THE LEOPARD

In China, the leopard or panther is second only to the tiger in terms of ferocity and power. Although smaller than a tiger, the leopard is actually stronger, for its size and faster than the large, powerful tiger.

Tigers rely open their size and the explosive force delivered by their short, thick muscle mass to overpower their adversaries. The leopard, on the other hand, is an animal comprised of long, smooth, even-toned muscle. Enclosed within a sleek, fast body frame. Leopards depend upon lightening fast speed and footwork to produce their strength and power.

Leopards do emit a solid power. However, it's not a tense, forceful type of power. Instead the Shaolin leopard's power is produced from loose, relaxed whip like techniques, which are generated by speed and balance, coupled with a limber waist and hip-based movements.

To provide a balance between the solid, massive strength of a tiger and the quick, penetrating force of a crane, Shaolin monks chose the leopard as one of their fighting animals. The Shaolin leopard form develops both physical strength and speed for the practitioner. This kind of penetrating strength is called li by the Chinese and represents an external form of conditioning for skin, tendon, bone, and muscle.

There is little internal training available from the leopard form. Since slow precise movements, which generate and sink the body's Chi lower, promote internal development the quick, sharp techniques, which characterize the leopard, are valuable mainly as external Fighting techniques.

However, There is a definite link between the internal training of the dragon and snake and the leopard's forms external strengths. Each one needs the other to mould into a complete fighting style.

The leopard forms primary fist is called Bao (Pao) Chui (leopard fist) and is a punch designed to produce trauma with a fast penetrating force through the opponent's body.

The training for Bao Chui used to involve punching firm sandbags and practicing push-ups on the knuckles instead of the hands. Leopard stylist hands need to be conditioned before performing this hard external practice or broken knuckles can occur.

One of the characteristic techniques of the leopard form is the ability to simultaneously block and strike the opponent. The sheer force of the forearm driving through the attacker creates a pre-emptive block that parries and strikes at the same time .the sheer speed of the leopard form is where the formidable technique comes into its own. Second only to the Mantis in its quickness of Form.