Five Family Fist Technique Demo

These are photos of techniques from the five families of Choy, Li, Fut, Mok, and Hung. Each Family has a set of movements done solo and then with application. This is done so that a person might see how moves in a form may seem odd; but when the application is applied, the movements come alive. Take note of each move in its solo form before paying attention to its application to see how a form can be brought to life.

Special Note: Applications of techniques that are shown on this site are just one aspect of the application of movement. A general rule for the Chinese arts is that there are at least ten applications for each movement.

Photos were taken by C. Richard Talbert.

Choi Gar
1. X-Block in a Toe Horse 2. Step out into a Square Horse and hit with a Metal Backfist.
1. X-Block in a Toe Horse 2. Step out into a Square Horse and hit with a Metal Backfist.
3. Attacker throws punch to groin, which is blocked with an X-Block from Toe Horse. 4. After blocking, double Metal Backfist (in case of more than one opponent) hits to the head and face area.
3. Attacker throws punch to groin, which is blocked with an X-Block from Toe Horse. 4. After blocking, double Metal Backfist (in case of more than one opponent) hits to the head and face area.
Li Gar
1. Simultaneous short, low, side kick and hands stab and protect armpit (death point area). 2. Short side kick blocks opponent's kick as hands simultaneously block the punch and stab the eye.
1. Simultaneous short, low, side kick and hands stab and protect armpit (death point area). 2. Short side kick blocks opponent's kick as hands simultaneously block the punch and stab the eye.
Fut Gar
1. Heavenly Prayer palms in a bow and arrow posture. 2. Prayer palms at man level in a square horse.
1. Heavenly Prayer palms in a bow and arrow posture. 2. Prayer palms at man level in a square horse.
3. Horizontal prayer palms at earth level in bow and arrow posture. 4. Punch comes in to the face, prayer palms trap the arm.
3. Horizontal prayer palms at earth level in bow and arrow posture. 4. Punch comes in to the face, prayer palms trap the arm.
5. Palms move down to break the elbow using the horse stance for leverage. 6. Palms stab carotid artery (double dim mak), shifting to bow and arrow for effective striking and closing.
5. Palms move down to break the elbow using the horse stance for leverage. 6. Palms stab carotid artery (double dim mak), shifting to bow and arrow for effective striking and closing.
Mok Gar
1. Twist horse right with a mok gar third-star block. 2. Square horse using long fist and short elbow.
1. Twist horse right with a mok gar third-star block. 2. Square horse using long fist and short elbow.
3. Punch comes in to the chest. Mok Gar block breaks the elbow using the twist horse for coil power. 4. Blocking arm grabs the punch and pulls the opponent in while the other hand punches the solar plexus area, or dim mak point, going to a square horse for power.
3. Punch comes in to the chest. Mok Gar block breaks the elbow using the twist horse for coil power. 4. Blocking arm grabs the punch and pulls the opponent in while the other hand punches the solar plexus area, or dim mak point, going to a square horse for power.
Hung Gar
1. Circular Hand cloud high in a left toe horse. 2. Circular cloud low in a left toe horse.
1. Circular Hand cloud high in a left toe horse. 2. Circular cloud low in a left toe horse.
3. Bow and arrow left posture using long fist and short elbow. 4. Punch to the head. High clouds block the punch.
3. Bow and arrow left posture using long fist and short elbow. 4. Punch to the head. High clouds block the punch.
5. Punch is redirected low. 6. Long body punch to the solar-plexus, or dim mak point, using push-pull motion and bow and arrow posture for extra power.
5. Punch is redirected low. 6. Long body punch to the solar-plexus, or dim mak point, using push-pull motion and bow and arrow posture for extra power.