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You are here: Home / Wing Chun / Wing Chun Pak Sao Tips

Wing Chun Pak Sao Tips

February 13, 2014 By Sifu Larry Rivera 15 Comments

WING CHUN PAK SAO

Table Of Contents

Table Of Contents
  1. WATCH | Wing Chun Pak Sao, Tan Sao Drill | Kung Fu Training | Part 1
    • WATCH | Wing Chun Pak Sao, Tan Sao Drill | Kung Fu Training | Part 2
  2. Related Questions:

Do you ever find yourself thinking how you may improve your wing chun pak sao? If that’s the case, you’ve arrived to the correct place. Before we started Enter Shaolin, we uploaded some of our first movies in 2009 and 2010, and today I’d want to share some of those videos with you!

I am also going to share. The purpose of a Wing Chun Pak Sao is broken down into its most fundamental components in this concise video. In the martial art of Wing Chun, the Pak Sao is a standard move that can be found across all of the many Wing Chun lineages.

Pak Sao means: Slap block

This technique is usually used to stop a straight punch coming at you or a cross punch.

You could defend yourself against hook punches with a Wing Chun Pak Sao at least in theory. Having said that, there are other techniques that are superior alternatives that can be used to defend against uppercuts and hook punches.

When we practice the Pak Sao here at Enter Shaolin, we put a lot of emphasis on maintaining good wrist control. That is to say, rather of simply catching a punch with our Pak block, we are able to manage the energy of the strike with our wrists.

The obvious and only exception to this rule is when someone is launching a jab and then pulling back on their punch. Therefore, we would get closer to them in that circumstance.

Here is a simple training drill utilizing the Pak Sao and Tan Sao.

WATCH | Wing Chun Pak Sao, Tan Sao Drill | Kung Fu Training | Part 1

Pro Tip: Both the Pak Sao And Tan Sao can be created by having default hands.


WATCH | Wing Chun Pak Sao, Tan Sao Drill | Kung Fu Training | Part 2

If some of these shorter lessons from our early videos were enjoyable for you, then you will find the training that we have prepared for you inside of Enter Shaolin to be very enjoyable. Since our inception on May 1st, 2014, we have been continually adding new comprehensive and in-depth lessons on a weekly basis ever since!

Related Questions:

What is a Bong Sao? A common Wing Chun move is the Bong Sao or wing arm, which serves as a deflector. It’s done by elevating the elbow and rolling out the forearm.

PRO TIP: When doing a Bong Sao rotate your wrist first in the movement.

If you like our youtube videos you will love the videos we created for you inside our membership. You can learn more about our membership by clicking this link

What type of Wing Chun videos would you like to see?

Happy Training,

IMG 1058 COPY

Sifu Larry Rivera
& The Enter Shaolin Family

1-844-9-KUNGFU

Filed Under: Wing Chun Tagged With: kung fu training, Martial Arts Training, pak sao, wing chun

Have Questions or Comments? Submit Then Below!

Comments

  1. AVATAR OF FAHIM AFahim A says

    April 17, 2020 at 5:34 am

    I learn this thing and you give me more details information and video

    Reply
    • AVATAR OF SIFU PHU NGOSifu Phu Ngo says

      April 19, 2020 at 9:20 am

      Hey Fahim, your’re welcome. That’s what we’re here for, to enhance yours skills and understanding.

      Reply
    • AVATAR OF EDWARD TALAROEdward Talaro says

      June 4, 2020 at 2:15 pm

      The intire concept doing the movements learn key points to be relax verse been tense and reflexes use of the wrist i like your concept Sifu thank you showing

      Reply
      • AVATAR OF SIFU LARRY RIVERASifu Larry Rivera says

        June 8, 2020 at 8:42 am

        Awesome! Glad you are enjoying the training.

        Reply
  2. AVATAR OF TIFFANY STiffany S says

    June 8, 2020 at 3:07 pm

    I loved all of these! The more I watch the more sense everything makes. Such a good teacher. Thank you!

    Reply
    • AVATAR OF ENTER SHAOLINEnter Shaolin says

      July 28, 2020 at 10:30 am

      Hey Tiffany, so glad you enjoyed these tips. And yes, he’s a great teacher!

      Reply
  3. AVATAR OF HASSANHassan says

    July 6, 2020 at 7:28 am

    Hello,

    I like the way you explain the technique, and how we should drive the energy and not to put pressure on the shoulders … I learn a lot.
    Thanks

    Reply
  4. AVATAR OF RODIN MRodin M says

    September 20, 2020 at 11:52 am

    I’ve watched your introductory videos and there’s some great stuff there. However, in the above clips the partner’s distancing is always too far back ie his punches are out of range in the first place. I’m incredibly sceptical (as an ex- boxer) that you could use a pak sao reliably against a fast, in range, untelegraphed strike.

    Reply
    • AVATAR OF SIFU LARRY RIVERASifu Larry Rivera says

      September 23, 2020 at 3:40 pm

      Hi Rodin, what you are not getting is these are tips, everything is situational.

      Personally, I like when people throw jabs because I just weapon strike them. In other words we train to hit the arm so to speak. The Pak Sao doesn’t chase the punch, it only covers the area.

      You also are assuming that we would just stand their while you throw your un telegraphed strikes. Or that our hands won’t be in the way of your furious attack. Or that we are not striking you back with un telegraphed strikes. Or just kicking you instead. Or the hundred other variables that can take place in a split second.

      The truth is, the only thing you can prepare for is being un prepared. It’s good you are skeptical we encourage everyone to test all things. Your response focuses on the finger, while missing all the heavenly glory.

      Reply
  5. AVATAR OF RODINRodin says

    September 29, 2020 at 9:28 am

    Hi Larry,

    I hope your are well. Thanks for replying.

    I’m not making any assumptions about what else you might do, just commenting on exactly what is there.

    If you are demonstrating a technique it has to be against a realistic attack and that means the end of the punch moves through its target if it hits, not clearly stops way before the target.

    It’s a simple jab versus a block/parry and if it doesn’t work under this very artificial condition it stands no chance in the real world.

    Of course, there are many other techniques that could work and if they are demonstrated realistically then there’s no problem. The acid test is it a technique doesn’t work under the very controlled conditions of a drill against a single attack then it’s just a fantasy.

    Get a good amateur boxer in and get him to jab fast and hard to the your face- nothing more- try to get just a few of your technique in successfully over the course of a few minutes of this drill. If the punch is on target and fast and you can Pak Sao it repeatedly then you have presented a workable solution. If you have to resort to body shifts, evasive footwork and other defensive moves then these are the ones to teach instead, or at the very least you should teach that the Pak Sao needs these levels of extra protection as it’s unreliable alone.

    Reality is a great leveller. There’s no need for discussion or non-contextual, reworded Zen quotes, just the courage to get on the mat and prove any claims.

    I look forward to the next videos against strikes as I’m sure you will rise to my friendly challenge.

    Cheers and best wishes,

    Rodin

    Reply
    • AVATAR OF SIFU PHU NGOSifu Phu Ngo says

      September 30, 2020 at 4:23 pm

      Hi rodin, this is sifu Phu. I totally agree to make sure techniques should work under real pressure and stress. What you need to realize is that it does work. We have used it against Golden glove boxers and have been very effective against them. What is hard to see on video is the pressure applied on point unless you have experienced it. While is seems soft cause we demonstrated it slowly. At full speed, we are not trying to deflect it or ward it off. It becomes a strike which not causes pain and/or injury. We don’t believe in defensive hands but offensive or counter offensive. Defensive means you are trying to get rid of pressure. We believe in striking rather defending. We also aren’t trying to move the hands away but to strike it and it goes away. It takes too much time and energy chasing hands but if we strike it, then the force causes it to do so as we focus on striking a single point rather than spread impact and following through in the motion. Too time consuming and energy inefficient to parry or deflect. Hope this helps explain things better to how we do things.

      Reply
  6. AVATAR OF RODINRodin says

    October 3, 2020 at 5:45 pm

    Hi Phu,

    I hope you are well.

    Thanks for replying. You’ll notice that I didn’t say anything about how you use this, only that the video shows a very unrealistic application. With your opponent in the video you could’ve been eating a sandwich and you’d have been safe from his strike.

    I think it’d be really cool if you did the video showing drills that accurately reflect what you’ve just told me you can do. I’m certainly not criticising your skill level- in fact this poor video does that- and you deserve a much better showcasing of your abilities.

    I’ve seen other videos of yours and you obviously have talent. I’m just suggesting you make sure that whatever drill you show, that it’s done against a realistic attack.

    Have a great weekend.

    Best wishes,

    Rodin

    Reply
    • AVATAR OF SIFU PHU NGOSifu Phu Ngo says

      October 3, 2020 at 6:18 pm

      Hey rodin, appreciate the advice. We’ll make sure in future videos to do that.

      Reply
  7. AVATAR OF AJAY SHAHAjay Shah says

    August 10, 2021 at 2:10 pm

    Am I correct, Mr. W.C. Fatty, was posing The, Pak Sao as a wedging technique? I believe he his Head of the World Wing Chun Institute or something.
    I’d look it up but my computer is slow and unresponsive.

    Reply
    • AVATAR OF SIFU PHU NGOSifu Phu Ngo says

      August 27, 2021 at 4:33 pm

      Hey Ajay Shah, I have no idea who he is? Are you referring him as Master Wong? That might be his version of pak, but not ours. The wedging technique would work on another wing chun practitioner, never a boxer.

      Reply

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