Eagle Claw Kung Fu (Ying Zhao Fan Zi)

by Master Nick Scrima

Ying Zhao Fan Zi, commonly known as Eagle Claw Kung Fu, is a famous and powerful Northern Chinese martial arts method whose origins are credited to General Yue Fei of the Southern Song Dynasty (AD 1128 – 1180).

General Yue Fei was a brilliant fighter, superior strategist, and a great hero in the annals of Chinese history. Popular legend tells us that he taught his soldiers 108 techniques, which became known as 108 Eagle Claw Locking Hands (Yi Bai Ling Ba Qin Na). After Yue Fei’s death, his art was dispersed with the soldiers he trained.

A monk named Li Quan was a great master of Fan Zi Quan (Tumbling or Overturning Fist). He learned Eagle Claw and incorporated the jumping, kicking, and tumbling of Fan Zi Quan with the powerful locking techniques of Eagle Claw, creating a more powerful and complete fighting system known as Ying Zhao Fan Zi (also written as Fan Tzi Ying Jow Pai and Ying Jow Fan Zi Men).

The Eagle Claw system was popular in Baoding City but remained relatively restricted to the Xiong County area of Hebei Province. It was not until the famous Chen Zizheng (Chan Tzi Ching in Cantonese) was invited to teach at the Jing Wu Association in Shanghai that Ying Zhao Fan Zi received widespread recognition and later spread to Hong Kong and other parts of Southeast China.

This style of Kung Fu is famous for its Qinna (Joint Locks) and its pressure point attacking skills. Throwing, tripping, and sweeping techniques make this a formidable fighting art at close range. The style also contains a variety of long-range fighting techniques.

Eagle Claw Kung Fu fighting strategy is built on and refined through the Five Methods, and the Seven Fighting Principles.

The Five Methods

The Eyes – The eyes should be sharp and piercing
The Mind – The mind should be calm and alert
The Hands – The hands should be supple and fast changing
The Footwork – The footwork should be agile and quick
The Bodywork – The bodywork should be flexible and coordinated

The Seven Fighting Principles

Zhua Da – Qin Na (Grab and strike – Seize and control)
Fen Jin – Zuo Gu (Separate the tendons – Break the bones)
Dien Bi – Qi Shue (Seal the veins – Stop the air and blood flow)
Zhao Nie – Shiao Fung (Claw and press – Block and redirect)
Shan Zhuan – Tong Nuo (Evade by turning – Jump away to avoid)
Diao Cau – Reng Luo (Attack by pressing – Brush off and push)
Nei Shou – Zung Die (Yield the hand – Fall away smoothly)

The Weapons

Northern Eagle Claw Kung Fu incorporates many weapons in its curriculum. These are generally categorized as Long Weapons, Short Weapons, Double Weapons, and Flexible Weapons.

Long Weapons: The long weapons include the staff, the spear, the double-headed spear, and the Guan Dao. Eagle Claw is famous for its spear techniques and the double-headed spear work.

Short Weapons: The short weapons include the stick, the saber, and the straight sword. The fan, although not usually categorized as a short weapon, is also taught.

Double Weapons: The double weapons include the double sabers, the double hooks, the double straight swords, and the double daggers.

Flexible Weapons: The flexible weapons include the chain whip and the three-sectional staff.

Nei Gong/Qi Gong

The Ying Zhao Fan Zi system incorporates specialized training methods to develop and strengthen its main anatomical weapon, which is the Eagle Claw. Nei Gong (internal training), which entails various breathing exercises, is also an essential aspect of the art.

My journey continues

I have been training in Eagle Claw Kung Fu since the early 1980s and continue to this day. My introduction to the style was with Master Benson Lee. My most extensive training has been with Grandmaster Leung Shum, who learned the system from Wu Hui Nong (Ng Wai Nung). Grandmaster Shum’s school is known as Ying Jow Pai.