2003 Sanshou World Cup Highlight

This is Sanshou, what I am officially coaching the club in. It is kungfu full contact fighting. The rules are full contact punching, kicking and throwing allowed. No Knees, no elbows and no groundfighting. Sanshou is normally used to refer to the amateur format. The professional format is usually called Sanda. Sanda differs in that knees to the body are allowed and only boxing gloves are worn.

Sanshou is an amateur sport and the rules reflect that. It is a points based system based on successful technique. A punch is 1 point, a low kick is 1 point, body/ head kick is 2 points, a throw is 1 point, a throw where the thrower stays standing is 2 points. A successful technique must be clearly successful so often a flurry of punches or kicks, or a good close range body punch will not be counted even if it hurt the opponent. Very different to Muay Thai where it is based on a 10 point system and on aggression, power and offence.