31. Horse Stance Right Punch Downwards
(Xia Hu Shan - Tiger Descends the Mountain)
① Left toes turn outward. Right foot steps westward, forming a Horse Stance . Body turns 180° left-rear. Left hand changes to a palm and moves upward toward the chest, then arcs to the front of the right shoulder, elbow bent, palm facing right. Right hand changes to a fist, rises above the head, then strikes downward to the胯 (hip area), focusing power on the fist face, palm facing right. Eyes watch the left palm (Fig 33).
Key Point: Turning and downward striking actions must be coordinated.
32. Horse Stance Left Blocking Fist
(Shen Bian Chui - Beside the Hammer)
Stance remains unchanged, but center of gravity slightly rises. Left arm rotates outward (waixuan ). Left palm changes to a fist and drops, passing in front of the abdomen, then arcs upward to block, left elbow slightly bent, fist height level with the shoulder, palm facing up. Right fist arcs forward, upward, then leftward, passing in front of the abdomen, and draws back to rest near the right waist, palm facing up. Eyes watch the left fist (Fig 34).
Key Point: Left and right blocking actions must be quick and decisive.
33. Double Bow Stance Right Blocking Fist
(Hu Zheng Shen - Tiger Struggles to Upright Its Body)
Right foot steps southward into a Double Bow Stance . Right fist arcs from the waist, passing in front of the abdomen, then leftward, upward, and rightward to block, right elbow slightly bent, fist height level with the shoulder, palm facing up. Left fist arcs rightward, downward, and back to rest near the left waist, palm facing inward. Eyes watch the right fist (Fig 35).
Key Point: Stepping forward and blocking must be swift, with a springy, explosive power.
34. Double Bow Stance Left Intercepting Palm
(Hu Tuan Zhao - Tiger Probes the Claws)
Left foot steps forward into a Double Bow Stance . Left hand changes to a Tiger Claw Palm and arcs outward, upward, forward, then inward to intercept, left elbow slightly bent, left palm height level with the shoulder, palm facing right. Right fist bends the elbow and draws back to rest near the right waist, palm facing up. Eyes watch the left palm (Fig 36).
Key Point: Stepping forward with the left foot and intercepting with the left palm must be simultaneous.
35. Double Bow Stance Right Uppercut Fist
(Fu Cao E Hu -伏草饿虎 - Hungry Tiger Hiding in Grass)
Right foot steps forward with a large step into a Double Bow Stance , body slightly turning left. Right fist arcs downward from the right waist, then forward and downward to strike, focusing power on the fist eye (knuckles), right elbow slightly bent, right fist height level with the waist, fist eye facing up. Left fist draws back to rest near the left waist, palm facing up. Eyes watch the right fist (Fig 37).
Key Point: Stepping forward with the right foot and the right uppercut must be swift and explosive.
36. Empty Stance Rear Swinging Fist
(Hu Wei Chui - Tiger Tail Hammer)
Right foot steps backward, center of gravity shifts backward, left leg bends and半蹲 (half-squat) into a Left Empty Stance . Right fist swings backward along the right胯 (hip area), striking with the back of the fist , palm facing forward. Left Tiger Claw Palm rises from the waist to the front of the left forehead, palm facing forward, fingers pointing right. Eyes look forward (Fig 38).
Key Point: The backward swing of the right fist and the upward block of the left palm must be executed in one smooth motion.
Final Movements (Bowing and Closing Sequence):
① Right foot steps back, shifting weight to the right. Both legs bend into a Horse Stance , center of gravity slightly raised. Both hands change to palms and outwardly swing downward, using the radius side (thumb side) as the impact point , elbows slightly bent, palms stopping at shoulder height, both palms facing slightly backward and upward. Eyes look forward (Fig 40①).
② Stance remains unchanged. Elbows spread outward. Palms swing downward and forward, using the ulnar side (little finger side) as the impact point , shoulders slightly lowered, palms facing backward. Eyes watch the palms (Fig 40②).
③ Right foot steps forward to meet the left foot, standing upright. Both arms straighten and rest along the sides of the legs. Eyes look forward (Fig 40③).
