San Shou
Although most masters within the tsai li fo san shou community deny the existance of any basic techniques, the truth is, you must have a base for anything to exist. Jimmy taught that this system focuses on, and is maded up of, ten basic offensive and defensive hand techniques which, when combined with their variations (slight changes in the hand formation or angle of attack), result in over 100 different combinations (including seizing and open hands), hence the name 1-100.
From these variations come the 3,180,000 different fighting techniques of this system. The more of these combinations (1-100) a stylists can rearrange and put into other perfect combinations, the higher a fighter will evolve (develop and progress) himself and the art.
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Defensive Hands
The defensive hands of this system are based on blocking, slapping and parrying techniques.
TEN SEEDS
1. Chin (seizing, grasping, or controlling hand). An open hand technique used in clawing and grabbing.
2. Na Sao (to lock).
3. Bin or Dot Chui (whipping fist). A backhand strike executed in four primary ways.
4. Sow Chui (sweeping fist).
5. Pow Jung Chui (destroying fist); A half fist upper cut strike motion.
6. Cup Chui (Stamping Fist). An roundhouse overhead punch.
7. Pek Chui: A Hammer Blow.
8. Fun Jong Chui (crashing fist): A boxers upper cut motion.
9. Bee Jong (tiger cub or darting fist): A short range forearm strike.
10. Chap Chui (shooting fist). A straight punch.
Variations And Usage Of The Ten Seeds
The variations between these techniques are many and must be understood properly. In addition, tsai li fo san soo has specialized categories within each of the ten techniques. Knowning the correct key and combination for each category is of the utmost importance. Also, the proper keys for distance, body kinetic's, body reactions and circular and angular movements must be understood or the techniques will fail.
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BASE HAND TECHNIQUES
1. Cham Kiu (Sinking Hands)
2. Chuen Kiu/Na (Penetrating Block/Grasp), or Anchor Hand
3. Chung Jeung(Pushing/Thrusting Palm)
4. Ding Gerk (Nail Kick)
5. Ding Yuet (Press up the Moon)
6. Don Lon (Level Chop)
7. Fu Jow (Tiger Claw)
8. Gum Jin (Golden Scissors)
9. Jiang (Elbow)
10. Jit Fu Chui (blocking tiger fist), or "intercepting fist"
11. Kwa Chui (Rolling Backfist)
12. Pak sao (A sideways parry)
13. Poon Kiu (Circular Block ("kiu" translate as "bridge hand" referring to gauging distance and, or making body contact with the opponent))
14. Quan Kiu (Whipping Block)
15. Sun Sau (Piercing Hands)
16. Jin Ji (Pointing Fingers)
17. Yeung Kiu (Mirror Hands)
18. Haut Kiu (scrapping bridge)
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STANCE
The Chinese translation for Horse is "ma" or "mah"and is used to mean stance, or squat. The word "Bo" means "to step" and is usually used in footwork terms such as "hoy bo" (empty stance), or "tui bo (step back) and etc. In addition, horse stance training is more flowing and graceful, while "bo" footwork is more of a nailed down way of moving, such as seen in the "step forward and strike" sequence. Also, the horse stance resembles the riding of a horse, thus the name, full horse (mah) stance. However, it is the only stance that resembles horse riding in anyway.
The fist system also is interconnected in the same manner. That is, they all are of the "chui" family (kwa chui, bin chui and etc). This is because, the monks tried to keep everything in the art as simple as possible.
The following 9 stances have many basic variation and are only meant as a base. The most widely used method in teaching these stances is the "three box pattern set". This technique moves in a unending sequence from left to right, the right to left. It is mainly employed to teach the student how to use and execute the running horse patterns.
* Full Horse - Sei or Su ping ma (also known as ma bo).
* Half Horse - Ding ji ma (known as bow and arrow stance and hill climbing horse).
* Reverse Horse - Known as El ma, Sieh ma and Deel ma (low horse (Defence stance).
* Kick (toe) Stance - Di-u-ma (cat stance).
* Sliding Horse.
* Cross Horse - Nau Ma/Tau Ma (Twist Stance). Also known as unicorn stance.
* Turning Horse - Ji ng ma. Also known as "Gripping Stance".
* Half Kneeling Horse - Bing quei ma or Lok Quei ma. To drop on knee have way down.
* Sweeping Horse - Sow Geuk.
All stances are taught in conjunction with "Hei Shun Tan Tien" the Lowering the Center of Gravity, and "the five vocal sounds" in order to teach proper balance, power and coordination. In addition, proper use of the five sounds also create internal pressure against the organs massaging and strengthing them.
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BASIC FORM AND MOTION FUNDAMENTALS:
1. Always keep in mind; slowness, lightness, clarity, balance and calm.
2. Fix your attention on what your doing at the moment, how your doing it; concentration.
3. Move with a spring like tension and expansion in to every move.
4. All momvents are base on the natural way the body moves.
5. Everything must move and flow in harmony. Feet, knees, thighs waist, hands and head.
6. Always approach your movments from the stand point of the mind as well as body. Mind controls body, body does not control the mind.
7. The upper part of your body (torso and head must always be lifted upward. This makes the upper body light, and the lower part heavy. This is how proper balance and body motion is achived. Otherwise you will be top heavy and constantly off balance.
8. There is always one part of your body in motion all the time, but never the same part. Each should flow evenly and smoothly as one unit. If even one part is out of harmony your movements will be come clumsy. See; #5.
9. Every movement in the form or in fighting has its counterpart; right has left, up has down, high has low and etc. One with out the other creates discord.
10. Balance your movements with soft and hard. If your use only hard power, you will become stiff and lose the true meaning and spirit the technique. If you practice the soft only, you will lost the power, structure, and fighting attitude and of the form.
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SEVEN STARS
This system is made up of two (2) main area; The Seven Main Natural Body Weapons, and The Seven Points Of The Body.
Seven Body Weapons
Head
Shoulders
Elbows
Hands
Hips
Knees
Feet.
Seven Points Of The Body
Consisting of the same 7 points, they must be controlled and made to move as one unit. When this is done, the entire body moves as one flowing unit, in harmony with power and balance. All jerky and stiff movements will have been eliminated.