Don't know specifically the CLF way. Bobble probably knows better. CLF has some things that make it different from other Southern Styles. But, generally speaking, in Southern styles, the three gates are the Head, Torso, Hips/Legs.
As Mei said.
| “ | Upper Gate=Head/Neck/Shoulders
Middle Gate=Torso/Chest
Lower Gate=Waist/Legs/Feet | ” |
|
| “ | When you've opened the Gate, you have your opponent wide open, their arms are not protecting themself on their center line and you can just go in.
When you've closed the Gate, you've locked up their arms on their center line/other so that they can not offer much in resistance as they are entangled. | ” |
|
This is also my understanding of the Gate theory.
It will vary from system to system. It's really just the
concept of categorising striking areas, and the idea of opening and closing your opponent's defenses to facilitate striking those areas.
The concept of Opening and Closing gates also applies to the fact that when one gate is closed, you have a chance to exploit where another gate may be open. If you can get him to close the middle gate, then you may have an opening in the higher gate. A bit simplified, but you get the point.
Closing the Lower Gate can often refer to the slightly turned in front foot/knee found in many Kung Fu systems. For protecting frontal access to the groin, among other things.
