The panther is one of the five animal styles found in Shaolin kung fu, the other four being tiger, crane, dragon and snake. Panther style techniques include hand and elbow strikes as well as low kicks. This style of kung fu also emphasizes swift, aggressive attacks rather than relying on blocking techniques and strong stances. Panther style kung fu is also often referred to as leopard style.
Panther Fist
The panther fist technique, also known as the leopard fist, is the main hand strike in this style of kung fu. Form a panther fist by curling your fingers forward so that the fingertips touch the surface of your hand above the palm. You strike an opponent with the palm and the ridges of the fingers. To avoid injuring or even fracturing your fingers, "Inside Kung Fu" magazine advises aiming a panther fist at soft targets, such as an opponent's solar plexus, throat or other vulnerable points rather than at harder targets such as the skull.
Elbow Strike
The China Martial Arts Center's website identifies elbow strikes as another major technique used by practitioners of the panther style. This technique, designed for use at close range, can target many parts of an opponent's body, including the face, chest, groin and other areas.
Kicks and Knee Strikes
Panther style kung fu is not limited to hand and elbow strikes. It also uses low kicks as well as knee strikes at close range to disable an opponent. Like the hand techniques, panther style teaches you to direct your kicks and knee strikes against sensitive areas of the opponent's body, such as the groin, solar plexus and ribs.
"Leopard Plays Ball"
The Nam Pai Chuan Kung Fu School in New Zealand identifies this technique as an effective combination of hand strikes and footwork in style. Execute this combination by striking an opponent's head with a regular closed fist, striking downward like a hammer, while simultaneously aiming a kick or knee at the groin.
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