SANSHOU

The word San Shou also spelled Sanda translates as "unbound hand". It refers to sparring where the rules are designed to most accurately simulate actual combat. San Shou matches are fought on raised platforms called "Lei Tai". The Lei Tai dates back centuries in China where Challenge matches were fought both bare handed and also with weapons.

Modern San Shou became a sport in the 1960's. Many of China's great Masters organized the huge heritage of Chinese Martial Arts into a system of fighting in which different styles could be used at all levels. This is also when the use of safety equipment was added.

The rules of San Shou allow for a wide array of punching, kicking, throws and take downs derived from the application of Chinese Martial Arts. San Shou allows for three ranges of fighting - kicking punching and grappling which makes this type of sparring very realistic.

San shou can be very involved and should not be confused with the more common kick boxing.