Baat Doon Kui Sau: The Destruction Drill That Teaches You to Shut Down an Opponent

Breaking down one of Chow Gar's most important sensitivity training methods

In Chow Gar Southern Praying Mantis Kung Fu, one of the most important skills you can develop is the ability to shut down your opponent’s attack before it begins. That’s where the legendary drill Baat Doon Kui Sau comes in.

This isn’t just a fancy name — it’s a step-by-step sensitivity training method that teaches you how to:

• Read your opponent’s movements through touch

• Respond instantly to pressure

• Block, trap, redirect, and attack — all at the same time

Let’s break it down.

What Is “Baat Doon Kui Sau”?

The name translates roughly to “Eight Destruction Bridge Hands.” It's a two-person sensitivity drill used to train timing, feeling, and flow under pressure.

But more than that, it's a tool to develop reflexive fighting ability — the kind that works when things get chaotic.

This drill engages your:

• Arms (for striking, blocking, and trapping)

• Legs (for positioning and stepping)

• Core (for balance and body control)

• Mind (for reading intent and reacting fast)

Why It’s So Effective

Baat Doon Kui Sau is one of the core ways to learn how to break down an opponent’s defense and create openings.

Unlike solo forms or static techniques, this drill is alive. You train with a partner. You feel resistance. You learn to react, adjust, and counter — all through controlled contact.

It’s not about memorizing moves. It’s about:

• Developing touch-based awareness

• Sharpening instinctive reactions

• Building explosive short-range power

And because the drill is done with both sides and both partners, it teaches adaptability. You learn what to do when you're attacking — and what to do when you're under pressure.

How the Drill Works (In Simple Steps)

Here’s a basic version of what happens in a Baat Doon Kui Sau drill:

1. Partner A strikes (often to the head or chest)

2. Partner B blocks with one hand and counters with the other

3. Partner A now responds by redirecting, trapping, or attacking again

4. Each side takes turns flowing through blocks, parries, traps, and counter-attacks

5. The sequence repeats, switching roles and sides

You’ll use:

• Open-hand blocks (like “up sau” or “pak sau”)

• Hammer fists

• Sweeps and elbow control

• Wrist and forearm redirection

• Sinking and rooting drills for body structure

Every motion trains timing, awareness, and fluid contact. Even though it’s done slowly at first, the speed and pressure can increase as you become more skilled.

The Goal Isn’t Perfection — It’s Pressure

This drill isn’t about being perfect. It’s about building the feeling to handle a real encounter.

That means:

• Sensing when your partner shifts weight

• Feeling tension in their bridge arm

• Knowing when to go forward or step back

• Reacting without needing to think

Once you’ve trained this enough, you’ll start to notice that your body just moves. Your blocks become faster. Your counters become sharper. You don’t freeze under pressure — you respond.

Once You Master the Basics…

After learning the eight basic movements, you can start adding more advanced layers:

• Locks

• Sweeps

• Throws

• Ground transitions

• Two-limb and full-body engagement

At this level, Baat Doon Kui Sau is no longer just a drill — it becomes a complete fighting method.

You’re not just blocking and striking anymore. You’re controlling, shutting down, and dominating the space between you and your opponent.

Final Thoughts

Baat Doon Kui Sau is one of the most powerful tools in the Chow Gar system. It teaches you not only how to react — but how to take control.

If you’re serious about your Kung Fu, this drill will:
✅ Improve your close-range awareness
✅ Sharpen your bridge-arm contact
✅ Develop explosive, reflex-based movement
✅ Give you confidence when facing pressure

It may start with just eight basic drills — but it grows with you, unlocking the full potential of your sensitivity and power.