I don't like to type too much but I yanked this from a couple other sites to give some idea of the intent of sticky hands...
Single and double sticky-hands (chi-sao). These drills help the student develop sensitivity and timing through feeling an opponent’s commitment. ... students (need) to be conscious of whether or not they feel commitment (or energy) on their wrist or elbow. If an opponent grabs the wrist, the student brings up the elbow into a bong sao (Wing Block). Conversely, energy applied to the elbow should cause the student to immediately drop the elbow into a tan sao (Upper Side Block). The main concept to remember is to "be like water," as Bruce Lee often told his students, and flow with the energy.
CHI - SAU training is accomplished by two students joining their forearms (the BRIDGE) and "rolling" through a preset series of movements.
The preset movements are only the starting point to come back to after there is action ie. an attack, counter attack, etc. While rolling through this cycle the students are "feeling" the other students level of commitment (force) in order that they can properly react to any weakness in the others defense or an attack from the other. After time, the reactions become "AUTOMATIC" and the techniques learned , apply and adjust themselves as the heightened sensitivity dictates. Simply put, the hands auto-automatically find the holes, thus, the reaction literally becomes an "AUTO-PILOT". (At this stage the trapping and sticking part should be freestyle)
Two other fundamentals are married to this "AUTO-PILOT" to make Wing Chun effective. They are, the center line theory and the technique of simultaneous block and attack (Lin Sil Die Dar). The center line theory dictates that no two objects can occupy the center without colliding with each-other. Therefore, all Wing Chun techniques are initiated from, and occupy, the center thus colliding with "incoming traffic". The result is excellent defense, but more importantly "the turning on of the AUTO-PILOT SYSTEM". During CHI-SAU training, if a hole is found and control of the "center line" is gained, it is next to impossible for the opponent to regain control as the center is now being filled with a barrage of punches and traps. It is like a WAR. Once ground is gained, the Wing Chun practitioner never gives it back! Simultaneous block and attack speaks for itself. Why have an idle hand? To block with one hand while striking with the other follows the basic Wing Chun principles of Simplicity, Efficiency and Practicality...
Throw in some low line attacks with your sticky
feet and gravity will become your new best friend!
