Shaolin Bird
Lin Niao
Shaolin Bird style is one of the older
fighting styles, being derived from the very old Lo Han style by way of the
later China Hand style that seems to form the basis of much of the familiar
Korean and Okinawan styles. (Many of the movements in Okinawan karate and such
styles as Tang Soo Do closely resemble movements in China Hand and Shaolin Bird
styles).
In
Shaolin Bird style the hard, linear strikes and kicks of Lo-Han and China Hand
first begin to acquire some of the circularity and fluidity that is
characteristic of many later Chinese styles.
The
strategic assumption is Shaolin Bird style is that the opponent is larger and
stronger. The Bird stylist compensates by leaping in to deliver a flurry of
strikes, and then leaping back out of range; or, again, by goading the opponent
into a charge and sidestepping while striking. Bird style relies on quick
transitions between low and high attacks and stances, sudden reversals of
direction, long-range jumps to cover ground quickly, and well-developed stamina.
Bird forms emphasize elbows and finger thrusts to soft targets.