Bak Mei Hand Techniques

Bak Mei is a style of southern Shaolin kung fu that is thought to have been developed by a monk of the same name. Like most southern styles of kung fu, Bak Mei offers many good close-quarters fighting techniques including those that use the hand. Bak Mei hand techniques are fast, aggressive and change from soft to hard at the instant impact is made with a target.

  1. The Phoenix Eye Fist

    • The phoenix eye fist is the trademark Bak Mei technique. It is performed by forming a standard fist and then extending the knuckle of the index finger slightly so that it protrudes. All the power behind the delivery of the punch is focused on that one knuckle which is used to attack sensitive, vulnerable points on your opponent.

    The Twisting Phoenix Eye Fist

    • The phoenix eye is a dangerous punch when delivered straight. More experienced practitioners like to employ a twisting, corkscrew motion when delivering this punch. This allows you to drill your punch deeper into your opponent which causes more damage.

    Open Palm Techniques

    • Open palm techniques employed in Bak Mei kung fu include finger jabs, palm strikes and edge hand strikes. Finger jabs are generally delivered towards soft targets such as the eyes, throat and solar plexus. Many practitioners employ the same corkscrew motion of a twisting phoenix eye fist when delivering finger jabs. Palm strikes and edge hand strikes in Bak Mei are launched from a relaxed, soft posture and then hardened at the point of impact to inflict maximum damage.

    Bak Mei Tiger Claw

    • The tiger claw is a technique that is common to many forms of Shaolin kung fu. In Bak Mei, it is primarily used for grappling and seizing an opponent;s limb to neutralize an attack while inflicting damage by digging your fingers into their flesh.