The Wudang kicking system comprises 36 techniques organized into three categories: 19 fundamental kicks, 11 combination techniques, and 6 advanced or acrobatic kicks. These techniques appear throughout the Sānfēngpài (三丰派) forms — from Jīběnquán (基本拳) to Xuánwǔquán (玄武拳) — and are trained both as isolated drills and within form sequences.

Unlike many external systems that emphasize high, showy kicks, Wudang leg techniques prioritize penetrating power, precise targeting, and fluid transitions between Yīn (yielding) and Yáng (explosive) expression. Many kicks target joints, ribs, and vital points rather than broad surface areas.

Fundamental Kicks (基础腿法)

These 19 techniques form the core vocabulary of Wudang leg work. Each can be practiced independently or integrated into any form.

Directional Kicks

• Zhèng Tī Tuǐ (正踢腿) — Front Leg Swing. A direct forward swing targeting the midsection. The most basic and frequently drilled kick.

• Xié Tī Tuǐ (斜踢腿) — Diagonal Leg Swing. Delivered at an angle rather than straight ahead, useful for reaching around guards or striking from unexpected lines.

• Cè Tī Tuǐ (側踢腿) — Lateral Leg Swing. A sideways kick moving laterally across the body, targeting the opponent's flank.

• Biān Tuǐ (邊腿) — Side Leg. Delivered from a side position using the edge of the foot as the striking surface.

Circular and Sweeping Kicks

• Lǐ Hé Tuǐ (里合腿) — Inward Closing Leg. The leg swings inward toward the centerline, closing distance between the legs. A key building block for many combination techniques.

• Wài Bǎi Tuǐ (外擺腿) — Outward Swing. The leg swings outward away from the centerline, targeting the outer portions of the opponent's body.

• Sǎo Tuǐ (掃腿) — Sweeping Leg. A low sweep designed to unbalance the opponent by targeting their supporting leg.

• Zhuǎn Shēn Tuǐ (轉身腿) — Face-About Leg. Performed while turning the body, using rotational momentum to generate power.

Targeting Kicks

• Wō Xīn Tuǐ (窩心腿) — Heart-Shock Leg. Targets the solar plexus or center of the chest to shock the opponent and disrupt breathing.

• Pò Xī Tuǐ (破膝腿) — Breaking-Knee Leg. A low kick targeting the knee joint to disable the opponent's structure.

• Pò Xīn Tuǐ (破心腿) — Breaking-Heart Leg. A powerful kick aimed at the center of the chest or heart area for maximum impact to vital areas.

• Tōng Lè Tuǐ (通肋腿) — Penetrating-Ribs Leg. Targets the rib cage with a penetrating quality designed to reach between or damage the ribs.

• Cè Tōng Tuǐ (側通腿) — Lateral Penetrating Leg. A sideways kick with penetrating force designed to break through the opponent's guard.

Specialized Kicks

• Xiǎo Qiāo Tuǐ (小蹺腿) — Low-Raise Leg. A subtle lifting kick targeting vulnerable areas below the waist.

• Tán Tuǐ (彈腿) — Spring Leg. Power is generated through quick release, like a whip or coiled spring. Explosive and fast.

• Fǎn Tuǐ (反腿) — Reverse Leg. Direction reverses mid-execution to confuse or surprise the opponent.

• Cǎi Jiǎo (踩腳) — Tap Foot. A stamping or tapping kick targeting the opponent's foot or ankle.

• Xià Pī Tuǐ (下劈腿) — Downward Hack Leg. A chopping downward motion using gravity to enhance force.

• Jiān Zi Jiǎo (尖子腳) — Sharp-Point Foot. Uses the tip of the foot to target small, vulnerable areas with precision.

Combination Techniques (组合腿法)

These 11 techniques chain two actions into one fluid motion. They are the practical bridge between isolated kicks and form application — each combination teaches the principle of continuous attack across multiple targets.

• Pò Xī Tōng Lè (破膝通肋) — Break Knee, Penetrate Ribs. Strikes the knee first, then follows through to the ribs in one motion. Low-to-high attack chain.

• Wō Xīn Tōng Lè (窩心通肋) — Heart Shock, Penetrate Ribs. Strikes the solar plexus first, then continues to penetrate toward the ribs.

• Lǐ Hé Tōng Lè (里合通肋) — Inward Swing, Penetrate Ribs. Begins with an inward closing motion that redirects into a rib-penetrating strike.

• Wō Xīn Hòu Tōng (窩心後通) — Heart Shock, Backward Penetrate. Strikes the solar plexus and then penetrates backward, potentially using the heel.

• Lǐ Hé Xiǎo Qiāo (里合小蹺) — Inward Swing, Low Raise. Combines an inward swinging motion followed by a small upward lifting action.

• Lǐ Hé Fǎn Tuǐ (里合反腿) — Inward Swing, Reverse Leg. Begins with an inward swing then reverses direction to catch the opponent off guard.

• Qián Tī Hòu Liāo (前踢後撩) — Front Kick, Back Raise. A forward kick followed immediately by a backward raising kick, often using the same leg.

• Guà Miàn Zhuǎn Shēn Hòu Dēng Tuǐ (掛面轉身後蹬腿) — Swipe Face, Turn Body, Backward Treading Leg. A complex sequence: face-level strike, body turn, then a rear thrusting kick. One of the most advanced combinations.

• Dī Gāo Biān Tuǐ (低高邊腿) — Low-High Side Leg. A side kick that changes level — either executed at different heights or used as a low feint that shifts high.

• Wō Xīn Fǎn Tuǐ (窩心反腿) — Heart Shock, Reverse Leg. Solar plexus strike followed by a reversing leg action to attack from an unexpected angle.

• Yuè Bù Tōng Lè (躍步通肋) — Leaping Penetrating-Ribs Leg. A jumping kick targeting the ribs, gaining additional power from the leap.

Advanced and Acrobatic Kicks (高级腿法)

These 6 techniques require significant athletic ability and are typically introduced after the fundamental and combination kicks are well established.

• Èr Qǐ Jiǎo (二起腳) — Double Raising Kick. Both feet leave the ground in succession, delivering two upward kicks in rapid sequence.

• Duò Zi Jiǎo (跺子腳) — Stomp Leg. A powerful stamping kick targeting the opponent's foot, knee, or lower leg with downward force.

• Xuán Gōng Tuǐ (玄功腿) — Xuán-Power Leg. A specialized kick utilizing Xuán (mysterious/circular) power principles with spiraling energy. Named after Xuángōng (玄功), the foundational training method of the Sānfēngpài system.

• Xuàn Fēng Tuǐ (旋風腿) — Hurricane Leg. A spinning kick generating rotational power, potentially striking multiple times in a single rotation.

• Téng Kōng Wài Bǎi Lián (騰空外擺蓮) — Airborne Outward Lotus Swing. An acrobatic jumping kick where the leg swings outward in a circular motion resembling a lotus flower opening.

• Téng Kōng Cè Dēng (騰空側蹬) — Airborne Lateral Treading Kick. Also called Fēi Tuǐ (飛腿, Flying Leg). A jumping side kick where the body becomes fully airborne before delivering a powerful lateral thrust.

Training Principles

Wudang kicking follows the same Yīn-Yáng principles that govern all Sānfēngpài training. The leg remains relaxed and soft (Yīn) during the swing phase, with power released only at the moment of contact (Yáng). This mirrors the Fālì (发力) principle found in Xuánwǔquán and other Liǎng Yí stage forms.

The combination techniques teach an essential combat concept: continuous transformation between targets. Rather than single isolated strikes, the practitioner learns to flow from one attack to the next — low to high, front to back, inward to outward — maintaining pressure and denying the opponent recovery time.

Kicks are typically trained in three stages: stationary repetition for correct form and alignment, moving drills across the training floor for coordination with footwork, and integration within forms where timing and context determine application.

Key Terms

• Tuǐfǎ (腿法) — Leg methods; the kicking system
• Tī (踢) — To kick (general term)
• Dēng (蹬) — To tread or thrust with the foot
• Sǎo (掃) — To sweep
• Tōng (通) — To penetrate through
• Pò (破) — To break or destroy
• Tán (彈) — To spring or snap
• Liāo (撩) — To raise or lift (as in a back kick)
• Téng Kōng (騰空) — Airborne; to become airborne