| When many people think of Shaolin Kung Fu | | | | your accuracy and speed. A strong punch is |
| they think of meditation and chi. While it is | | | | meaningless if it does not hit the target, or |
| true that Shaolin Kung Fu does stress | | | | is so slow that it is easily blocked or |
| meditation and the use of inner energy, it is | | | | countered. Your punches must also be fast so |
| actually an external form of Chinese martial | | | | that you can quickly move into another |
| arts. This means that it is more involved in | | | | attack, or react defensively. After a punch |
| the external powers and forces. There are | | | | is thrown it should be retracted quickly so |
| many styles of Shaolin Kung Fu which can | | | | that arm can defend if needed. Many martial |
| include many types of attacks and defenses | | | | arts shops sell pads that can be mounted on a |
| including joint locks, punching, kicking, | | | | human body in many places such as the hands, |
| throws, straight blocking, force direction, | | | | ribs, and legs. Your training partner should |
| and many more. However, the two things that | | | | wear these pads so that you can practice at |
| most types of schools of Shaolin Kung Fu all | | | | full speed and have moving targets. While |
| stress is fast handwork and quick footwork. | | | | striking the pads at full speed your training |
| Many Shaolin Kung Fu exercises promote these | | | | partner should be moving around so that you |
| skills. | | | | have a moving target. Hand mounted pads are |
| | | | great because they can be moved very quickly |
| When practicing Shaolin Kung Fu, striking it | | | | to aid in the training of fast combos. You |
| is important to keep the feet moving as you | | | | and your Shaolin Kung Fu training partner can |
| punch. If your feet are planted like roots | | | | develop a routine in which you strike at the |
| you will not be able to adjust to the next | | | | left side of the face, and then the chest. |
| attack or set up another attack. Your moves | | | | Your partner can move the pad from one |
| must flow from one to another and you must be | | | | location to the next quickly, which forces |
| ready to change your motions in mid-movement | | | | you to strike two targets as fast as |
| in case an opponent launches an attack. You | | | | possible. |
| should practice staying light on your feet | | | | |
| and moving your weight around. Each attack | | | | If your hands are fast and precise, and your |
| must leave the door open for another quick | | | | footwork is light and agile, you will have |
| attack, or a sudden defense. Your Shaolin | | | | quick attacks that cannot be blocked and will |
| Kung Fu exercises should strive for agile | | | | be able to react to any defense of offense. |
| footwork while striking, rather than training | | | | Too many people hit a punching bag target |
| both aspects independently. | | | | with their feet flat. Punching bags do not |
| | | | challenge your precision like a smaller |
| When practicing Shaolin Kung Fu punching you | | | | moving target does. |
| should also have targets that help improve | | | | |