an sao (san shou, separate hands) involve the practice of wing chun kuen motions, both individually and in combination, where no pre-existing contact exists. The nature of san sao ranges from the repetitive practice of basic motions to simple bridging and countering maneuvers to a freestyle exchange of techniques.

While sooner or later all motions in wing chun kuen must be taken apart and explored through san sao, in the beginning training there are several semi-formal sets that are introduced. Barring arm thrusting punch, cultivating arm hanging punch, and other early san sao drills help give novice practitioners some basic tools they can use while working on developing the sensitivity required for more refined wing chun kuen application.