Like all things in the WCK world - if you get 10 wckers in a room and ask for a definition of pretty much anything, you will get 10 differant definitions - with some overlap.
In the Mainland WCK approach I practise we dont typicaly use the Pak Sau energy- as I learned in H.K WCK. First off the basic expression of Pak Sau in YKS WCK, is actualy called “Chang Sau” / Supporting Palm - and instead of Shocking or slapping, it “Joins” and blends in with , like a suction cup.
In combat, more importantly to the “join” is the attack that occurs with the palm, as one joins. Inch power snaps out to the point of expression on the Palm, but does so, in a way, to not knock the opponents hand away. Not sure if that makes any sence at all. We never push or pull hte opponent away from us. We do Push and Pull methods with the opponents motions, keeping super close distance though.
The force applied can vary. It can subtly join, or be more disruptive and controling. It all is based on what you “feel” from the enemy.
A slap or shock is expressed through the entire hand in Pak Sau, where as the way I do it, expresses force through the smallest point possible, while the rest of my palm, adheres to the opponents arm - setting up further control and disruption
I would say it is the most basic tool for interceping and Joining - while setting up basic control. I would never "intend’ on using Chang/Pak by itself and I have trained my neurology to respond with other responces though.
I would say, traditionaly in YKS WCK, would never chase hands - ever. We are going in to attack our enemy. This includes Striking, Kicking, and structure destruction (arms, body structure, horse),via Seizing and Locking, throwing, sweeping, ect .
I would personaly say, our version of Pak/Chang is a nice tool, for flowing into “Keeping Flank”, when the opponent tries pulling back there arm and launching another strike. One of my personal uses.
Where one applies it, is based on the range of your enemy at the time of your join. Many use Pak/Chang at the wrist, because they use their WCK at wrist distance and keep the opponent at the tip of their extended punch. I personaly dont believe in that as a standard, and at the minimum seek to be elbow distance - The Jong actualy reinforces the correct distance if understood properly.
In my opinion, there is a “sweet spot” ~between~ the wrist and elbow that is the most logical, as it makes it hard for the opponents elbow or wrist to go around your preasure. Of cource many you will encounter wont have that skill of flow around an attack like that -either which way- but I feel one needs to train to maximize, not train to hope you fight someone who is a “half Arsed Fighter”. So optimal in a best case senario, between the wrist and elbow.
I personaly advocate, sliding from the “sweet spot” - up to the elbow, after initial contact, via moving the entire body into the opponents space. Allowing the Palm to slide up and jam their elbow into their body. Which would really be one unbroken motion.
I also believe in "thunder and lighting hands’ which was the nickname of YKS WCKers back in the day. Which is using Pak/chang to Join and than slide up into a Jaw strike , typicaly ~after~ i have slid from the sweet spot, up to the Elbow, by moving my entire structure into the enemies space. These type of strikes are very disorientating and are typicaly used to hit the jaw, nose or ears.
I would say, “its never about hands”, in the WCK context - its about inserting your entire structure into your opponents ,taking his heart and center, with Pak being the most basic tool to train doing this. I would think it necissary to remember we are a “system” which is modular, and that implies we need all parts to be functional.
Thus if one is simply using Pak as a Parry, your using hands against hands, and doesnt, IMO, maximize the WCK method. Inserting your body does though, hence the maxim - “you must have courage to use WCK” - because you dont stand back and flail hands around, you must welcome and keep or go to your opponent. Of cource if one is talking about use in a sport or Non WCK parry methods for sport fighting, I suppose ones life isnt on the line, and it really doesnt matter, but if one is in a life or death situation, you would want to follow the WCK principles, that is if you are a WCKer.
Use of Pak/Chang on the inside is something I wouldnt advocate, but Kulo WCK makes use of it. To use Pak on the inside you would have to use “Same Hand” - Ie the opponents right punch would be paked by our right hand. This is a very illogical thing to do, IMO, on the inside and dangerous against even a basic fighter. A safer, more intuned with the WCK principles responce would be using a left hand motion to Join and intercept the opponents Right (YKS Lan Sau is perfect and substantialy differant to H.K Lan Sau), while we punched, Palmed or Biued with the other arm- Simultaneous intercepting and attacking.
On a side note, use of Lan Sau on the inside would be applied to the Elbow crease of the opponents arm, with a Juen. I feel, you MUST Juen though into the attack as I almost got hooked in the mouth, by not Juening enough, and had to dodge my head to avoid the hit - Oops!
OK enough rambling.
Brian
