(Olvasd magyar nyelven: Repülőujjak kéz (Biu Tze sau, Biu sau))
In a previous post titled „Secret and Deadly Techniques”, I discussed that such techniques do not exist, but the label „deadly” can be applied to almost any technique! The outcome of their application provides the answer to this.
The problem with secret techniques is that, due to their secrecy, if they are not practiced, they either fade into oblivion or, if a group of „initiates” knows about them, sooner or later these techniques will be exposed and will no longer be secret. If we consider that a martial artist’s expression is always sincere, eventually the move that was meant to be hidden will be used, because one cannot fight while constantly analyzing the techniques they apply, and leaving out the ones labeled as secret…
In this post, I will focus on a specific type of technique, namely finger thrusts.
We could even call these „secret” techniques, as they are rarely seen in practice, and it is indeed conceivable that only insiders know about them.
They most often appear in martial arts demonstrations, in a „this is also a technique” kind of manner.
It is true that in Wing Chun demonstrations, you occasionally see interpretations of Siu Nim Tau (SNT), Chum Kiu (CK), or Biu Tze (BT), emphasizing that these are dangerous techniques (and indeed, they are!), and only the masters learn and practice them.
But it is also true that if someone uses their fingers to attack, this striking surface must be reinforced. However, we never hear about such reinforcement, nor do we see examples of it in Wing Chun circles. In martial arts styles that use thrusts, they also train these techniques. If they didn’t, they would experience unpleasant surprises. Surely many have experienced the discomfort or even injury from accidentally thrusting their finger into a hard surface. It didn’t require much force, but it was still noticeable that the finger hurt.
What would happen if such thrusts were performed with more force? We can keep our fingers aligned properly, according to the attack, but for anyone who doesn’t train this, it will hurt if, say, the thrust hits the forehead. Not to mention that the joint could even dislocate.
I should mention that in the CK form, there is a thrust that can still be executed even without reinforcing the striking surface. I’m referring to the thumb thrust aimed at the eye.
Some exercises for strengthening the fingers:
In the SNT form, Biu Tze Sau appears in the second third: Double Pressing Hand (Jut Sau) → Flying Finger Hands (Biu Tze Sau). Summing up the points mentioned above, however, it’s possible that this move is not a thrust but rather an attack with the forearm! In this case, the SNT also includes the Cutting Hand (Fak Sau), which has two variations. In one case, the forearm (Cutting Hand) is drawn by the elbow and cuts horizontally to the side. In the other case, the forearm is pushed by the elbow, coming forward at an angle from the Pressing Hand, aiming at the opponent’s throat. In AKR, this movement is also referred to as a „Chopping-Cutting Hand.”
In this form, this interpretation is much more commonly observed both in demonstrations and in practice.
My reasoning is an opinion, as I leave room for the possibility that the discussed move is indeed a thrust. And why couldn’t it be interpreted that way? I should also note that finger attacks can certainly be executed in certain cases, but not as thrusts, rather more like a „dirty” trick, poking into the opponent’s eye and thereby disabling their sight.
However, AKR does not apply this, first of all, due to the reasons outlined above, because fingers can be injured. Secondly, because the thrust itself is not considered a humane method. The primary goal is to protect ourselves, but perhaps it is too high a price to pay to ruin someone’s vision when there are other ways to stop their aggression. Still, if there is no other solution…
A note about other „thrusts” found in other forms, which are also interpreted as forearm attacks in AKR. The palm’s position, its plane, and the entire movement path of the technique always indicate the type and manner of the forearm attack.
Sources of the images:
1.kerulet.ittlakunk.hu
kwokwingchun.com
londonwingchun.co.uk
martialclub.net
wingchun.co.za
wingchunlexicon.com
