Synopsis of the Second Book
Even though the Fist book was an introduction to the Shaolin 72 Fists it has key principles that you need to understand before moving on to this book! This Book, the 2nd of 9 in the 72 Fists series, builds on these and expands as well as introducing some of the more advanced Fists and associated Tactics.

The 9th Fist, the Gorilla Punch Fist will show you how different these Fists are to the first 72 Fist Level. The concept of upside down blocking, elevation and double hand attacks are all covered in the 9th Fist. And then there are another 7 new Fists and Tactics including the Snow Leopards Fist and the Rams head Fist!

The subtleties of the 36 strategies can make them a bit confusing. In addition to explaining each strategy, similar strategies are compared and the sometimes subtle but important differences highlighted! Like the difference between Strategy 6 and 8. And there are very important differences and are used in different situations and conditions.

5. Loot a Burning House
6. Clamor in the East, Attack in the West
7. Create Something From Nothing
8. Openly Repair The Walkway, Secretly March to Chencang

The 2nd Book already ups the ante and has some interesting and effective techniques with twists! But be sure to train this carefully and take your time. These are Shaolin Techniques and thus have a great depth and a lot of detail

09 - Gorilla Fist Punch
Monkey Kung Fu is one of the elder Kung Fu's. It is full of rolling, twirling and sometimes playful movements. The Gorilla Fist Punch is one of the strongest Monkey Kung Fu Fists. It is coupled with an exceedingly strong block and a 'twisted' tactic. But this is as the first Monkey Fist in the 72 Fists should be.

Although not the most complex, this Fists adds a dimension that most martial arts do not often use. It juxtapositions offensive and defensive in a tactic that is guaranteed to confuse and attacker. As a supporting technique you have the Twin Iron Bar Block, for defence against very strong Whirlwind Kicks.

Key techniques Covered

1. Monkey Stance
2. Twin Iron Bar Block
3. Gorilla Fist

10 - Snow Leopard Fist
The Fist known mention of the (Tibetan) Snow Leopard form/style (little more is know about it) was in conjunction with Mot, a Choy Lay Fut practitioner. History records that he, a small person, used The Snow Leopard Fist with great speed and precision, attacking structural weak points, such as the ribs, neck, groin, bladder, in a specific rapid fire way.

Choy Lee Fut is (usually) best suited to largish, strong practitioners. Mot was a Small person, even for oriental's. Although he was excellent in his Kung Fu, when confronted with his fellow, bigger students he could not be successful. Not much is know about Mot except that he traveled to the area of the O Mai Shan Shaolin Temple. When he returned, several years later, he returned with the Tibetan Snow Leopard Fist and was very successful against his fellow Students so much so that the Fist was incorporated into that Master version of Teaching Choy Lee Fut

The Snow Leopards Tactic can be almost guessed. Being white with some spots to blend in with the Snow, the Snow Leopard Fist uses a cunning uprising surprise strategy that is especially effective against Big and Strong Opponents. It dose require a great precision and speed though. Yin and Yang, Speed and Precision versus Strength and Reach!

Key Techniques

1. Flying Dragon Movement
2. Snow Leopard Fist

11 - Rams head Fist
Around 500 BCE, there was a mention of a form of ritualized wrestling called Go-Ti. Two men attached horned Hats to their head and charged at each other. Around 650 CE initial forms of Sumo wrestling were very similar except for the Horned head. Two Big men would charge at each other trying to knock out their opponent. Festivals in Henan (where Shaolin is) and Manchuria still have a tame version of Go-Ti at festivals and gatherings. Very ritualized now, more of a dance and show, it still has the components of the Rams head Fist.

The Principle and tactic of the Rams head Fist comes from the simplicity and directness. You charge your opponent wildly, much like a Ram running and attacking except that at the last moment you . . . well that is the speciality of this Fist.

Key Techniques

1. Side Dragon Stance
2. Rams head Fist

Shadow - One Hit wonders are very rare and often they don't work. This one does, but you need to get it just right. Then you can also use and Eagle Front Kick, Flying Side Kick or even Hammer Punch as Shadow versions.

12 - Triple Surprise Fist
Many street fighters use a couple of common tactics to gain the upper hand. Usually they are just complex and good enough to confuse but simple enough to be quick and effective. The Triple Surprise Fist is such a fist. It is fairly simple but complex enough that many people do not see what is happening and thus not be able to use it against you in turn.

In this fist we revisit the principle of the Wind as used in the Branch Whipping Fist but different. Where in the Branch Whipping Fist it was use as an evasive tactic in this first it is used to get in.

Key Techniques

1. Moon Fist
2. Volcano Punch Fist
3. Stone Breaking Fist

Shadow - Once you have understood this principle and learned the first Chapter of 72 Fists (Book 1, 2 and 3) you will be encouraged to 'customize' this fist and have your own Triple Surprise Fist; because that is also the core of this fist, developing your fist to work for your way of doing things!

13 - Phoenix Eye Fist
The history of Yau Kung Mun dates back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE) in the Shaolin Temple of Henan Province, where Buddhist monk Ding Yang first created the style. As a monk he spent his life perfecting and refining the technical skills of this art, while working on his own perfection as a martial artist and a spiritual person. Being a very humble and withdrawn man he decided not to give the style a name, and after time the style became known as "The Style With No Name". For hundreds of years the art of Yau Kung Mun was taught only within the confines of the Shaolin Temple, and only then to one monk per generation. Now it has developed into a whole style in it self called "Phoenix Eye Fist" also know as 'One hit, one kill' (and many styles lay claim to this principle).

Best suited for flexible, light and agile people who do not wish to use strength and force but accuracy and speed, the Phoenix Eye Fist is a style in it self with just the one method of working and two ways of applying; deadly or irritating. A very dangerous technique if taught wrongly and applied stupidly. It is speculated that practitioners of this style are all dead because of the harm they cause and thus are jailed or executed. It is said that now this style only resides in the elder house of the Triads.

Phoenix is the dark side of the Shaolin Crane. This version, of course, seeks not to kill or maim but to stun and dis-orientate. The tactic applied is one of patience and economy changing to one sudden, quick and forceful movement.

Key Techniques

1. Crane Stance
2. Crane Stepping
3. Phoenix Eye Fist Fist

14 - Monkey Grabs the Pearls Fist
Monkey Kung Fu is one of the elder styles of kung fu even predating Shaolin. It is therefore not surprising that it had an influence on Shaolin Kung Fu and is considered a Shadow version of the Panther aspect. Being full of rolling, twirling and sometimes playful movements, its constantly changing footwork and ascending and descending stances tend to lull it's opponent into a state of momentary confusion and bewilderment, allowing the monkey an opportunity to unexpectedly leap into an attack and jump away again.

The way monkeys advance, retreat, dash, jump and turn is the key to this and it's main tactic. No rhythmic movement, no movement where is should be and how it should be; No the pogo stick bouncing of modern sport styles but the playfulness of the trickster. Monkey steps are characterized by narrow paces and quick legs to enable better speed and spirit of movement. Monkey also likes to play with their opponent, winning the bout before it has even begun.

Best suited for strong smaller bodies, Monkey Kung Fu is ideal for bringing out the 'Smart Ass' in ourselves, taunting the opponent. And the Monkey Grabs the Pearls is the Smart Ass Fist of all Smart Ass Fists.

Key Techniques

1. Monkey Rolling
2. Monkey Walking
3. Monkey Leaping
4. Monkey Claw Fist

Shadow - The version you will learn has all the components of the original fist without causing all the damage. It is adapted to modern day clothing and lifestyles. Why does this matter you ask? well it does; the original fist may possibly not quite work with today's clothing!

15 - Mantis Claw Scooping Fist
Especially in the time of the 5 Animal Kung Fu around the time of the last Chinese Dynasty, the Mings, Shaolin Warrior Monks were considered invincible. Wang Lang was a famous Sword Fighter and the best in the land. Looking for a challenge, he challenged a Shaolin Warrior Monk and got thrashed. As it goes, he went into retreat to train harder and tried again and got thrashed again. When on the verge of giving up, he saw a fight between a slim mantis and a big cicada. Although the cicada was bigger, the Mantis blinded it with a block/claw combination. Wang Lang adapted this to his way and challenged the Monks again. It is said he was able to best a Shaolin Monk but was still not able to beat a Warrior Monk. being a person of practicality, we was happy with this and so Praying Mantis Kung Fu was born with this Fist.

The Mantis stylist tactic is never to attack (like the Snake), seeks to camouflage and hide (like the Panther) and tries to find a quick and sudden finish (like the Snake again). It's key element is separation, division and 'chunking' down. It will seek to lessen the abilities of an enemy not by going for the kill but to go for a debilitating strike, claw or kick. In the 15th Fist, the theoretical target is the eye, just like with the Cicada. In a defence situation, you would seek to invalidate your opponent's key advantages without necessarily attacking your opponent directly.

It is best suited to Slim wiry body types with patience and persistence; the Mantis waits for their opponent to come within attacking range, seemingly being not ready. Then and only then it springs into action either immediately finishing the opponent or finding a debilitating vital part.

Key Techniques

1. Midsection Inverting Block
2. Mantis Scoop
3. Mantis Claw Fist

Shadow - We modify this Fist for safety's sake and aim for one of the great Three Points

1. Temple
2. Ear Lobe
3. Crown of the head

Masters Hidden Fist (High Side Fist)
Almost every traditional Kung Fu systems has it's advanced and often secret techniques that are only taught to one student, the one to take over the style. Often the master, who needs to stay ahead of his students, reserves a few techniques that are effective but possibly confusing in movement so that even the trained eye may not recognize it fully. This is one of them. Although very simple and basic, this technique confounds most opponents. It is meant to be only functional if you know the totality of the technique. Just seeing a part or understanding a part is meant to confuse.

This is well suited for stronger, direct partitioners with a bit of arm/hand finesse. As the attack comes you push it back and when you encounter resistance, you side step the force and apply the Spade Edge Strike. An excellent Yang, Yin combination tactic (push-pull) that has many, many variations. Your opponent should, depending on accuracy and strength of the technique, become mildly disoriented to unconscious.

Key Techniques

1. Opening Hand Block
2. Snake Stepping
3. Spade Edge Hand Fist