Wing Chun's Bong Sao

The Bong Sao is probably the least understood or appreciated technique in Wing Chun 詠春. Yet it’s multiple applications are critical to the style and are unique in martial arts.
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[@davidwilliams4837]

Great video. New subscriber. I like how you address so many neglected elements. The coordination of all joints when relaxed and sensitivity is vital. There are many Bong Sao's as well as many Tan Sao's with differing ideas and purposes. When evading, we can also turn along the "fixed" pole of the spine by accepting opponent force to redirect our position as necessary [for a better line of attack]. This works great against people charging in as if we use proper structure and stance their force will shift us naturally and they will be deflected off our center-line. You make note of this when mentioning "hip" work [and spine work or rotation: like a tether-ball swiveling around a pole]. This idea of steering, swiveling [via hips] to shift is VITAL to effective Wing Chun. Bong also adds incredible mechanical advantage when transitioning from Tan Sao [or back] because of the elbow movement and rotation. With our centered [and "connected" mass] through the elbow we can add "weight" [or the reverse of this idea is to upend or remove the opponent's "weight" by Tok Sao]. I'm glad you mention jamming as most don't speak of this. It is also useful to frame against the shoulder of an opponent then roll to Fook Sao [behind the neck] while moving elbow force through for a Wing Chun head throw or take-down. Wing Chun truly is an ingenious, but criminally misunderstood system as most think each move has only "one" application. You mention footwork: My personal view is if we are truly advanced with the Bong Sao the footwork is less important than proper stance and spine rotation as we can accept, borrow and use our opponent's energy to turn us freely like a turnstile into a better line of force [and deflect them from our center]. Bong is particularly useful against angled or offline attacks and also allows us to feel force, roll, then apply our "weight" by transitioning to the elbow in one motion. In other words, we don't really have to move as our opponent must invade our space to attack. We must simply frame properly and react. Wing Chun footwork [such as the inward crescent "bypassing step" is more meant to shift our center through our opponent's "base" and invade or take-down an opponent in close-quarters. When we shift or "turn the horse" [if our stance is correct] it is triggered via the steering wheel of the hips [a quick twitch, fire just on the outside as well as a squeeze along the spine]. Our feet simply pivot as a result. This allows quick punching and violent redirection in close-quarters even if we have little room to "move" or step. We turn the horse with our hips, not via our feet as our feet should be connected to center and will want to maintain a certain elastic width. All movement or pivoting energy should come from our "center" [area in the "gearbox" or transmission some call the tailbone, but it is really felt in a twinge in the lowest vertebrae, yet more inward]. It's our center of mass, which should be equidistant within our hips [with a straight spine] for stability and balance or our stance. When we are able to "feel' the center with a touch then take-downs become much easier because we only need to displace our opponent's "center" [tailbone for shorthand] to take their balance. Once they lack balance, they cannot respond. Position provides Opportunity. Balance enables response. We must seek both and take both at all times. Glad to find this channel. Wing Chun always. Thank you for sharing this art.

[@barrypangkungfu7629]

Thank you for your thoughtful comment. You may also be interested in this article: barrypangkungfu.com/4-levels-footwork/. You can also follow us on Facebook for latest updates and (potential) webinar opportunities.

[@PPlex66]

Superb explanation, thank you very much!

[@huaxzhang]

Great explanation!

[@barrypangkungfu7629]

You may also like this related video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nX2ckGStlp5_ic0

[@huaxzhang]

@@barrypangkungfu7629 Thanks. Watched that already while I tried to gain some more insights to this basic.

[@huaxzhang]

@@barrypangkungfu7629 For someone that has no partner to work on chi sao, would a wing chun ring practice help?

[@barrypangkungfu7629]

@@huaxzhang There is really no substitute for partner-work where it comes to Chi Sao. The current pandemic is preventing most students around the world from practicing this. Without a partner, work on your basic forms. Relaxed hands, sinking weight into a strong stance and use correct techniques. See also: kzbin.info/www/bejne/lYe5lYurZb-CirM

[@kammykwok2888]

🙏❤️🙏👨🏻‍🎓📚📖 Big Thanks to our Master Barry Pang 🙏❤️🙏. from Australia 🇦🇺

[@wcwingchun1496]

Excellent use of Yiu Ma.

[@control5835]

Absolutely agreed, Bong Sau is essential and can even be built into styles such as Judo- as they go past you can then trip them!

[@Kryptoz]

Thanks. Stepping with Bong Sau has been part of Traditional Wing Chun Chum Kiu, whereas Yip Man WT just pivots on the same spot. Now it makes more sense!

[@barrypangkungfu7629]

Mobility at different ranges is important. We look outside of Wing Chun where needed to build on this.

[@mujjamedia8131]

I like the steps 🤝🤝🤝🤝 thank you teacher

[@JC-lg3ue]

Bong sau is used as a transition

[@rawrfishing]

i dunno if there is a video that explain this better than this

[@Lieutenant-Dan]

Can sound good in theory but trying to redirect a jab this way at full speed would be very hard. Jabs snap out and back quickly, they aren't following through and moving forward as you eluded to. A jab from a trained boxer is snapping out as a feeler and quite often followed up by another punch. This technique would be better against an untrained fighter throwing a haymaker or a power punch.

[@heinzegger7746]

Yes! Agree… because they use bong sao as a defending move in a posing way… thats why so many wing chun guys lose to boxers etc.

[@Bevallalom]

I kindly disagree. Bong sau is never a block and never started with bong sao as such. Surely not against a quick straight punch. Its more useful in a clinch situation when you are grappling with the opponent ( as lots of fights end up with grappling). Its a fast transition movement and once the transition is finished you are no longer in bong sau (meaning most of the time you only do a portion of the bong sau). And surely you dont stand in bong sau like that. Bong sau when finished is a weak structure. It is in motion when it shines.

[@huaxzhang]

A number of videos I watched mentioned bong Sao is not the first technique to use on contact. Do you typically use tan, feel the pressure then change/collapse to bong? Would there be enough time to turn or even side-step in practice?

[@barrypangkungfu7629]

First contact could be through a variety of techniques. The loose Bong Sao could be an option. Key thing is that you don't contact with tense arms, as this will help stronger opponents. There is no set formula to the movements, as the range/distance/position to your opponent is constantly changing. You may be able to sidestep at long range. Or pivot once the hands are in contact (by reflex).

[@huaxzhang]

@@barrypangkungfu7629 Just started JKD recently. One drill is Bong sau lap da when my right punch is obstructed by my opponent's left hand. Question is whether I can do the same if opponent parries with his right hand. Turning my stance in this case seems awkward, may be even wrong, from facing standpoint. On another note, JKD advocates use of right lead. If I punch with left, run into resistance, it also seems awkward to apply bong sau from my left arm. Again can't turn my stance to outside. This brings to Wing Chun stance in fighting. Is it correct to say Wing Chun practitioner faces opponent square on (again, facing)? When I brought this up, I was dismissed, "yee Gi Ma" is only for training. I wasn't referring to "Yee Gi Ma". What are your thoughts from traditional Wing Chun view points?

[@barrypangkungfu7629]

@@huaxzhang Yes, Wing Chun practitioners face square-on to their opponents so that both hands can be used equally. This enables techniques like chain-punching along the centreline. The typical stance in fighting/sparring is the 'Back Stance' (either leg can be forward or back). The toes-inward training stance is just an efficient way to condition the legs whilst working on hand techniques. In other words, it strengthens both legs for use in the Back Stance. For more see: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d3_GeWOen61-e7c

[@huaxzhang]

@@barrypangkungfu7629 In the back stance with right lead leg, can a left punch turn into bong and possibly turn hip when it encounters pressure?

[@barrypangkungfu7629]

@@huaxzhang Reactions to pressure need to be automatic and have to be able to cope with whatever stance arrangement you happen to be in when this occurs. Potentially a reverse side-step in this case.

[@homelanderthe7icandowhatev466]

Good Clip . Bong is like Pak sao. not a block. In pressure foreward a aid from distroy the center of partner in fast movement. Than 3.14 Pi is the natural mechanique in move. But ! Good Clip to theory of Bong Sao.

[@barrypangkungfu7629]

You may also like: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nX2ckGStlp5_ic0

[@infowarsAU]

I luv it to evade I luv it , duojie sifu

[@jn8851]

Sure, wing chun looks great in the movies, no other styles have these techniques. But they got smash in the ring with the thai boxer

[@minasz]

He talks about that WC is able to stand against stronger opponents. This is a fantasy that came from the legend it is a womans art. But in HARD reality i think WC has difficulties standing against opponents that are evenly matched by strength or weight. It has difficulties cuz its all make believe techniques and focussing on multiple traps instead of hitting the damn guy or girl. Wing Chun will lose in many cases against other styles for this reason. If the focus was on hitting so by also doing many sparring sessions it will reveil what works or not. Bong sao can be used as an arm that it there accidentaly but if you think you can really use this you ll be hit hard on the nose. So what this guys says on 3.43 is just exactly why WC guys are in disadventage cuz they believe this is a position they will be in trouble. Well this position is real fighting and is 98 procent of the time in a fight. Even if you think you will go the blind side. And believe me i know what im talking about. I believe if WC wants to be a dangerous art and want to make their trapping usefull and let it work. They should embrace that 3.43 dirty boxing position and go for it. See what works for you and hit the really try to hit instead of waving hands.

[@barrypangkungfu7629]

It's more to do with recognising that strength vs strength is not a good strategy, regardless of the style. If well-trained, redirection techniques like these operate instinctively when arms clash, improving attacking opportunities. See our Wing Chun Punch video for the attacking side of the coin.

[@borahcn]

@minasz this is traditional wing chun. This practitioner uses bong Sao as a block, But if your opponent is stronger punches than your block you will get a hit. Watch Emin Boztepe. Bong Sao is a reaction, what if your opponent fakes a punch and you do bong Sao you will get hit again. But if you punch first there is two options; first if he fakes and takes his arm back he will get a dozens of chain punches. If he doesn't fakes then his and your arm will have a contact when punching, if your punch is stronger with a steong wing chun step you will punch his face, but If he's stronger your arm doesn't get back the pressure and turn to bong Sao. ( but careful you're not the one making your arm bong Sao its your opponent.)

[@heinzegger7746]

👍

[@neilrogers6767]

Wing chun needs sparring so that the pupil has a better understanding of how to apply techniques under pressure. Too many fall apart against aggressive opponents and forget their footwork and positions.

[@NIELSENMANOR]

Not true Steven Seagal make the Bong Sao in his aikido system and he is not a wing Tsun guy I know he is friend with Samuel from ip man wing Tsun maybe Samuel showed him the bong Sao and he put it in his aikido system!

[@dhiruparmar8908]

The truth in my opinion is you cannot use Bong sau on a Real Boxers hook punch there hook punches are tight. Bong sau will probably work on wide hay makers. You have to remember hook punches in the old days were wide you can see it coming. In todays time hook punches are fast in very close range and tight and cant see it coming. Try it and you will find out the truth before its too late in real situations.

[@barrypangkungfu7629]

Very aware of the need to counter different styles of fighting (See our Beyond Centreline Theory video). Main idea here is developing the ability to intercept hands and take control form there.

[@p-medical3012]

Right on

[@TheeMrAbz]

That bong sau is terrible , anyone with some training can easily go under and strike you. A proper bong sau has the wrist higher than the elbow , with the shoulder on the yang line and the elbow on the ying line. This covers all the area across the body and to stick to the hands with internal energy . This is what real Wing Chun is . No these many deritivate versions , watered down, over explained and absolutely not effective .