, pokes, pinches, kicks, punches, etc) should be fair game.