splashing Hands
Welcome to Splashing Hands Kung Fu: The Zan Shou Quan System
The Splashing Hand system of Kung Fu, also known as Zan Shou Quan, is a legendary martial art with deep historical roots and powerful practical applications. Said to have been introduced around 495 A.D. by Bodhidharma, some traditions claim the system predates that era or was further refined around the 700s. Regardless of the exact origin, this dynamic and effective fighting method was used to guard the Shaolin Temple from its earliest days—handpicked for its no-nonsense, real-world combat effectiveness.
Unlike many traditional Shaolin systems, which often require years of meditation and conditioning before learning to fight, Splashing Hands was designed to be learned quickly. Its basics are accessible, enabling practitioners to become combat-ready fast, with deeper internal principles revealed through continued training. In times of war, raids, and unrest, this made Splashing Hands ideal for preparing elite temple guards swiftly and effectively.
Some stories even suggest that if Bodhidharma brought the system from India, its roots may trace back to Indian martial arts. Interestingly, it shares noticeable similarities in philosophy and movement with Indian systems like Kali, rather than the more fluid, Taoist-influenced Chinese styles that developed later.
Due to its effectiveness and power, Splashing Hands was passed down only to a select few in each generation, often kept hidden in secrecy. Many practitioners concealed their knowledge to preserve the system’s integrity. It wasn’t until the 1940s that the system re-emerged, when a Taiwanese general taught it to Haumea “Tiny” Lefiti, a Hawaiian martial artist. Lefiti later trained under Ark Yuey Wong, who had also inherited knowledge of the system, supported by a letter of introduction from the general himself. Lefiti would eventually teach his brother Tino, and the two went on to develop Lima Lama, a hybrid system that continues to this day—carrying with it many roots of Splashing Hands.
A System Built for Real-World Combat
Splashing Hands is a straightforward, high-speed fighting system built around the principle that a real fight should last no longer than 30 seconds. Every block, strike, and movement is designed to be explosive, efficient, and effective. It teaches you to strike first, recognizing danger as it emerges and ending it before it escalates.
Using a unique blend of rapid-fire punches, knees, elbows, and dynamic kicks—alongside its signature power-generating shuffle footwork—Splashing Hands more closely resembles a combat boxing system than the more aesthetic styles often associated with Kung Fu. Yet it remains deeply rooted in traditional wisdom.
In today’s world, self-defense is vital—but so is personal growth. Splashing Hands also offers a rich philosophical foundation, teaching lessons about the self, the universe, and the inner workings of the human body and mind. It will not only transform your ability to defend yourself but will also elevate your physical fitness, deepen your understanding of internal mechanics, and unlock spiritual insight.
The Legacy School of Martial Arts – A Modern Approach to an Ancient Art
This online course is offered by the Legacy School of Martial Arts, the most comprehensive and accessible Splashing Hands program available today. Our goal is to preserve the traditional teachings while bringing them into the modern world, focusing on all three levels of the martial path:
Body – Physical fitness, real-world application, and internal mechanics
Mind – Strategy, awareness, and mental discipline
Spirit – Philosophy, energy cultivation, and self-discovery
Our structured syllabus reflects this threefold approach, while also making sure the system retains its original practical, street-ready effectiveness. This is Splashing Hands as it was likely intended—fast, adaptable, and deadly effective, but also profound, intelligent, and transformative.
Level 1 – white belt
Level 1 Basic blocks, strikes, basic movement drills,
Level 1 movements trained on bag, pads, two person drills. Applications
Basic free movement drills
Level 3 – Yellow Belt
All level 1 movements applied to the changing shuffle drills, round the square drills,
Previous levels movements applied to free move and sparing
Level 2 strikes, blocks, movement drills
Level 2 movements trained on bag, pads, two person drills. Applications
Forms – sections 1-10
Level 3– Blue Belt
All level 1- 2 movements applied to the splashing hands shuffle drill.
Previous levels movements applied to free move and sparing
Level 3 strikes, blocks, movement drills
Level 3 movements trained on bag, pads, two person drills. Applications
Forms – Browns 1-10
Level 4 – Green Belt
All Level 1 - 3 movements applied to the drop shuffle drills
Previous levels movements applied to free move and sparing
Level 4 strikes, blocks, movement drills
Level 4 movements trained on bag, pads, two person drills. Applications
Forms – The Four Corners + Browns 1-10 linked
Level 5 – Brown Belt
All level 1-4 movements applied to jump shuffle drills
Previous levels movements applied to free move and sparing
Level 5 strikes, blocks, movement drills
Level 5 movements trained on bag, pads, two person drills. Applications
Forms – Advanced Brown,
Level 6 – Black Belt.
All level 1-5 movements applied to 45-degree shuffle drills
Previous levels movements applied to free move and sparing
Level 6 strikes, blocks and movement drills
Level 6movements trained on bag, pads, two person drills. Applications
Forms – Advanced Browns linked, The Combination Form
Level 7 – First Degree Black Belt
All level 1-6 movements applied to 45-degree jump shuffle drills.
Previous levels movements applied to free move and sparing
Level 7 Strikes, blocks and movement drills
Level 7 movements trained on bag, pads, two person drills. Applications
Forms – The Short Cross
Splashing Hands Push Hands drills
Understanding the history of the cross and how it is applied to the body
Level 8 – Second Degree Black Belt
All Level 1-7 movements applied to 45-degree jumping drop shuffle drills movement drills
Previous levels movements applied to free move and sparing drills
Level 8 takedowns, throws, groundwork, grappling, and Chin Na techniques
Level 8 movements trained on bag, pads, two person drills. Applications
Forms – all forms applied to free movement drill
Understanding of how the cross is applied to an opponent’s body, and the understanding of the flow of force between two people.
Level 9 – Third Degree Black Belt
All level 1-8 movements applied to Butterfly techniques
Previous levels movements applied to free move and sparing
Level 9 strikes, blocks, movement drills.
Level 9 movements trained on bag, pads, two person drills. Applications
Forms – Butterfly
The understanding of the cross applied to the outside world, How the cross is linked to the eight and the I Ching
Level 10 – Fourth Degree Black Belt
All level 1-9 movments applied to Dragon techniques
Previous levels movements applied to free move and sparing
Level 10 strikes, blocks, movement drills.
Level 10 movements trained on bag, pads, two person drills. Applications
Forms – Dragon
Understanding of the Cross on a universal level and its connections with the five elements and energy
Level 11 – Fifth Degree Black Belt
All level 1-10 movements applied to Tiger techniques
Previous levels movements applied to free move and sparing
Level 11 strikes, blocks, movement drills
Level 11 movements trained on bag, pads, two person drills. Applications
Forms – Tiger
The understanding of the cross within the levels of the conscious mind and how this can be used to develop one’s own thoughts.
Level 12 – Sixth Degree Black Belt
All levels 1-11 movements applied to Snake techniques.
Previous levels movements applied to free move and sparing
Level 12 strikes, blocks, movement drills
Level 13 movements trained on bag, pads, two person drills. Applications
Forms – Snake
Understanding of the cross on the higher levels of consciousness and reality to open the third eye and reach the first stages of enlightenment.
Level 13 – Seventh Degree Black Belt
All levels 1-12 movements applied to Crane techniques
Previous levels movements applied to free move and sparing
Level 13 strikes, blocks, movement drills
Level 13 movements trained on bag, pads, two person drills. Applications
Forms – Crane
Understanding the cross on the highest level, the structure of the higher realities and the world mind.
Level 14 – Eighth Degree Black Belt
All Levels 1-13 movements applied to free move drills
Previous levels movements applied to free move and sparing
Forms – Butterfly, Dragon, Tiger, Sake, Crane linked
Understanding of the cross without limit, deep further instruction on the I Ching and the Five elements within the previous levels of study
Level 15 – Ninth Degree Black Belt
Teacher qualification in post black belt levels.
Level 16 – Tenth Degree Black Belt
Teacher qualification to be able to train other teachers.