IMPORTANT NOTE

The number one reason why people get frustrated with martial arts is that they get too competitive. GUN SAU is based on the skills of balance, sensitivity and flow. If you get competitive before you have mastered these skills you will tense up and try to muscle the other player which turns the drill into a wrestling match or you will try to beat their time by moving faster thatn they are.

The best way to develop balance, sensitivity and flow is to work SLOWLY and forget about real competition until you get good. If you already have serious MA training in WingChun, Ki Chuan Do, Tai Chi, escrima or whatever then you will be able to pick up Gun Sau faster because it is similar to flow drills from these styles such as Chi Sau, hubud-lubud, etc. If you do NOT have long-term MA training then take it real slow and easy, play it like a game or a dance until you start getting good. It's supposed to be fun!!
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STATIC GUN SAU

In this drill you take a solid wide stance and cross forearms but you can't move your feet. You can shift your balance between your feet by straightening and bending your knees. Use this drill first to practice shifting your weight (which is where the power comes from) and to work on basic arm skills.

ONE-STEP GUN SAU

Now you can take one step in any direction during the drill but then you have to wait ten seconds befoere taking another step

TWO-STEP GUN SAU

Like the ONE STEP drill but now you can take two stpes

PIVOT/STEP GUN SAU

Another versuion of the ONE STEP drill but this time you both have to keep one foot (right or left) on the floor. You can pivot on that foot but you can't step with it. The other foot can step around as much as you want.

ONE HAND GUN SAU

You can do this using the STATIC, ONE-STEP or TWO-STPE and PIVOT/STEP drills. In this drill you can only use your gun arm for parries, traps, etc.

SLOW MOTION GUN SAU

You can do this from all the drills. In fact you should definitely start out in slow motion anyway. If you move too fast too soon or get too competitive you will not develop good technique.

KILL ME! GUN SAU

Tghis might sound weird but it works real well. 99% of people get too competitive and then wonder why they are not developing good skills. It is becayuse they are trying to run before they can walk. Use the KILL ME! drill wheneveer you are going too fast, pushing too hard or not having fun any more. In this drill you can say Kill Me! at any time and purposely leave yoursel;f open to get shot. It is the best way to stay loose and you will develop more skill that way. Trust me!!

BLINDFOLD GUN SAU

Use a blindfold to focus on sensitivity and positioning skills.

DISARM/RETENTION GUN SAU

In this drill you are not trying to shoot the other player, you are trying to take their gun away while stopping them from disarming you. You can also do variations like one player is unarmed and the other one is armed.

FREESTYLE GUN SAU

This is tyhe most advanced drill. Just move freely using all your skills to shoot, trap, disarm, etc.