Koong-Sao

In the club are passed training duels (koong-sao). In koong-sao participate only terms of federation. To participate in combat can only student having 2 degree.

Rules koong-sao:

1. time is unconfined by
2.It is forbidden to beat into the throat and the spine, eyes
3. Everything else is permitted by
4. Victory in the case:
  a) enemy was returned by
  b) knock-out.

Koong-sao it is not the purpose of the students of the Wing Tsun.

We see 3 development stages of the students of the Wing Tsun:

1. self-defence
2.Skill to conduct battle (koong-sao)
3. Skill ( Art )

Chinese word “Koong-Sao“(Cantonese dialect) means free hands or free fight. The idea of this expression is as follows: If a student practices martial art, in the beginning he works the methods out alone, “into the air“. These may be separate exercises as well as combinations of formal exercises (TAU, TAO).

After mastering the individual movement forms, these are further practiced with a partner. In every style of WU-SHU, there are its own sets of partner-exercises which are called DUILJAN (NUK-SAO, LAT-SAO) in these exercises the partner's movements are all predefined. This allows the students learn correctly to feel the rhythm of the movements, use the right method when required, and to apply strength at the proper moment However, to use these methods in real fight, one should react correctly in any situation that may arise. In this case, Koong-Sao is used, where the students use any of the methods they have learned, without any predefinitions, in that way, sharpening their training and reflexes.

Throughout history the Chinese loved fighting. Notes about SJANBO existed in documents dated back to the V-III century BCE. A comb was found in 1975 during excavations at Mount Fenhuanshan predating the Qin Dynasty (221 -206BCE) that had a colored picture upon its curved back. This picture depicted humans skirmishing on a platform Analogous images can be found on many frescoes from the times of Han dynasty period (206BCE – 220 AD.)

Many references to skirmish SHOUBO can be found in the writings VI-X centuries. Both simple fist impacts as well as wrestling methods can be observed in skirmishes. Competitions were held on a rectangular platform (which became characteristic of public fights in China from then on); there was no separation by weights and there was no safety equipment. Any fight methods were allowed and the winner received a valuable prize.

The free fights were used for physical training in the army during the Song Dynasty (940 -1279) and in the capital office of the state defense for which special fighting platforms were constructed. This platform and the fights upon it were named LEITAI. Fighters from all corners of the country arrived there to challenge one another. The rules forbade “insufficient seizure”, “pulling opponents shorts down”. Throws and hits were allowed, including kicks. The winners received prizes such as banners, silver cups, brocade robes, tracts of land, etc.

The Ming Dynasty is known as the “golden age of WU-SHU” and the free fights of the time became famous.” The fight platform was flanked on two sides with pillars upon which hung inscriptions like “Fist impact of the violent tiger from the Southern mountains” or “The kick of the dragon from the Northern Seas”. To avoid any later argumentations, before the fight the participants signed affidavits concerning life and death, without which noone was allowed onto the fighting platform.

In the years of Manchu dynasty (Qing) (1644 -1911), free fights we widespread within nation. Free fights were widespread during the Qing Dynasty (Manchu) (1644 -1911). For example, during village holidays; organizers could quickly build a fight platform in an open space and provided opponents for anyone interested in making a challenge.” Nothing was required for fighting; the only thing that was needed was a loud announcement from the fighter about himself and where he came from. These competitions were not sports and the death of a fighter was common, therefore only the ones who were absolutely sure in his skills dared to step onto the fighting platform. Revolution came to China in 1911 ending the Qing Dynasty and forming the Republic of China and, as is the case after any revolution, the changes began. Chinese marital arts were labeled GOSHU (National Art). The Central institute of GOSHU was established in 1928 in Nanking (which in those times was the capital of China) with support of rich sponsors (including government members).

Duels were organized for all fighters of China. Specially selected men traveled throughout the provinces to invite famous masters for duels that were organized in Nanking that same year. These duels were organized to attract qualified instructors and motivate the students. The duels lasted for ten days and were called GOSHU GOKAO. Fights were held in right-angled square, any fight methods were allowed except hits in the head, groin, eyes, and throat. In 1929 the “general meeting of unformed GOSHU” was held at the provincial institute of GOSHU in Chenczja to see the real look of martial art. That meeting was attended by 545 persons, representing twelve provinces and four large towns. Only 125 of those participated in fight duels. A recommendation was required to participate. The fighting platform was 1.3 meters high, 20 meters long and 18.6 meters wide. Fighting rules often required several corrections during the competition. Two competitions were held in 1933. It was clear that deadly fights could not be organized; however, any fighting rules degraded the realistic appearance of that fight. Therefore, organizers decided to forbid hits at vulnerable locations, anything else was allowed even grabbing the hair. Newspapers of back then stated: “GOSHU competitions achieved that of a cock fight”.

The Chinese general sports meeting also took place in 1933. The duels were organized with protective equipment and with the restriction of no hits to the head and groin, though a time control was still absent. These rules resulted in fights that were more like wrestling and could last over two hours. Headlines stated “Fights look like bullfights now” It became apparent to everyone that the development of martial arts with a rules system like that of the West was not the way to go. The rules to protect the participants degraded the real feel of the fight. The fight methods effective in a real fight were of no use in winning a fight with rules. After establishment of the Communist regime in China, state authority worked hard to make people to forget that WU-SHU is a martial art. However, WU-SHU as gymnastics, based on formal combinations, received states support. SANDA's fighting methods were taught only by old masters and they were running risks of falling under the state’s pressure. A new competition form for WUSHU’s SANSHOU duels was developed in 1979 by the sports committee, KNR. These competitions were named SANDA or LEITAI in order to make it seem like a rebirth of old traditional WU-SHU and to advertise them.

The old masters got indignant at all this: they remembered it very well, to where the duels with fight rules led in the 1930’s. However, now that several generations have already gone by, there are many who have never seen the real SANDA and they do not see the difference between the official versions from the genuine article. As a result the majority of countries in the world understand SANDA, SANSHOU and LEITAI exactly as “Chinese kick-boxing with throws” instead of an absolutely free fight as it has always been in traditional WU-SHU. The goals pursued by traditional WU-SHU and sport WU-SHU have become completely different.

S. Bereznjuk