Tiger Claw Kung Fu Techniques

Tiger claw, a traditional animal style of kung fu, comes from Northern Shaolin kung fu. Monks at Shaolin Temple developed this form of kung fu, drawing inspiration from the strength, courage and power of the tiger. A tiger in the wild moves swiftly in for the kill. Similarly, tiger claw kung fu uses fast decisive movements to bring combat to a quick end.

  1. Strategy in Tiger Claw Kung Fu

    • In the wild tigers have no natural predators, only prey. Therefore, they have no real need for defenses. Tigers do not block or evade---they simply attack. Tiger claw kung fu adapts this same strategy, employing a direct approach to fighting. Tiger claw kung fu methods bring about a swift resolution to any conflict.

    Tiger Claw Kung Fu Fighting Technique

    • Tiger claw kung fu uses large, fast circular motions resembling big cat swipes.

      The kicks look like the strikes of the strong, powerful back legs of a tiger---direct, straight and powerful.

      To assume the basic stance, you let your hips, wrists, shoulders, elbows and forearms sink. Your back should remain erect, the waist locked at the hips. You hold your head upright and tense your neck. Your eyes should stay wide open while your gaze blazes outward like a tiger's.

      Tiger claw kung fu is believed to be the first style of kung fu to have used the straight, twisting punch, now common among many different types of martial arts. This punch is thrown by launching your fist straight out and twisting it as it flies through the air toward the point of contact. The twisting greatly increases the impact of the punch as it drills into the target.

      Tiger claw kung fu uses various round, sudden punches, but employs a principal hand technique called the tiger claw strike, or hu zhua.

      To perform a tiger claw strike, throw your hand straight out and down, impacting first with the heel of the hand to smash and then dragging downward with the fingers as if clawing and tearing through flesh. This move should be delivered suddenly and decisively, like a cat pouncing on a prey.

      To form a tiger claw, arch the thumb and index finger into a C shape. The other fingers should be held slightly apart, pointed and curved just at the ends to create a strong tension at the fingertips and a slightly lighter tension at the back of the hand. The back of the hand should curve slightly forward at the wrist, creating a maximum focus of tension at the fingertips.

      The tiger claw delivers the most power to soft targets such as the face, neck, groin and wrists.

    Training in Tiger Claw Kung Fu

    • Much of the training in tiger claw kung fu involves strengthening the muscles in the hands to improve the impact of the tiger claw strike. One of the best methods to build strength for the tiger claw is fingertip push-ups, no different than conventional push-up but supporting the entire body on the fingertips rather than the hands or fists.

      Some students plunge their hands forcefully into buckets of gravel. This is a good training method for any martial art as it toughens the hands, ensuring that when you strike your opponent, he will feel it, not you.

      Through the use of breath, tiger claw kung fu practitioners further enhance their strikes. Breathe deeply, feeling the energy gather in the center of your "chi," a point two inches below the navel. When you strike, exhale forcefully from the chi. As you expel the air, you use the tiger's roar, a fierce growl that adds even greater force to the movement and causes fear in your opponent.

      Like most forms of Shaolin kung fu, the tiger claw style demands flexibility, strength and a good level of fitness. However, because the aim of tiger claw is to quickly and decisively end conflicts, it suits those who might not have the endurance to fight for longer periods of time.