Ha Say Fu Hung Kuen's "Fu Tid Jeung Gong" or Iron Tiger Palm training differs from the Shaolin Iron palm training. There are five strikes or hits instead of just the four like Shaolin's method and a Fu Jow (Tiger Claw) is used. Instead of swinging the arms to bring energy to the hands, "Sai Si Fong" a herbal soak is used and the hands are soaked in it for about 10 to 15 minutes before starting the training. Like Dit Da Jow, Sai Si Fong is used to treat the hands. The training drill also requires more body movement, using both the Say Ping Ma (Horse Stance) and the Gee Ng Ma (Bow & Arrow Stance). The training bags start with the weight being around 15 to 20 pounds and increase about 10 pounds each time the student advances.The bag is usually made out of canvas or heavy vinyl martial and is filled with, beans, popcorn seeds, or shot (do not use laid shot).
The five strikes or hits are; Open palm slapping with the inside of the hand (see 1 below), then a slap with the back of the hand (see 2 below), then the edge of the bottom of the hand (Chopping, see 3 below), a driving heel type strike pushing the bag upward (see 4 below), followed by a Tiger claw techniques drawing it back (see 5 below).
Strike 1
Strike 2
Strike 3
Strike 4
Strike 5
If possible a special table is used, witch can be adjusted to incline or decline. The bag travels up & down with the heel palm strike pushing it up & the Tiger Claw technique drawing it back. This type of training should be done gradually and with supervision. The hands can easily be damaged if overworked or perform incorrectly. Remember to take your time with this type of training, the Tiger Iron Palm is not developed overnight. Remember as a beginner student, don't take up all your valuable training time with this training. This is for more advanced students. Learn your Lin Gung (basics) first.
Once you have a good understanding of the basics as well as the sets Iron Tiger Palm training can begin.
First learn how to use the hands before specially conditioning them. First things first.