The Shaolin Animals

TIGER: The Tiger is known for its tenacity and aggressive fighting attitude. Physically the Tiger uses claw strikes, Tiger palms and Tiger mouths strikes. The Tiger is also known for using its low center of gravity and body weight when fighting.

CRANE: The Crane is unique among the animals because of its huge wingspan and ability to grip the ground for balance. The hand strikes include the chicken wrist strike, Crane's beak and the wing strikes. The most common kicks include the front kick, back kick and crescent kicks. The Crane deflects most of an attackers strikes with its ability to create angles with its footwork.

LEOPARD: The Leopard differs from the Tiger in its ability to leap and therefore hit with more impact. It also creates angles allowing more strikes off the rear leg without stepping. The most common hand strike is the Leopard paw but the elbows and forearms are also used. The characteristics are quick snapping motions and angle changes in the stance.

DRAGON: The Dragon possesses fighting spirit and contains wisdom. The Dragon, in legend, comes from storm cloud and therefore can strike in all directions. Most hand strikes use the palm while the kicks can include spinning kicks that copy the movement of the Dragon style that resemble the motion of smoke.

SNAKE: The Snake is unique among the animals in that it has not external limbs. It is known for it's inner strength (chi) and it's rhythmic endurance. The hand strikes mainly utilize precision finger strikes: two finger pokes, spearhand pokes and snake strike. The blocks can resemble constrictor snakes and can wrap the punching arm. Snake stances are similar to cat stances with the forward foot flat. Kicks like the hand strikes use the point of the foot.