Dai Bong Sau 低膀手 – Martial Arts City

Dai Bong Sau 低膀手 – for blocking low straight punches from a low origin

Dai Bong Sau 低膀手 (low wing arm) is the main way to block a low straight punch, coming from a low origin (for example, when the opponent is in a low stance) towards a low target such as your solar plexus or lower.

This is the lower down version of a regular Bong Sau 膀手 (wing arm) – it’s the ideal way to block a straight or near-straight punch (else use Gang Da), from a low origin (else use Jam Sau), by coming from the outside gate sweeping inwards. It pairs nicely with Gang Da 耕手 (for defending against low hooks to the kidneys or floating ribs) and Jam Sau 枕手 (sinking arm, to defend against straight punches from a normal high-shoulder origin) to give you all the options in defending against low-target punches.

Bruce Lee's Dai Bong Sau vs Dan Inosanto — Bruce Lee demonstrating Dai Bong Sau 低膀手 against Dan Inosanto’s straight punch. Bruce’s rear hand is doing a Wu Sau 護手 (guard hand), and he’s ready to do a Lap Da 擸打 (grab & strike).

Bruce Lee doing Dai Bong Sau on a Wooden Dummy — Bruce Lee demonstrating Kwan Sau 捆手 (knotted hands) on a wooden dummy. This is a two handed technique, where the lower arm is doing a Dai Bong Sau 低膀手 (low wing arm) and the upper arm is doing a Tan Sau 攤手 (palm-up spread-open hand).