三十六路腿法 (Sān Shí Liù Lù Tuǐ Fǎ)
36 Kicking Methods of Sanfengpai Wudang Lineage [1]
Note:
The naming of movements often uses “leg” or “foot”. The noun referring to the body part that performs the action also refers to the action. This is common in Chinese martial art terminology; the verb used as a noun (punch, kick, brush, cut), and the body part that performs the action (fist, leg, palm, knee), are used interchangeably.
Some descriptions of the movement incorporate the direction or position (正踢腿 “straight/front kick”, 里合腿 “inward closing leg”), physical form (sometimes with metaphor or symbolizing objects, such as lotus), or characteristics of the use of power (彈腿 “spring/snapping leg”). Also common is naming with the intention or target location (通肋 “penetrating ribs”, 窩心 “solar plexus/chest center”, 破膝 “breaking knee”) of the kick as an adverb.
Techniques:
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正踢腿 (Zhèng Tī Tuǐ) - Front leg swing
- A direct forward kick where the leg swings straight ahead, targeting the opponent’s midsection.
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斜踢腿 (Xié Tī Tuǐ) - Diagonal leg swing
- A kick delivered at an angle rather than straight ahead, useful for reaching around guards or striking from unexpected angles.
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側踢腿 (Cè Tī Tuǐ) - Lateral leg swing
- A sideways kick where the leg moves laterally across the body, often targeting the opponent’s side.
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里合腿 (Lǐ Hé Tuǐ) - Inward closing leg
- A kick where the leg swings inward toward the centerline of the body, closing the distance between legs.
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外擺腿 (Wài Bǎi Tuǐ) - Outward swing
- A kick where the leg swings outward away from the centerline, often used to strike the outer portions of an opponent’s body.
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窩心腿 (Wō Xīn Tuǐ) - Heart-shock leg
- A kick targeting the solar plexus or center of the chest, designed to shock or stun the opponent by affecting breathing.
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破膝腿 (Pò Xī Tuǐ) - Breaking-knee leg
- A low kick specifically targeting the opponent’s knee joint with the intention of damaging or disabling it.
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破心腿 (Pò Xīn Tuǐ) - Breaking heart leg
- A powerful kick aimed at the center of the chest or heart area, designed to cause maximum impact to vital areas.
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通肋腿 (Tōng Lè Tuǐ) - Penetrating-ribs leg
- A kick targeting the rib cage with a penetrating quality, designed to reach between or damage the ribs.
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小蹺腿 (Xiǎo Qiāo Tuǐ) - Low-raise leg
- A subtle lifting kick, typically executed low to target vulnerable areas below the waist.
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彈腿 (Tàn Tuǐ) - Spring leg
- A kick with explosive, spring-like quality where power is generated through quick release, like a whip or spring.
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邊腿 (Biān Tuǐ) - Side leg
- A kick delivered from the side position, often using the edge of the foot as the striking surface.
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側通腿 (Cè Tōng Tuǐ) - Lateral penetrating leg
- A sideways kick with a penetrating quality, designed to break through the opponent’s guard or defense.
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反腿 (Fǎn Tuǐ) - Reverse leg
- A kick where the direction is reversed mid-execution, often used to confuse or surprise the opponent.
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轉身腿 (Zhuǎn Shēn Tuǐ) - Face about leg
- A kick performed while turning the body, using the momentum of the spin to generate power.
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踩腳 (Cǎi Jiǎo) - Tap foot
- A stamping or tapping kick typically targeting the opponent’s foot or ankle.
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下劈腿 (Xià Pī Tuǐ) - Downward hack leg
- A kick that moves in a downward chopping motion, using gravity to enhance force.
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尖子腳 (Jiān Zi Jiǎo) - Sharp point foot
- A kick that uses the point of the foot (often the toe) as the striking surface to target small, vulnerable areas.
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掃腿 (Sǎo Tuǐ) - Sweeping leg
- A low sweeping kick designed to unbalance the opponent by targeting their supporting leg.
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破膝通肋 (Pò Xī Tōng Lè) - Break knee – Penetrate ribs
- A combination technique that targets first the knee and then follows through to the ribs in one fluid motion.
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窩心通肋 (Wō Xīn Tōng Lè) - Heart shock – Penetrate ribs
- A combination technique striking first at the solar plexus and then continuing to penetrate toward the ribs.
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里合通肋 (Lǐ Hé Tōng Lè) - Inward swing – Penetrate ribs
- A kick that begins with an inward motion and then redirects to penetrate toward the opponent’s ribs.
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窩心後通 (Wō Xīn Hòu Tōng) - Heart shock – Backward penetrate
- A combination technique that strikes the solar plexus and then penetrates backward, possibly using the heel.
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里合小蹺 (Lǐ Hé Xiǎo Qiāo) - Inward swing – Low raise
- A kick that combines an inward swinging motion followed by a small upward raising action.
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里合反腿 (Lǐ Hé Fǎn Tuǐ) - Inward swing – Reverse leg
- A technique that begins with an inward swing but then reverses direction to catch the opponent off guard.
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前踢後撩 (Qián Tī Hòu Liāo) - Front kick – Back raise
- A combination of a forward kick followed immediately by a backward raising kick, often using the same leg.
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掛面轉身後蹬腿 (Guà Miàn Zhuǎn Shēn Hòu Dēng Tuǐ) - Swipe face – turn body and backward treading leg
- A complex technique that begins with a face-level strike, then turns the body to deliver a rear thrusting kick.
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低高邊腿 (Dī Gāo Biān Tuǐ) - Low-high side leg
- A side kick that can be executed at either low or high levels, or as a feint that changes from low to high.
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窩心反腿 (Wō Xīn Fǎn Tuǐ) - Heart shock – reverse leg
- A combination of a solar plexus strike followed by a reversing leg action to attack from an unexpected angle.
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躍步通肋 (Yuè Bù Tōng Lè) - Leaping penetrating ribs leg
- A jumping kick that targets the opponent’s ribs with a penetrating quality, gaining power from the leap.
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二起腳 (Èr Qǐ Jiǎo) - Double raising kick
- A technique where both feet leave the ground in succession, delivering two upward kicks in quick sequence.
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跺子腳 (Duò Zi Jiǎo) - Stomp leg
- A powerful stamping kick, often targeting the opponent’s foot, knee, or lower leg.
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玄功腿 (Xuán Gōng Tuǐ) - Xuan-power leg
- A specialized kick utilizing “Xuan” power principles, often with circular or spiraling energy.
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旋風腿 (Xuàn Fēng Tuǐ) - Hurricane leg
- A spinning kick that generates power like a hurricane, potentially striking multiple times in one rotation.
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騰空外擺蓮 (Téng Kōng Wài Bǎi Lián) - Airborne outward swing lotus
- An acrobatic jumping kick where the leg swings outward in a circular motion resembling a lotus flower.
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騰空側蹬（飛腿） (Téng Kōng Cè Dēng (Fēi Tuǐ)) - Airborne lateral treading kick (flying leg)
- A jumping side kick where the body becomes airborne before delivering a powerful lateral thrusting kick.
Example playlist including all kicks:
The 36 Kicking Methods of Sanfengpai are a set of kicking techniques within the Wudang martial arts lineage. These techniques range from basic front kicks (正踢腿) to more complex, acrobatic maneuvers like the “Airborne outward swing lotus” (騰空外擺蓮). The names often describe the motion of the leg, the intended target, or the desired effect, such as the “Heart-shock leg” (窩心腿) aimed at the solar plexus. Some techniques combine multiple actions, like the “Break knee – Penetrate ribs” (破膝通肋). Understanding the Chinese terminology provides insight into the purpose and execution of each kick. (Explanation by AI) ↩︎