SPLASHING HANDS KUNG FU
Training in a variety of Martial Systems, I credit one in particular with giving me a ‘turbo-boost’ and at times, a ‘get out of jail’ card when other strategies or tactics were not quite bearing fruit and that was the system of SPLASHING HANDS Kung Fu.
Splashing Hands is truly a system of Shaolin origin. During the 1700s, the system was developed and founded at the original temple, which is located on the north summit of Shun Shan in Hunan Province, China.
The System was only taught to Monks that guarded the Temple Gates. At the Gates, aside from the Monks, it was only taught to a small number of students. Even after it was made available to students outside of the Temple, it was only practiced by a select few. That was perhaps because those few who knew of its efficacy, refused to share their knowledge which may explain why it’s virtually non-existent in Mainland China today.
Splashing Hands was thought to have been lost although it was subsequently discovered by a Samoan ex US Marine called Haumea ‘Tiny’ Lefiti who fought in the Korean War. In the 1950s, he was serving on the island of Taiwan, and looking to enhance his martial knowledge and having heard of the aforementioned system, approached Master Ark Yuey Wong to train him. Initially, Master Wong refused before adding, presumably as a test of commitment, that he knew of no such system. Lefiti persisted and eventually, Master Wong accepted him for training. NOTE: Lefiti developed into a highly competent Martial Arts exponent who unfortunately died in 1973, at the age of 43. A real tragedy, as he was a brave and principled Man by all accounts.
Lefiti largely kept the system ‘under wraps’ but agreed to teach another American, Sifu James McNeill Splashing Hands. He showed that the system was alive and was still being taught, admittedly by a select few in Taiwan who had been brought over in the late 1940s to early 1950s after the Nationalists, led by Chiang Kai Shek were defeated by the Communists in the Chinese Civil War.
As an overview, the splashing hands style gives men and women of any size the ability to confidently defend themselves in all situations. This is not to say that splashing hands is the best system for everyone, but it will surely complement and enhance other martial arts styles, because it trains both left and right sides of the brain, increases coordination, timing, speed, endurance, strength, and overall cardiovascular conditioning.
The system looks to end a fight in a maximum of ten to fifteen seconds and is accomplished using several lightning fast blows/kicks to the groin, knees, blinding eye pokes and sweeps. Each technique leads and flows into the next. Whilst the opponent is falling to the ground, the splashing hands adept will strike him several times until he has subdued the attacker. If the fighter attempts to withdraw and gain distance, the splashing hands fighter will fuse to him and strike with elbows, kicks, slaps, jabs and punches in an unbroken chain.
Contrary to many martial arts systems that teach forms at the beginning of the fighters training, splashing hands starts with skills that can be readily applied. One begins by learning the basic footwork, known as the shuffles. The fighter performs these shuffles in a ‘box’ painted on the floor in a linear fashion. The footwork of Muhammad Ali in his epic World Championship boxing fights of the 1960/70s were said to have their origins in Splashing Hands.
Once an element of proficiency has been reached, a series of combinations numbering 20, called “Browns” are worked in order to increase the speed still further and promote transition in addition to flow between the techniques.
The proper mindset or fighting spirit is also essential to a fighter training in Splashing Hands. First, he must understand the moment a fight truly begins. It is all too often felt that this is when the first blow is thrown. However, the battle commences long before this first ‘movement’. His stance may shift, or his expression may change. His face may twitch to the wind but may only ruffle the brow. The Splashing Hands learns to recognise these cues, and instantaneously explodes through his opponent.
In a turbulent World, aspects of Splashing Hands are just one of a number of styles that Paul incorporates into his training to better his students in finding their independent, SIGMA spirit. Remember, aside from a small number of Family and Friends, no one is coming to Save You, but YOURSELF.
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