Kung fu moviesare famous for their dazzling fight scenes in which characters show off their mastery of the martial arts. Considering the majority of onscreen combat is largely choreographed, most of the moves portrayed in these films wouldn’t be effective in an actual fight. With that said, somecinematic kung fu techniques are central to the fighting styleand have been practiced and perfected by experts in the trade.
Actors likeJackie Chan who still has upcoming movies, showcased many of these moves to the world and gave the genre widespread popularity.Films likeKung Fu Panda 4took these techniques to another level, adding fictional power elements. In kung fu films, characters frequently use moves that look relatively simple to perform. It’s easy to think that the technique might be straightforward to replicate, but it takes years of practice to successfully apply.The fact that these characters can make such difficult methods look so effortlessdemonstrates how complex kung fu can truly be.
10Back Kick
Jet Li - Fist of Legend (1994)
The back kick is a relatively universal technique that is found across multiple styles of fighting, including karate, Muay Thai, Taekwondo, kickboxing, and others. While it might not be the most flashy move,the back kick has unlimited applications.To perform this attack, an individual must rotate 180 degrees and strike with their foot in an upward direction.
The fight choreographer for this film, Yuen Woo-Ping, also directed the fight scenes inThe Matrix(1999)
The difficulty of this move isn’t about actually getting it done, but executing it correctly. For it to be effective, there has to be proper footwork and flexibility to generate the necessary rotational force. When performed with the right technique, the move creates a large amount of torque and sends opponents flying. InFist of Legend,Jet Li demonstrates a perfect back kickand makes it look effortless. As he spins around, he creates massive power behind the move and knocks back his student.
9Split
Tigress - Kung Fu Panda (2008)
Like its application in real life, the split in kung fu is typically used as a stretching practice to increase dexterity for future fights. While it doesn’t necessarily seem like the easiest move to perform,many people believe they can execute a split and are unpleasantly surprised when they realize how difficult it is.It takes massive amounts of flexibility and practice to get it done right.
In the context of kung fu, the split is predominantly performed in non-combatant scenarios. However,fictional movies often test the limits of human capabilityand imagine how these types of moves could be translated to battle. While these wouldn’t be feasible for a fight in real life, their impressiveness warrants a mention. InKung Fu Panda, the split is an important part of the Jade Palace’s kung fu training. AsMaster Shifu(Dustin Hoffman) says, “It takes years to develop one’s flexibility, and years longer to apply it in combat.”
8Palm Strike
Bruce Lee - Enter the Dragon (1973)
Often referred to as the iron palm,the palm strike is a frequently used combat technique in kung fu.Unlike a traditional punch, the palm strike utilizes the power generated by the heel of the hand, which can deliver significant force. Additionally, a palm strike can be a less risky move compared to a traditional knuckle punch. It seems basic, but it’s hard to get right.
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The difficulty in this movement mainly revolves around the way the arm is extended, the correct application of the heel, and the location where the blow is landed. Generally, it’s best to make contact with the chin, nose, or forehead of the opponent to inflict the most damage. In his fight with O’Hara (Bob Wall) inEnter the Dragon,Bruce Lee demonstrates a flawless application of a palm strike.As he extends his arm in an upward direction, he knocks O’Hara down in one swift motion.
7Chain Punches
Donnie Yen - Ip Man (2010)
Chain punches derive from Wing Chun, a martial art that is a style of kung fu. From an outside perspective, it seems like chain punches are easily replicable. After all, it’s basically just throwing a bunch of successive punches. However, the correct execution of this technique comes down to rhythm and endurance. This technique can’t be reckless, it has to be done with proper timing and at the right moment.
Donnie Yen’s fights in theIp Manfranchisepopularized this movement in the world of cinematic martial arts. It’s his signature move, and he performs it flawlessly. Although they might seem excessive,chain punches have established roots in kung fuand are practiced by many in the world of martial arts. In the scene where Ip man is fighting off 10 black belts at once, he frequently implements chain punches, driving his opponents into the ground with blow after blow.
6Nerve Attack
Chen Kuan Tai - Executioners from Shaolin (1977)
On the surface, this technique looks simple. It seems like all one has to do is poke the opponent a bunch of times, and it completely disables them.Cinematic martial arts stretch the effectiveness of nerve attacks for audience appeal,but the use of pressure point attacks has real roots in kung fu. The idea is to strike the opponent in certain sensitive areas of the body to cause sharp pain and discomfort. This can lead to openings or imbalances which provide the opportunity for a different approach.
It’s not as easy as it seems, and it’s all about knowing where to land the blow.Executioners from Shaolinexplores the idea of using nerve attacks creatively.Pai Mei (Lo Lieh), Hung Hsi Kuan (Chen Kuan-Tai) practices on a bronze statue filled with tracks of ball bearings meant to simulate the blood vessels of the human body. As he strikes different areas and plucks the balls out, he tries to emulate the stoppage of blood flow and nerves to weaken his opponent. It’s not about hitting certain areas, the statue is also meant to sharpen his speed and timing.
5Horse Stance
Jackie Chan - Drunken Master (1978)
The horse stance isn’t a technique that would be directly used in combat, but is rather a method of training that is aimed at increasing one’s leg strength, flexibility, and balance. From an outside perspective, this just seems like a simple squat, but it’s a very difficult move to hold, especially for long periods. It’s a fundamental martial arts position, and it can be translated to fighting scenarios when the stance is slightly modified to be more viable for attacks.
When done correctly, it can greatly improve an individual’s mobility in fighting situations.Jackie Chan demonstrates a perfect horse stancein the legendary filmDrunken Master. In a famous training scene, Chan executes a horse stance while balancing teacups on his knees and shoulders, in addition to having weighted bracelets. To make matters worse, he is squatting over a spike.
4Spear Hand Strike
Keanu Reeves - The Matrix (1999)
The spear hand strike is a pretty self-explanatory move.To perform the spear hand strike, the individual must extend their fingers and tighten them together, forming a spear-like shape. Usually, this movement is targeted toward the neck, eyes, ribs, or solar plexus to inflict the most damage. The difficulty in performing this move isn’t forming the position, but applying it in the right location to not create any self-inflicting damage.
Keanu Reeves trained in the martial arts for four months in preparation for his role as Neo, learning a number of different fighting disciplines.
The spear hand strike has been used in several martial arts movies, but one of the most iconic examples is Neo’s (Keanu Reeves) employment of the movement in his fight against Agent Smith (Hugo Weaving). As the two characters brawl in the subway,Neo shows off his newly learned kung fu prowessand delivers a precision strike to his opponent’s neck. It is one of manyskills Keanu Reeves learned for his movie roles.
3Pole Fighting
Gordon Liu - The Eight Diagram Pole Fighter (1984)
Pole fighting has deep roots in the history of kung fu,but is particularly ingrained in the Wing Chun style. Simply using a pole during a fight is not a complicated endeavor, but implementing the practice of the Wing Chun fighting technique is what makes this practice incredibly difficult. It takes years of training to become comfortable wielding this weapon, and even more instruction to be able to utilize it in combat scenarios.
The pole can serve many purposes, including offensive, defensive, and mobility benefits. Without a doubt, one of the most impressive displays of cinematic pole fighting comes from Gordon Liu’s performance as Yang Wu-lang in the Shaw Brother Studio classicThe Eight Diagram Pole Fighter.In the film,Liu embodies the kung fu pole fighting techniques,using his unique weapon to take down countless opponents.
2One Inch Punch
Donnie Yen - Ip Man 3 (2016)
The one-inch punch is a technique that doesn’t seem like it would work,but the efficacy of this strike is crazy. It’s a move that seems incredibly easy to perform, but executing it properly takes significant practice. The punch is more of a training exercise concept, and normally wouldn’t be used in a real fight. However, it demonstrates that a substantial amount of power can be generated in a short distance when proper inertia of the body is utilized.
The one-inch was first popularized by martial arts legend Bruce Lee during the Long Beach International Karate Championships in 1964.
One of the best cinematic displays of the one-inch punch is demonstrated byDonnie Yen as Ip ManinIp Man 3,during his showdown with Cheung Tin-chi (Zhang Jin). As the two engage in a kung fu battle, Ip man creates an opening and unleashes the technique multiple times, completely disabling his opponent.The one-inch punch is an elegant technique, but so destructive.
1Wuxi Finger Hold
Po - Kung Fu Panda (2008)
Althoughthe Wuxi finger hold is completely fictional and has no real roots in kung fu or any martial art,the ratio of simplicity to raw destructive power is flat-out ridiculous. The technique is simply too epic to not be mentioned. The fabled move involves grabbing an opponent’s finger with the index finger and thumb, and then simply flexing one’s own pinky.
In theKung Fu Pandafranchise, the Wuxi finger hold was first introduced by Master Shifu. Later in the film, Po uses the technique to defeat the antagonist, Tai Lung. According to the lore ofKung Fu Panda, using this move effectively banishes the target into the spirit realm forever and concurrently releases a massive blast of spiritual energy. Po’s iconic “skadoosh” as he performs the technique is one of manyamazing quotes from theKung Fu Pandafranchise.Although the Wuxi finger hold is explored further in the latter films, its usage in the first movie is unforgettable.
