Gan Sau
耕手
Literally: ploughing hand
Also known as: Gahn Sau
Wing Chun ploughing hand: a diagonal chopping arm motion outward or inward that covers the side gate.
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Katas containing this technique
About
Gan Sau (耕手), literally ploughing hand, is a Wing Chun covering technique. The written form combines the character gan, to plough, with sau, hand. The arm moves diagonally in a chopping motion and can chop outward or inward; this covers the side gate. Unlike Tan Sau, which rises and spreads pressure, Gan Sau aims its diagonal chop at the side gate, not the central line. According to one source, it is among the basic techniques of the form Siu Lim Tao (Siu Nim Tau). In the wooden dummy exercise (Muk Yan Jong) it is repeated as high and low Gan Sau (High-Low Gan Sau) in several sections and in the separate High-Low Block section; it is practised from multiple directions with simultaneous stepping. Sources also record the spelling Gahn Sau.