Today we discuss: Tiger Claw

[Martial Matt]

Hmm, I'm not sure where that guy learned a tiger claw from? The applications for a tiger claw as I learned them involved either striking and raking or more commonly a grab and twist routine. As presented in that clip, the application doesn't look very effective for anything really.

[Luther unleashed]

In Hung Gar kung fu we ise toger claw but i have necer leared it as its showed here. i learned it as an attack to the eyes, hand preperation for a grab, or as a palm strike... Never the tips into throat and what not. I would prefer to use it in one of these ways. I would also choose some other techniques first but i like to say often to students "there is a time and a place for everyrhing. in karate there are many strikes that have been disected and many different types of techniques have been derived from one movement, this technique in kung fu is no different then that.

[Luther unleashed]

Hmm, I'm not sure where that guy learned a tiger claw from? The applications for a tiger claw as I learned them involved either striking and raking or more commonly a grab and twist routine. As presented in that clip, the application doesn't look very effective for anything really.

I posted before i read this on the second page. similar to my assesment of the video, sort of says something I think!

[Alan Armstrong]

My Sensei very unexpectedly used this Tiger claw technique on me some 35 years ago. Still today I'm impacted by the event.

He was in construction, so he was grabbing things all day in his daily duties. I guess when some people have a hammer in their hands, everything looks like a nail. In my case my throat must have looked like a piece of wood.

Calcium buildup on bones is true, as shown in the video. Another sensei of mine had this calcium build up on his knukles as I learned from him, so do I have this calcium build up also on my knuckles; even more so.

Tiger claw. Eagle claw. Dragon claw. Chin-na techniques. All different and all can be very damaging depending on who is using it and where it is used on the human body.

Tiger claw is a grabing and ripping technique usually practiced on hanging meat. All cats use this 'tiger claw technique'. (When a cat gets it's claws in to your flesh, you learn fast how well it works). Tearing bark from trees with only the use of fingertips and trying to catch fish with bare hands are just a few methods used to practice this style.

Eagle claw is a palm strike that turns in to a grab.

As Eagles hunt they hit their prey to stun them first, grab to pick the prey up and throw them to the ground. This technique is often practiced or used by bouncers or variations of it, outside clubs and bars.

Dragon claw uses bone power while the hand is in a fixed position, as if breaking bricks. Using the whole body weight and a twisting motion to hit with a devastating single blow. Claude Van Dame liked to use this technique in his movies. It has a dramatic reptilian look and feel to it. This technique is intended to cause a person internal ruptures to organs, causing eventual death.

Another dragon claw technique also works very well, by grabbing a person's face making them loose balance and visibility, then pushing their head back and slamming them in one swift motion straight down in to the ground. There are variations of this technique from many positions but the principles are the same. An added touch to this techniques is to use the other hand to press in to the opponent's lower back, causing a greater impact than it already is.

Chin-na was developed by Shaolin monks to catch bare handedly wild animals, so as to not cause them permanent damage or harm. Now days this 'Grab and hold idea' is mostly used by law enforcement personnel to apprehend or detain potential criminal, used all around the world.