A Five Family System
Kung Fu San Soo is synonymous with the Five-Family art of Tsoi Li Hoi Fut Hung Ga. The names of these families represent systems that were incorporated during the time the art was developed to make it what it is today. Though there is no easy way of telling how much the art has changed since it’s inception, the Five Families point to many of the concepts encompassed by the art. Truly, when combined, the Five Arts give the art a versatility that has led many to dub San Soo as an “original mixed martial art.”
Today, the Five Families refer to basic concepts that pertain to the Art. Again, there is limited evidence to show what some of the original arts were like, but today the art’s concepts are explained by the families. Generally, the first three families are considered the "Fighting Families" due to their encompassing techniques. The last two families are based more on strategy and conditioning. What follows is this author's interpretation of the Five Families.
TSOI—The Family of Striking
Tsoi Ga emphasizes striking. This includes long range and short range strikes, encompassing strikes dealt by any variety of surfaces, including but not limited to fists, feet, elbows, and knees. A majority of the techniques learned at the start of learning San Soo pertain to Tsoi Ga.
LI—The Family of Leverages, Locks, and Throws
Li Ga emphasizes the manipulation of the skeletal frame. This includes leverages and locks to disable and disfigure tendons, joins, and ligaments. It also includes the use of leverage to throw an opponent. A few techniques from Li Ga are included early on, and a new student will learn several concepts of Li Ga to improve their overall ability to defend themselves. However, the majority of Li Ga’s techniques are not learned until a student has received a yellow belt (generally 3 to 6 months of training).
HOI—The Family of Accuracy
Hoi Ga emphasizes precise targeting. At it’s most elaborate, this includes strikes to pressure points, nerves, and internal organs. At the level of the initiate, this section of the art lies in the teaching of easily affected targets. The combination of Tsoi Ga, a strike, to Hoi Ga, a precise target, allows the practitioner to multiply the effect of their efforts. Targeting is a vital part of the art, and Hoi Ga is the family of the art that embodies this concept.
FUT—The Family of Mind
Fut Ga emphasizes mindset. The strategy of the art is in its mindset, and this is one of the most devastating aspects of the art. It is also one of the most abstract. To a beginning student, the strategy of survival is instilled. Students learn to be dangerous in taking the fight to the opponent, countering an attack with unexpected aggression, leading to an “element of surprise.” The spirit of Fut Ga lies in mastering one’s own mental balance and overwhelming that of the opponent. This is done by attacking the most vulnerable targets, not always with the intention of knocking out an attacker, but sometimes simply to disable their ability to continue the fight. A San Soo practitioner is not limited by set rules or set patterns, there are no forbidden targets, only those targets that can be attacked to get the practitioner out of harm's way as depending upon the situation. Significantly, Fut Ga prizes spontaneity, the ability to change course on a whim, again, to deal with unexpected circumstances and be adaptable while taking the fight to the foe. Without Fut Ga, this art would merely be a set of techniques. Indeed, to be San Soo, the techniques of the art must be applied within the concepts and spirit of Fut Ga. As a result, the art is very effective and must be used responsibly.
HUNG—The Family of Power
Hung Ga emphasizes the proper alignment of the body. It is the unity of the mind and body as one to turn the body into a living weapon. If Fut Ga is the general, then Hung Ga is the army. Hung Ga is what gives the practitioner of San Soo power. It is a combination of proper footwork, alignment, posture, breathing, self-awareness, balance, and movement. Over time, it is also the proper conditioning of the body for combat. Combined, the result is power. San Soo without Hung Ga is like an air gun. It may look dangerous, but it has little force. The development of Hung Gar begins at the stage of the initiate, when proper footwork, posture, and transitions are introduced. This is the most crucial moment. It lays the foundation for the greatest of students. Hung Ga is the power of San Soo.
