Open Palm Kung Fu Techniques

Open palm strikes are employed in many different styles of Kung Fu. Shaolin Kung Fu was based on the fighting methods of animals. As a result, some open palm Kung Fu strikes are meant to be imitative of the way that wild animals fight.

  1. The Palm Strike

    • The palm strike is the hand strike most commonly employed in Wing Chun Kung Fu. Although there are many variations on the palm strike, it is essentially carried out by driving the heel your palm into your opponents face with the velocity of a punch. Palm strikes are best delivered to the chin, nose and eye; they also can be effective when delivered to the solar plexus.

    The Knife-Hand Strike

    • Although a knife-hand strike is delivered with an open palm, one actually strikes with the blade of one's hand. Knife-hand strikes can be delivered in many different ways; however, they are most effective when delivered from an angle. The throat, the wrist and the side of the head are good targets for knife-hand strikes.

    Tiger Claw Strike

    • The tiger claw is the signature weapon employed by Tiger Style Kung Fu. A tiger claw strike is delivered in a rapid, indirect, circular motion, like a swipe from a big cat. Tiger claw strikes lead with the heal of the hand followed up by a raking or clawing from the fingers. Tiger claw strikes rely on a combination of blunt force power and clawing, tearing and gouging. If delivered effectively they can be truly devastating.