Kung fu is composed of a large number of systems designed either for fighting, dance, or health. There are several hundred styles of kung fu, most developed around a central approach to a specific subject. Some systems emphasize strenuous kicking and punching, while others stress more subtle techniques. Some examples of the various types of kung fu are crane style, drunken style, eagle claw, hop gar, and the poison finger technique(dim mak). Kung fu is catagorized into three main types: for fighting, for show, and for health. But, these three main types can be further classified into more complex systems, such as geogrgaphical origin, religious tenets, or technical genre.

Forms of Kung Fu

Crane Style (also white crane): Based on the movements of the crane and the ape, it utilizes a one-legged stance. Crane is a combination of short and long hand techniques. As a rule, these techniques are supposed to apply pressure to nerves and pressure points.

Drunken Style: It is patterned after the movements of a stumbling drunkard. The movements appear wild and illogical, but all the while the practicioner is in control. He/she wobbles unsteadily and falls to the ground, where upon they lash out with hand and foot techniques. Popularized by the movie Drunken Master, starring Jackie Chan.

Hop Gar: Hop gar became the official martial arts system of the Manchu Emperor and his guards. It is a style for fighting, not exercise or dancing. The "lion roar" system consists of eight fists, eight kicks, eight steps, eight fingers, and eight grips. It is made up of four main subdivisions: white crane, wei-t'ol, ta-mo, and law-horn.

Dim Mak (also poison finger technique): According to kung-fu legend one is able to kill an opponent by the touch of a finger on a certain part of the body. Many of the techinues are supposed to cause delayed death.