Sanshou

Translated means “Free Hand.” Includes Chinese Full Contact empty-hand fighting techniques, Self-defense, and Combat Sports. I see Sanshou in references a combat form or Wushu/Kung fu, and with Kickboxing/Muay Thai. It appears the Chinese Military helped develop the discipline and gave a filtered version to non-military people for Sport or Self-defense. Basically meaning the elimination of the techniques that kill or severely injure opponents.

Note: All who are interested in Sanshou should take time to read up on its history. Again this section is not intended to be a history of marital arts page.

Sanshou is most known for its spectacular kick catches leading too formidable sweeps, take downs, and/or throws. Also includes punches, kicks, leg kicks, elbow strikes, and knee strikes, etc. Most popular San shou competitor is the one and only: Cung Li.

Techniques Most Utilized in Full Contact Sanctioned Fighting Sports Kick Catch: A Technique that involves catching your opponents leg when they throw a kick, such as a Roundhouse kick. Which leads into some most impressive leg sweeps, takedowns, and throws. Suggest viewing any of Cung Li’s Sanshou Pro Fights.

Sanshou Techniques would complement the following fighting styles:

Due to its excellent throws and takedowns it would be a good addition to MMA fighters with Boxing, and Kick boxing backgrounds. Would give a greater arsenal of takedowns and throws for Judo or Jiu Jitsu. MMA practioners could easily utilizes Sanshou techniques for quicker transition to Ground-and-Pound positioning such as Full Mount or Side-Guard. May use in other full contact Marital Arts sports that are Freestyle events. Remember to check the rules to your sport for use of any marital arts technique.