Sanshou (which means “free hand”) is a Chinese hand to hand combat, self-defense system, and combat sport.  It is the practice of martial applications in a realistic environment, or “simply free fighting”.

As an unarmed self-defense, close combat system, Sanshou includes ti (kicks), da (punches), shuai (Shuai Jiao), and na (Chin Na). Sanshou as a sport has a very great emphasis on throws. One of its most distinguished techniques is the “kick catch”. This is when one person kicks and the person performing the throw catches the kick and then trips the person kicking when he’s on one leg.

Sanshou is composed of Chinese martial arts applications including aspects of combat such as striking and grappling.  As a sport, San Shou is practiced in tournaments and is normally held alongside taolu events in wushu competition.  For safety reasons, some techniques from the self-defense form such as elbow strikes, chokes, and joint locks, are not allowed during tournaments.  Competitors can win by knockout or points which are earned by landing strikes to the body or head, throwing an opponent, or when competition is held on a raised platform, pushing them off the platform.

Fighters are only allowed to clinch for a few seconds. If the clinch is not broken by the fighters, and if neither succeeds in throwing his opponent within the time limit, the referee will break the clinch.  There are no blows allowed to the back of the head, spine or groin.   Combat pauses when any of the fighters fall to the ground.

In the US, competitions are held either in boxing rings or on a raised platform (called lei tai). Amateur fighters are required to wear protective gear and are allowed to kick, punch and throw their opponent.   Knees to the body are also sometimes permitted.   Professional Sanshou fighters are only required to wear gloves, a cup and mouthpiece.

Many Sanshou fighters have participated in organizations such as K-1 and Shoot boxing.  Although Sanshou fighters have more limitations than usual in these organizations, they have had great success. Cung Le (who won the Strikeforce middleweight title) is perhaps one of the most well-known Sanshou fighters of today.  Other notable fighters include Jason Yee, Patrick Barry, James Fanshier and KJ Noons.