by Joshua Peacock

Created on: December 03, 2009   Last Updated: December 05, 2009

Every Choy Lay Fut style or lineage has a similar set of core, foundational techiques that reoccur through the forms and the art's application. In some styles this is referred to as the "10 elements", though other school may use a different term. Some schools differ from the other, but they are apart of the same system of Choy Lay Fut. Below are these ten common techniques.

1.) Kum choy is a slapping deflection use to intercept and throw an attack off the line of danger. It can also double as a pin to hold down (or "trap") an opponent's limbs durring a fight.

2.) Na choy is a thrusting or bridge technique also used to intercept attacks, much like a spear. This is to redirect the attack and even knock the opponent off balance.

3.) Gwa choy is a downward swinging backfist strike often used in combination with other elements. It is a heavy attack used to knock the opponent off balance, daze them, or open them for another attack.

4.) Sau choy is an inward sweeping punch - or, in other words, a wide arching hook punch. This is a power strike signature to the Choy Lay Fut system which looks similar to a wild "haymaker" strike, but is actually much more efficient and powerful.

5.) Chop choy is a thrusting fore-knuckle strike, often known as a panther fist in other kung fu circles, or a half fist in other martial arts. This executed from the hips with snapping whip motion, which is great to strike weak spots like the neck, ribs and stomach. This is also executed with a drilling motion.

6.) Pow choy is an upward swinging motion used as a power strike to make the opponent retreat.

7.) Kup choy is a swinging fist "slap", similar to the sau choy, but taking a more horizontal path. It is designed to rake the flesh of an opponent.

8.) Biu choy is a an outward shooting forearm strike, using both fist and innerouter forearm as a striking surface.

9.) Ding choy is an elbow strike, but actually can be any attack made by a joint, such as the knee or shoulder.

10.) Jong choy is a compacted upward power shot, much like the uppercut in western boxing. Instead of the swinging motion of pow choy, jong choy gets its power from the direct upward thrusting action.

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