Wing Chun Tan Sau Block

In Wing Chun Self Defense we do not block. All of our movements serve a purpose of recovering from a "screw up" in a fight. In other words, based on the nature of what Wing Chun is, (simple, direct and attacking self defense)our centerline punch attack should begin and end the attack. However, as most of us who train know, the fight has a strong chance of not ending there...i.e. someone may block, deflect, slip or move out of the way of our attack. Or they may even fire their own attack back.

As I said before, Wing Chun does not have "blocks" as we do not like to think of them as defensive, but for the sake of dialogue, we shall call Tan Sau the Palm Up or Sky Palm Block.

One of the common mistakes taught by Wing Chun instructors is that the Tan Sau is a block that can withstand energy from a hook punch or round house.

This may be true for some people, however height has a part to play in this as far as structure goes.

Tan Sau by nature is found in the Sil Lim Tao form in the first section and is noted to have the same principle as the centerline punch...elbow down and energy forward. Therefore Tan Sau is a wedging block which thrusts forward to intercept incoming and direct energy such as a push, straight punch or any energy that is direct to our mid level.

Tan Sau wastes it potential if we veer it off to the side for incoming side energy as by the nature of being a forward attack, it swiftly becomes our next weapon which is closest to the target.

The first form, Sil Lim Tao, teaches us everything about the Wing Chun fighting system. If your form is good, your technique will be good. Do not try to re-invent the wheel. Stick with simplicity, structure, directness and adhere to the Wing Chun concepts.

For Wing Chun Self Defense classes in the Chicago area visit www.izzo-training.com

Dominick Izzo
Wing Chun Self Defense Instructor
www.izzo-training.com
847.875.0458
Self Defense Classes in the Chicago Northwest Suburban Area