Wing Chun techniques

Huen Sao.
If you take a close look at all the techniques used in all Wing Chun forms and also the Wooden dummy techniques, you will find the most repeated technique is Huen Sao (rotating hand)

This leads us to believe that it is an extremely useful and versatile technique.

Yin Huen Sao

As a passive or reactive technique Huen Sao is useful to release non threatening energy.
As an opponent pushes your arm aside Huen can be used to return your arm to its original position, or to attack. This complies with not fighting force against force.

Depending on the energy level Huen can be applied with just the wrist or with wrist and shoulder

You may also use the yin Huen Sao as a way of positioning yourself from the inside guard to the outside.
Only apply this if opponent does not have a forward or threatening energy.

Yang Huen Sao

When applied as a Yang movement Huen Sao can be used as a defense against straight or round punches both in a low or high attack.
It is Yang as it actually moves the opponents arm in a deflective direction, both the wrist and shoulder are normally used although it is possible to apply a very tight Huen Sao with the wrist when an absorbing step is used in conjunction as with the dummy sets.

This example shows Huen Sao against a straight punch. It may have been a high or low attack, the Huen Sao brings it to the same end position.
The initial contact should be close to the wrist in a tight position similar to Fook Sao, the difference with Huen is that as it extends forward it pushes the attack to the outside of your arm. You achieve this by turning your wrist further so that your fingers end up pointing down to the floor.
Footwork also is used normally, either a step or pivot so as the punching side is closer to the opponent.

With a straight punch it's possible to use either of your hands to apply Huen Sao, so parallel or cross arm Huen can be used.
With a round punch attack, only a cross arm is used.
Other applications could be a wrist grab defense or knife defense.

Because Huen Sao and Fook Sao look very similar, they are often confused as the same. It is the end position that is the difference. Fook remains hooked over the opponents arm with contact of your wrist, fingers and forearm. Where as Huen ends with contact of either the back of your hand or the edge of your palm and little finger, depending on your footwork.

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