Fan Sau 返手 patterns

In teaching Fan Sau 返手 patterns I focus on those that seem most balanced to me, and by pure coincidence, they generally follow the Dynamic Five Elements (Ng Hang / Wǔ Xíng 五行) Cycle of Creation & Nourishment.

Hard style Fan Sau

I teach a pattern that begins with defending from a Boxing style Jab & Cross and builds up to the Seung Lap Sau (double-handed arm drag) and knockout punch from Ip Man’s third form.

These are not random combinations by any means. These moves flow so naturally, and yet there is a clear progressive order to them. The aggressor begins on the front foot, and with each step in the sequence, more control is gained by the defender – it gets gradually harder for the initial aggressor to defend & counter until they themselves are fully on the back foot, then knocked down. The pattern goes like this:

A: Stiff Jab [Wood]
  B: Gam Da [Metal]
A: Cross (not the most natural move here, considering already smothered, so this Cross acts more like a Horse Punch [Wood] or Drilling Fist [Water])
  B: Bong Lap Fak [Earth to Metal]
A: Wu (balanced move, comfortable position)
  B: Lap Da (outside gate) [Water]
A: Jak Jeung (inside gate)
  B: Lap Da (inside gate) [Wood]
A: Wu (desperation move, less comfortable)
  B: Seung Lap Sau & KO [Fire]

Soft style Fan Sau

This Fan Sau pattern is eternally cyclical, based on the Dynamic Five Elements theory of ideal continuation & countering (Wu Xing), applied to classic Tai Chi & Wing Chun techniques, using symmetrical techniques from a squared-up neutral stance. Unlike the last pattern which more loosely aligns with Wu Xing theory and builds up to a climax, this one is eternally cyclical thus indefinitely continuous. It goes like this:

A: Seung Jong/Bong (earth)
  B: Seung Gam/Jam (wood, which pierces earth)
A: Seung Tan/Biu (metal, which splits wood)
  B: Seung Jut Da (fire, which melts metal)
A: Seung Tok (water, which puts out fire)
  B: Seung Jong/Bong (earth, which soaks up water)
And the cycle continues, with roles reversed!