Martial Arts Pictures

...And some videos, plus a lot of great free tips and closeups of various techniques and movements. Our first free giveaways appear right below this text, showing you some of the most important and fundamental fist configurations in Traditionial Chinese Martial Arts. There are also a couple of Bonus videos showing some Ying Jow Pai (Eagle Claw) techniques.

Martial Arts Pictures And Descriptions Of Some Common Chuan (Or Fists) Used In Chinese Kung Fu.....

Crane Beak	Dragon Fist	Palm Strike
Hanging Claw	(Side View) Hanging Claw	Mantis Claw
Sun Fist	(Side View) Sun Fist	Eagle Beak

Check Out Some Martial Arts Pictures Of Jackie Chan and Jet Li in Forbidden Kingdom!!!
Or better yet, check out the Video Trailer for the movie Here

The Crane Beak - White Crane, also used in general purpose in Northern Shaolin styles

The fingers come together with the wrist bent. Squeeze the fingers together so that the finger tips may strike or peck a surface simultaneously. The Crane Beak can deliver the power of a full strike disbursed over a much smaller surface area. The strike enables much more elegant and precise movement delivered from a beneficial defensive posture with the arms bent protecting the body.

The Dragon Fist - Northern Shaolin

This dragon fist is a horizontal punch. The striking surface is the knuckles of the index and the middle fingers. Begin to form the fist by opening the hand flat, then roll the fingertips inward very tightly, making the fist as tight as structured as possible. When you deliver a punch, it is crucial to have the hand in line with the forearm. In other words, keep the wrist straight. There are many delicate bones in the wrist, and it is quite easy to damage them striking a surface with a malformed fist. The thumb is tucked on the side of the four fingers. The thumb must be equally tight. If the thumb is loose at all, you may catch and tear the thumb. It is not wise to hurt yourself in an attempt to defend yourself.

The Palm Strike - Northern Shaolin

The palm strike is delivered with a flat hand, and the wrist bent. Look at the martial arts pictures above for a reference. This strike is sometimes called a palm heal strike, because you use the heal of the palm as the striking surface. The fingers should be squeezed tightly together. The palm strike can be a very natural movement, striking up to the chin or into the solar plexus.

The Hanging Claw - Eagle Claw

The hanging claw is an eagle claw movement. Grabbing and controlling an opponent can be a much more humane way of handling a violent confrontation. The fingers must be squeezed tightly together, making a shape like the letter 'C' with your thumb and fingers. With proper and dedicated practice, the eagles claw can not only control an oponent, but also can inflict a tremendous amount of pain.

The Mantis Claw - Preying Mantis

The mantis claw is designed to be used only as a hooking type of grab utilizing the area on the underside of the wrist while not commiting to a full grab like the eagle claw does. This allows rapid disengagement of the hook for a quick followup strike with the outside of the wrist.

The Sun Fist - Northern Shaolin

This is simply a vertical punch. The knuckles of your index and middle fingers are the weapon. Begin to form the fist by opening the hand flat, then roll the fingertips inward very tightly, making the fist as tight as structured as possible. When you deliver a punch, it is crucial to have the hand in line with the forearm. In other words, keep the wrist straight!! There are many delicate bones in the wrist, and it is quite easy to damage them striking a surface with a malformed fist. The thumb is tucked on the side of the four fingers. The thumb must be equally tight. If the thumb is loose at all, you may catch and tear the thumb. It is not wise to hurt yourself in an attempt to defend yourself.

The Eagle Beak - Eagle Claw

The eagle beak is formed by squeazing the thumb up against the first knuckle of the index finger., and cupping the other three fingers so that they can catch. The eagle is used for striking targets where extreme precision and powerful penetration is necessary, such as taking the eyeball out of it's socket from the side, or hitting small pressure points with great power. One must be very careful when practising such skills.

Martial Arts Pictures Of Kung Fu Stances

	Pak Toi Stance		Horse Stance