Crane Kung Fu Techniques

Crane kung fu is inspired by the graceful movements of the crane, a bird that prefers harmony and would much rather walk away from a fight than join in. Fluid and dance-like, Crane kung fu at high levels appears to be almost balletic. Yet all movements in Crane kung fu have underlying purpose. Just as a crane's beak can one moment be used to feed its young, and in the next become a jagged weapon, the Crane kung fu practitioner remains in a similar state of flux: fluid and moving one moment, sharp and lethal the next.

  1. Crane Kung Fu Strategy

    • As the Crane kung fu practitioner skillfully dances away from his opponent's attack he may "accidentally" land a blow in the process. A foot twitches into a short kick, an opponent's striking hand is violently struck away, an unguarded limb is grabbed and twisted violently. Crane kung fu attempts to use very little force of its own creation, preferring to allow the opponent to defeat themselves by taking advantage of any carelessness.

    Crane Kung Fu Hand Techniques

    • There are five basic hand techniques practiced in Crane kung fu. They are wood hand, fire hand, earth hand, metal hand and water hand.

      Wood hand is inspired by the "straight" characteristics of wood, therefore the fingers are thrust straight out, ready to gouge and peck, like a crane's beak.

      Fire hand imitates the manner in which fire "expands" upward. The fire hand is bent back at the wrists with the fingers pointed upward and the palm facing straight at the opponent.

      Earth hand takes its cue from the "receiving" nature of the Earth. Therefore this fist-like hand can take punishment as a block as well as deliver devastating blows.

      Metal hand is "changing" in nature. Just as metal can change forms, metal hand alternates from being a fist-like strike to a more open blocking hand.

      Water hand "flows downward" like water, therefore the fingers are spread out from one another and extended downward, similar to the claws of a bird.

    Crane Kung Fu Fighting Technique

    • Crane kung fu requires strong hips and legs. The ideal practitioner has a light frame of mind as well as a light, graceful body. Crane kung fu requires exceptionally good balance and perhaps a dash of elegance.

      Cranes do not attack. They only counterattack. The Crane kung fu practitioner does this from every angle except the front. Crane kung fu involves constantly side-stepping and evading your opponent's attacks and then launching fast, short, sharp counter-attacks while they are still committed and vulnerable.

      Crane kung fu is an enlightened fighting method in that it doesn't teach devastating blows, but rather an unrelenting series of annoying counter-strikes designed to wear down and ward off would-be attackers.

      Crane kung fu employs short, fast low kicks often to the shin or knee.

      Quick grabs that pull, pinch and twist at loose flesh are a favorite weapon, as are forming the fingers into a hard, beak-like point to jab at the eyes, face, throat and other tender areas.

    Crane Kung Fu: Giving Attackers Second Thoughts

    • Crane kung fu can be surprisingly effective when up against harder, more direct styles of fighting. It was designed in part to be a counter-balance to hard driving kicks and punches. The skillful Crane practitioner can needle and annoy his opponent into backing off long enough to abandon his actions.