Chi sao is a training exercise which develops structure, reflexes, balance, positioning and management of your body-mass and the concept of 'sticking' to your opponent.
The concept and value of 'sticking' to the opponent is fundamental to Wing Chun - basically it means not pulling away or losing contact with on opponent once you've got it.
Wing chun doesn't move back and forth trading blows like sport fighting, once the fight has started you try to 'stick' to the opponent, drive forward and attack continuously the last thing you want to do is to give them time to think or recover, especially if they are bigger or stronger than you!
Chi sao is not the same as sparring, it is a training drill intended to develop your sensitivity and reflexes so when you come into contact (bridge) with an opponents arm (or leg in chi gerk) you instinctively react and control your opponent to give yourself the greatest advantage.
Chi Sao is not a competition but an interactive way to help one another develop structure, sensitivity and reflexes. Chi Sao training is intended to help you realise your weaknesses and strengths and build on them. It can also be played as a game which can be a lot of fun and is addictive as hell! (you were warned..)
We start with single sticking hand practice (Dan chi sao), which focuses on developing proper hand techniques for attacking and defending along the centre-line. It also isolates each arm to ensure both are trained equally and counteract the normal arm 'favouritism'.
Double sticking hands (Seung Chi Sao) develops coordination between the arms predominantly for intercepting attacks (bridging), trapping your opponents hands and striking at the same time. Chi sao can also be used to develop grounding and management of your mass to deliver force, basically it becomes a whole body exercise.
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