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Kwan Sau

捆手

Literally: rolling hand

Wing Chun rolling hands: the forearms circle in a vertical loop, covering both the upper and lower gate as the body turns.

Quick Facts

Martial Arts
CategoryBlocks (Uke-waza)
DifficultyIntermediate

Katas containing this technique

Mok Yan Jong

About

Kwan Sau (捆手), in English rolling hand, is a Wing Chun covering technique in which the forearms cover the upper and lower gate at the same time. The arms cycle in a vertical circle while the body turns. According to one Wing Chun glossary, its essence is the smooth flow of energy between the hands, not holding a static position. Sources disagree on what the technique consists of. English Wikipedia describes it as a combination of high Wu Sau and low Bong Sau, while the mentioned glossary describes it as the usual combination of Tan Sau and Bong Sau. It serves to cover the upper and lower gate simultaneously and to transition smoothly between sides. The same glossary links it to the Po Pai Jeung strike in the wooden dummy exercise (Muk Yan Jong). According to the same source, Kwan Sau is related in structure and use to the Silver Scissor hands technique of the White Crane style, which suggests a possible influence between the styles.

Further sources on this topic (2)
  1. Glossary of Wing Chun terms – Wikipedia
  2. Wing Chun Glossary – eWingChun