Wu Shu:

Wushu (武術), or more accurately “Modern Wushu”, is a form of contemporary Chinese martial arts that combines martial arts moves with elements of performance. Movements in wushu are executed with explosive power and speed punctuated with sudden stops. The wushu practitioner must combine all three elements of speed, flexibility and power with flawless technique, fierce intent and effortless execution.

Modern wushu encompasses a wide variety of Chinese martial arts styles, which can be categorized in several ways. In one such categorization, wushu is divided into bare hand and weapon styles, where the various wushu weapons are classified into long range, short range, flexible, and double weapons. In another categorization, wushu styles are categorized by the martial arts system which gave rise to them. For example, the southern martial arts system includes bare hand, broad sword,and staff styles. Staff styles, on the other hand, have been created by the northern, southern, and even drunken fighting systems.

Northern Styles

Southern Styles

Hand Forms

长拳
Chang Quan
LongFist

南拳
Nan Quan
Southern Fist

Short Weapons

刀術
Dao Shu
Broadsword

南刀
NanDao
Southern Sword

劍術
Jian Shu
Straight Sword

Long Weapons

棍術
Gun Shu
Staff

南棍
Nan Gun
Southern Staff

槍術
Qiang Shu
Spear

Long Fist:

Long Fist (长拳, literally "Chángquán") is a general term for external (as opposed to internal) Northern Wushu. It is one of the types of Wushu kung fu. The forms within the Long Fist style emphasize fully extended kicks and striking techniques, and by its appearance would be considered a long range fighting system. In some Long Fist styles the motto is that "the best defense is a strong offense," in which case the practitioner launches a pre-emptive attack so aggressive that the opponent doesn't have the opportunity to attack. Long Fist uses large, extended, circular movements to improve overall body mobility in the muscles, tendons, and joints. After advanced study, a Long Fist practitioner will find that its forms contain Qin Na joint-locking techniques, as well as Shuai Jiao throws and takedowns.

The Long Fist style is considered to contain a good balance of hand and foot techniques, but in particular it is renowned for its impressive acrobatic kicks. Of contemporary wushu events, Long Fist techniques are most popular and memorable with its whirling, running, leaping, and acrobatics. Chang quan moves are difficult to perform, requiring great flexibility and athleticism comparable to gymnasts. Long Fist’s arsenal of kicks covers everything from a basic front toe-kick to a jumping back-kick, from a low sweep to a tornado-kick. Specifically, typical moves in modern Changquan include: xuanfengjiao (旋风脚; "whirlwind kick"), xuanzi (旋子; "butterfly jump"), cekongfan (侧空翻; "side somersault"), and tengkongfeijiao (腾空飞脚; "flying jump kick").