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Chinese Grand Master Jimmy Woo
took the art with him to the US in 1937 and opened his forst school in Los
Angeles' Chinatown in 1962. It is from that point that sansoo became popular
with people in the West.
There are no set patterns in the system and it
is a highly adaptable style.It is based on a sound knowledge of physics -
using principles of leverage, power and speed - and has two main aims: to
disable or criple an opponent within three strikes, and to end the fight in
no more then ten seconds. The basic beginning lessons of
San Soo employ 5–10 movements or strikes, while advanced lessons as few as 3
moves. These techniques are mostly made up of Chin Na leverages, Throwing,
Choking, Joint-locking, Strangling, Da, or strikes, and quick Takedowns.
These are practiced and applied selectively by the practitioner in sparring
sessions (freestyle workouts), in order to build an automatic response in
the mind and body, in much the same way as one picks and chooses what words
are appropriate to use in a free flowing conversation. There are a myriad of
targets on the human body including the eyes, nose, throat, base of the
skull, neck, liver, spleen, kidneys, groin, and knees, many of which are
commonly banned from sports styles. Forms were traditionally 360 moves, but
are broken down into 26 moves a month so the practitioner can assimilate
them easier. |
