My Review on the June 25-26 2011 HFYWCK Workshop presented by Grandmaster Garrett Gee
The Topic for Training:
HFY SUP GEE CAO SAO CONCEPT (Written by GM Garrett Gee)
This concept is based on the 2nd section of the HFY Siu Nim Tao form (Pak Sao, Wu Sao & Juk Jurng). HFYWCK Sup Gee Cao Sao will be outlined in three time frames by the HFY progressive training format.
The past weekend training session was geared toward the applications of using one arm to trap two arms, whilst limiting the available tools to only 3 specific techniques to execute the concept. The concept is called HFY Sup Gee Cao Sao, which means Cross, Trap, Lock. Scenarios ranged from knowing how to deal with single strikes, 1 2 punches, and two handed grabs. The three techniques are at the end of the second section of HFYs Siu Lim Tau form.
Illustrated at the end of section two, the first technique is a Pak Sau (slap hand) that moves from one shoulder across the body to the opposite shoulder. The following technique is a Wu Sau (guard hand) that pulls back the same hand across the body to the original shoulder. The remaining technique is a Juk Jurng (side palm) wherein the hand is turned outward and the arm extends forward down the shoulder line leaving a slight bend in the elbow. Now that each of the three primary tools has been identified, we will look at how Grandmaster Gee presented these tools under the concept of Sup Gee Cao Sao.
The first time frame is based on the HFYWCK Centerline Theory. The training consists of solo drills to recognize and establish the HFY formula, reference points (ying) and develop joint faat geng. Also included in this progression is the HFY 2 Line Jong Sao Concept of A. Wu-Chi Jong to Pak Sao Jong and B. Wu Chi Jong to Wu Sao Jong.
Before any two-person application(s) can be experimented with, we must first understand that in order to apply techniques to accomplish the expression of the root concept (Sup Gee Cao Sao) we must first get familiar with the mechanics and the energy components. This is where the solo drills come into the picture. Ying, described as shape, in Hung Fa Yi Wing Chun is the rudimentary element governing all structure. In Hung Fa Yi it is called Sup Ming Dim which means Ten Bright Points. The ten points define key spots within your range of movement necessary to align your body parts within three-dimensional space. After recognizing the HFY Wing Chun Formula for Time and Space, plus the Ying concept, we then drilled the energy training for the arms.
The focal points for the energy training within the Sup Gee Cao Sao center around 5 areas of the arm. Bone, muscle, and tendon, training is done so in the fashion of compression and grinding (Dip Gwat Gung). Grinding and compression of the bones, muscles, and tendons, is done so in a repetitive pattern using the wrist, forearm, knuckles, fingers, and the elbow, of one arm before repeating the process with the other arm. This warms up all the main focal points of the arms in preparation for using joint power on/off energy applications. After cycling through the sets ten times on each side, it was more than enough to get the blood really pumping and the arms charged up!
Following this, Grandmaster Gee demonstrated how to drill the first two tools of Pak Sau Jong and Wu Chi Jong. These two tools were done as a set, and repeated ten more times on each side of the body. This was very helpful in that drilling the motions helped to build a sense of familiarity and also that we could experience the physical relationship on how to move from one tool to the next.
At this point GM Gee shared with us the importance of maintaining ones position when having to deal with an attack. Evading an imminent attack by moving away from it in any way (ie side stepping or retreating) is a contradiction of HFYWCKs Center Line Theory and Occupying Space Concept. Being able to maintain your original position, absorb the attack, and gain superior positioning with minimal action, is a key characteristic in expressing the principle of the Center Line and being capable of expressing how to Bai Jong. In HFY, this is referred to as Square One.
If you can stay true to your position (not leaving it or losing it to the attacker), neutralize the attack, and gain the advantage, where you stand then the rest is much easier to do! The other challenge in this is that you can only use one tool at your disposal and that tool can only be used from four different positions (Mun Sau and Wu Sau positions, left and right sides). This part of the training focused on using ONLY the Jong Sau to defeat a single punch as well as two arm grabs with the goal of gaining a position of advantage on the bridge. These eight scenarios (four with a punch, four for the grabs) aim to teach us the nature of the A to B Center Line (a line/vertical plane of depth from your CoG to the attackers CoG).
The second time frame is based on the HFYWCK Box Theory. This is a two man progression drill to recognize and establish the HFY Box Theory. Required will be demonstrations of HFY inside & outside the box engagement applications to achieve one hand against two hands defense tactics such as 1. Pak Sao Jong vs Cum Na 2. Wu Sao Jong Vs Cum Na 3. Pak Sao Jong vs Punch and 4. Wu Sao Jong Vs Punch. Dantien breathing exercises are included in this section.
While in the first time frame the emphasis laid upon understanding the A to B (front to back) dimension, the second time frame examines the lateral dimension of space (your shoulder to shoulder width). The central theme of the second time frame is based on understanding HFYs Five Line theory. The Pak Sau Jong and Wu Chi Jong are utilized for this [lateral] dimension, and just as in the first timeframe of Sup Gee Cao Sao there are the same 8 scenarios. The difference however is that all 8 are done with the arms down (Wu Chi Jong) at your sides and there is no using the Jong Sau or any on guard position (Pak Sau Jong). Against a single punch and two handed grab, you must be able to apply Pak Sau Jong and Wu Sau Jong from both sides of the body, clear the attacks off the centerline to the shoulder line, achieving control of the bridge point, all without losing Square One. In addition to this, we had to be able to identify the correct application of any of the five energies trained in stage one (wrist, forearm, knuckles, fingers, elbow).