FIVE MOST EFFECTIVE KUNG FU STYLES
Posted on October 17 2017
Also known as the Kung Fu fist styles, the 5 animals of Kung Fu are known all across the Kung Fu world. There are other specific fist styles in Kung Fu, although none of them are as well known as the 5 animal styles. As the name implies, these forms were derived from the animals in which they got their names from.
The Dragon Claw
The Dragon Claw is very well known, with the Chinese believing that this style comes directly from the ancient dragon. This style uses an open hand technique that is used for controlling the opponent through grabbing and throwing. Using an open hand technique, fighters may also use the fingers to poke as well.
The Leopard Claw
The Leopard Claw style utilizes a half-opened fist. The ideal striking method with Leopard is the ridge of the hand, which is formed by folding the fingers towards the palm of the hand, with the palm being the backup or secondary striking method.
The Tiger Claw
Tiger Claw uses an open hand movement that is used for tearing and grabbing. Tiger Claw is the most well-known of the 5-animal system, and also one of the most well-known forms of Kung Fu as well. It isn’t affected by simply grabbing and gripping with the hand, but from the digging of the fingernails deep into the skin.
The Snake Head
Snake Head resembles the attack of a snake in combat, using an open hand technique which requires the fingers to be held together tight, fully extended. The tips of the finger form a very hard surface, used to attack the softest and most vital areas of the opponent. In order to be effective, both hands need to be used together at the same time.
The Crane Beak
Crane involves the fingers being pressed together tightly, forming a striking surface at the base of the fighter’s fingertips. Although the fingers can be conditioned to a high level of strength, most attacks using the Crane technique are focused towards the most vital areas of an opponent.
The 5 animal styles of Kung Fu are very popular in learning the art.