The Importance of Sensitivity

The ability to respond immediately and effectively to an attack is key to defending one's self in a combative situation. In any moment of time during a fight, the opponent will have some sort of action whether it is a slight movement, a pronounced movement, or no movement at all. This action may serve as a stimulus for a response and can be monitored by the sense of touch. In the martial art of Wing Chun, sensitivity is the term that describes the ability to be aware of what is happening through the sense of touch. The goal of developing sensitivity is to get an instant and accurate assessment of what is happening in a fight so that an immediate and proper response can be performed. There are many things during a fight that a combatant needs to be aware of that can be recognized through sensitivity. Sensitivity gives awareness of the ever-changing positions between a fighter and his or her opponent. A fighter needs to know when the opponent is in a strong dominating position, a weak vulnerable position, or both. A fighter also needs to know his or her own strong and weak positions in relation to the opponent. This knowledge is gathered from the sense of touch and processed through the subconscious so that the correct response is put into motion at the right time. When discussing the importance of sensitivity in a fight, the question of what to do when there is no physical contact to sense arises. This usually occurs at the beginning of the fight when the combatants are at a longer range and a physical attack has not yet been made. At this point, the sense of sight is the primary tool to recognize the stimulus that will evoke a response. In Wing Chun, the concept of mok lik is used to describe eye power.
In mok lik, the fighter stares straight into the opponent's eyes to look for any intent; but at the same time the fighter is using peripheral vision to be aware of anything in front or around that can serve as a stimulus for a response. As soon as the intent or a slight movement (such as a heavy breath or lowering of the shoulder) is recognized, an immediate response should follow. For many Wing Chun practitioners, the mahn sao is usually the initial response when there is no physical contact. Mahn sao is the inquisitive hand that is put forth as a probe to intercept the opponent. The information gathered from the mahn sao through the sense of touch will let the fighter know what to do next. If mahn sao is thrown out and there is nothing to impede its path, it should continue and become a strike to the eyes or throat.

If the mahn sao intercepts limbs with weak energy, it may turn into a fuk sao (controlling arm) or mut sao (lowering hand) crushing the defense towards the centerline, and then maybe a finishing move to the eyes or throat. If the mahn sao intercepts limbs with strong energy, the fighter may have to shift and change the angle of attack while redirecting the opponent's energy or pull (lop sao) in the direction where the opponent's momentum is going. In all these cases, assessment of the situation through sensitivity from the mahn sao allows a proper response to come after.

Sensitivity is not used only from the initial contact; it is used whenever the sense of touch is in play. When there is no contact, the gauging for stimuli is done by the eyes. Once contact is made and when the range is still long, both sensitivity and the eyes can gauge for stimuli. But in really close ranges (short bridge), the eyes cannot see much. Sensitivity plays a much more important role at this range where it is the primary way to recognize what your opponent is doing.

Sensitivity does not come naturally to most people and it must be cultivated. In Wing Chun, the chi sao exercises develop one's sensitivity. Such exercises include doan chi sao (single hand), seong chi sao (single hand), and chi gurk (legs). The concept of gum got lik describes the sensitive energy needed to be effective in responding to a stimulus. In order to be sensitive, one must remain relaxed so that he or she can feel the opponent's overall position and intent. The practitioner must also be in a proper position have an effective response to a stimulus felt from the opponent. Cultivating sensitivity is one of the major keys in becoming an effective fighter.