13 hands

Although the Sup Saam Sau is the first thing a trainee learns when he joins the class, it is also considered the very essence of the system itself. The 13 techniques contained within is simple to learn, perhaps even look ineffectual to the untrained, yet contains profound variations that can kill with a single strike.

In the beginning, a student only learns the 13 forms, while standing either in a Yee Jee Keem Yueng Ma or Sil Say Peng Ma, where he would be taught the proper structure, angle and alignment. He would also be taught a simple application of the techniques itself. As he progress, the footwork (Ng Loon Ma, or the 5 interchangeable stances) is incorporated into the 13 hands to add mobility and structure.

It was only with an understanding of the 13 hands and its variation that the student will be officially "Hoi Kuen" and taught the first form, Siu Lim Tau. At this time, students would also be paired up and taught drills using the 13 hands, at first stationery, then with the Ng Loon Ma.

The 13 hands are organized as follows:

Chung Kuen (Thrusting Fist)

Bil Sau (Shooting fingers)

Gaan Sau (Ploughing hand)

Bong Sau (Wing Arm)

Mun Loh Sau (Direction-seeking hand)

Por Pai Sau (Shield Breaking Strike)

Chang Jueng (Thrusting Palm)

Cheen Jee Sau ("Cheen" character hand, "cheen" is "thousand" in Cantonese)

Peck Sau (Edge-striking hand)

Pau Sau (Throwing hand)

See Sau (Tearing hand)

Giu Sau (Leverage hand)

Daan Sau (Spring hand)