San Shou (pro. San Show), meaning free hand, is a conventional system of fighting that includes boxing, kicking, and limited takedowns, as well as elbow, and knee strikes, making San Shou among the few contact sports that utilise the full range of fighting. Training also includes the use of focus pad, kick shield and circuit training.

Our classes are perfect for men and women who are seeking something different, whether you simple wish to tone up, relive stress, learn to defend yourself or take part in a highly exhilarating format of combat.

• No Grappling or Ground Fighting involved
• Great for Fitness, or simply to loss Weight
• Men, Women and Teenagers (13yrs +) Welcome

San Shou is nothing new, dating back through centuries of Chinese history; competitions have always been fought between the many different styles/schools of Chinese martial arts, although in the early years many of these fights were to the death.

Ho-Gar San Shou is based on full contact, using all the same techniques as full contact but with emphasis on the use of either light or semi contact techniques (touch control) to the head and upper body only (all kicks must be waist height or above). This makes our style more accusable to people who want to learn San Shou but don’t want the full contact.

Although a popular sport, San Shou is still a very effective fighting system. Our system focuses more on the effectiveness of the fighting techniques on the streets more so than scoring points and also teaches self-defence techniques from grabs, chokes and holds.

 

---

The term Kickboxing was originally created by a Japanese boxing promoter Osamu Noguchi for a variation of Muay Thai and Karate that he created in the 1950s, but unlike Muay Thai elbow strikes were not allowed. It was later used for the American variation of Full Contact Karate (American Kickboxing).

Nowadays it is mistakenly used as a general term for any “sporting martial art”, that, while similar to boxing, uses feet as well as hands for fighting such as: -

·         Muay Thai - Thai boxing

·         Savate - French boxing

·         San Shou - Chinese boxing

·         Bando - Burmese boxing

(It must be noted that many of the above styles do not consider themselves to be 'kickboxing' as such)

While techniques may be similar, each of the above styles are different with their own rules as to which part of the body may be hit and what techniques may be used in competitions, for example: -

·         Muay Thai – Places a strong emphasis on knee and elbow strikes

·         Savate - Allows the use of shoes

·         San Shou – Allows the use of throws and takedowns

·         Bando - Any part of the body may be used to strike and be struck

·         Japanese Kickboxing – no elbow strikes

·         American Kickboxing - No elbows or knees allowed

 

---

There are eight levels from beginner to Black: - WHITE  –  YELLOW  –  ORANGE  –  GREEN  –  BLUE  –  PURPLE  –  BROWN – BLACK

Like most traditional Chinese systems, beginners start with nothing and have to earn their first grade, White Sash. The time between each grading is approximately 3 months up to Blue Sash, then 6 months for Purple & Brown Sash and 12 months for the Black Sash 

Many people believe that when they have reached the Black Sash that is the end, there is nothing more to learn and they know it all, but as Master Keith Dwan says “Everything up to and including the black are basics. After the black is when you really start to learn the true martial arts”.  

That is why we use the traditional Chinese system of using Degrees after the Black Sash, (1st DEGREE - 2nd DEGREE - 3rd DEGREE etc), with student learn aspects of the more traditional styles for each Degree. These Degrees are the equivalent to the Dan grades in the Japanese systems.

 Instructor Training

As well as grading, students have the opportunity to train to become an instructor in our system, this might sound strange, “training to become an instructor”, but it is not as easy as people think, executing a technique is one thing but trying to teach it is something else.

Our instructor program is open to anyone who is a Brown Sash or above. Starting as an assistant instructor and working their way up to become a club instructor or even open their own club, teaching our style.  

Apart from learning to teach techniques properly, assistant instructors also have to learn Class Management, Health & Safety, Data Protection and Child Protection making it a very comprehensive program because anyone who is teaching our style is an advert for us and we want them to be the best they can possible be and give students confidence in our instructors.

 

---

Basics consist of a wide range of striking techniques using the hands, elbows, knees and kick which are practiced by punching, kicking and blocking in thin air allowing the instructors and the students to make sure the techniques are executed properly and they are not over stretching, the last thing you want in a real fight is to miss your target, over stretch and fall flat on your face.
 

---

We use a full range of pads including:- focus pads, Thai pads, kick pads plus punch/kick bags. Pad work is used to help execute correct technique, increase power and building stamina.

Covering & Punching	Elbows
When using the pads or bags, adult members are encouraged to use full contact power, this way if a student has to use a technique in a real fight they would be able to throw a powerful technique.

Knees	Kicks

 

---

Although the self-defence techniques come from the traditional styles, they are very versatile and adapt very well to our modern day needs. These include Shuai Jiao (fast wrestling, the art of sweeping, throwing and takedowns) and Chin Na (meaning seize & control this is the art of controlling your opponent by using joint locks to limit mobility and attack acupressure points and other sensitive parts of the body with strikes, grabs and many other techniques, very much like the Japanese art of Ju-Jitsu and Akido).
 

---

Fighting is not just about throwing punches and kicks hoping that you are going to hit your opponent, its about learning to think fast, use strategies and take control of the fight, getting your opponent to do what you want them to do and  finding ways to open them up so you can land your technique.

LIGHT CONTACT

This is a good way of trying out new techniques. Fighters throw techniques with speed but no power, this allows both fighters the chance work on their control, attacks, blocks, throws, takedowns, combinations etc and strategies.

SEMI CONTACT

Semi contact techniques are a little more powerful than in light contact.  Although semi contact is fast and powerful the techniques are still controlled, this teaches a student speed, agility and control. 

Control is important in any martial arts, as many of the techniques used can be dangerous, even deadly if proper control is not used.

Sparring is continues, this means that a fight will continue for a set period of time (usually 1 – 3 minutes each), with no breaks.

 

---

Once a students has gained their Black Sash they are ready to start learning the other forms of Chinese martial arts. Two of these styles are Splashing Hands and Hsing-I

Splashing Hands

This style was developed at the Shaolin Temple in the late 1700’s, and is a close in fighting system of kung fu.  It was taught to those monks who were in charge of guarding the temple gates.  Splashing hands, named for the way the hands move as if one is shaking water from them, is valued for it’s explosive, high-speed hand and footwork and its simultaneous offensive and defensive techniques.

As a fighting style, splashing hands is an extremely practical, no-nonsense art. It features quick shuffling footwork, similar but faster than that used by the famous Muhammad Ali, and low-focused straight leg kicks. These are combined with jabs, punches, elbows, hammer-fist, chops and finger-pokes thrown with blinding, machine gun-like rapidity.

Splashing hands is extremely contemporary in that it is geared strictly for the streets. It is, in fact, a pure street fighting system, working close and sticking to the opponent is of paramount concern. When the opponent attempts to withdraw from the attacks, the splashing hands fighter closes the gap and sticks to him, all the while striking them with jabs, punches, elbows, uppercuts and kicks.

In reality, a street fight should last no more than ten to fifteen seconds. Splashing hands is structured to fit this time frame. It accomplishes its goal using lightening kicks to the knees and groin co-ordinate with the high-speed barrage of various hand techniques.

Hsing-I (Mind Boxing)

Hsing-I Chuan or Xing Yi Quan is one of the “three sisters” of Internal Martial Arts practice, the other two being Pa-Kua and Tai Chi.

The Shansi style of Hsing-I Chuan is considered by most to be the original method, and most rare of the Hsing-I styles found today. It is credited by many to General Yueh Fei, circa 1100 A.D. and is known for its vigorous and powerful movements, which are quick and extremely powerful. It is a no-messing style that is designed to take out an opponent as quick as possible

The basis of Hsing-I is the Five Element Boxing. This contains five techniques each of with is associated with one of the elements: - Metal, Water, Wood, Fire and Earth.

The more advanced level of Hsing-I system includes the twelve animals: - Tiger, Eagle/Bear, Horse, Turtle, Monkey, Snake, Sparrow Hawk, Chicken, Fighting Cock, Phoenix, Swallow and Dragon.

For more information on Splashing Hands  or Hsing-I please refer to our link with 

“Little Nine Heaven”

 

---

Training with weapons is an excellent way to improve hand and eye co-ordination, improve reflexes and helps keep the body supple. The nunchaku is an excellent example, as anyone who has ever used them will tell you.

 

Weapons training includes exercises, basics, solo forms, two man forms and sparring. Many of the techniques can be used with everyday items, for example; you can’t walk down the street with a broadsword in your hand, yet you can use the same techniques with an umbrella or walking stick

                      

Two-Man Staff Form	Tonfa		Broadsword
Butterfly Swords	Double Edged Sword		Spear
Nunchaku	Kwon Do	Trident

 

Single & Double Short Stick

Although similar to eskrima, this style of fighting has been developed by Sifu Hogan using techniques from the kung fu broadsword and butterfly swords. Students first lean attacks; blocks and self-defence using a single stick then moves on to using two sticks at the same time.   What makes the short sticks so effective is that the techniques can be used with many everyday objects such as an umbrella, walking stick and even a rolled-up newspaper.   As with all forms of martial arts, sparring with the nunchaku and short sticks is also practiced under strict supervision and using protective equipment and safety weapons.

 

---