Jian Shou Chuan ‘Splashing Hands’
Self-defence - Functional Fitness - Confidence - Stress Relief
Weekly Classes - Regular Seminars - Private Group Sessions
First Session FREE
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Next Seminar: Jul'25
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First Session FREE ⋆ Next Seminar: Jul'25 ⋆
Summary Info
Jian Shou Chuan translates to English as Splashing Hands Fist, its name derives from the fact that when training in this system, the hands are often open and move with such speed it is as though you were shaking water from them. It is possibly one of the last great secrets of Chinese Martial arts to be revealed to the general public. Thought to be developed in the late 1700’s for the temple monks, whose duty was to guard the gates at the Northern Shaolin temple, in China, and then spread later to southern China.
Practice this style for:
Martial skills and practical self-defence in the short-term
Highly functional fitness
Cross-train with other fighting styles (boxing, MMA) and sports
Class summary:
Format: technique practice, self-defence applications, pads and bag training, forms practice
Physical intensity: Medium-High although training can be tailored around existing injuries
Syllabus:
Progression through defined levels of learning
Graded syllabus through to Black Belt
Which Little Nine Heaven UK Schools:
Northern England - Stockport - Mondays 8pm-9.30pm £7 PAYG plus Weekend Seminars coming up in June and October 2025.
Southern England - Essex
Scotland - Inverness
Social Media (Links in header):
Backspin to our Instagram ‘jianshouchuanl9h_sh’
Jab hook to our Facebook ‘JianShouChuan L9H SH’
Low block to our TikTok ‘JianShouChuan L9H SH’
The Jian Shou Chuan / Splashing Hands Syllabus
Training for belts is voluntary for students and we can teach the system progressively through the regular classes at each our schools.
We also offer periodic weekend intensive training seminars at our Stockport School, enabling those that live further away to learn a package of techniques that they can train independently between seminars and be assessed against the syllabus at a future seminar - earning a belt and accessing the next level of training.
The seminars cater to all levels from new starters to our returning black belts - our most recent seminar in Feb 2025 included students at all of the different levels and was a great success.
A summary of the syllabus is below, all students can access the Jian Shou Chuan / Splashing Hands Student Training Manual - a detailed 52 page guide to the style and syllabus.
Level 1 White Belt Training
Stance training, Basic techniques and combinations, Shaolin 3 Exercises, Conditioning routine, 2 man and equipment training drills, Appropriate fighting applications.
Level 2 Yellow Belt Training
Advanced techniques and combinations, Browns forms 1-10, Conditioning training, Appropriate 2 man drills, equipment drills and fighting applications, Daoist prayer exercise and introduction to fighting theories of the system.
Level 3 Blue Belt Training
Four Corners form, Appropriate 2 man drills, equipment drills and fighting applications, Conditioning training and introduction to Iron Hand training bag striking.
Level 4 Green Belt Training course
Advances forms 1-10, Advances Linking Form, Appropriate 2 man drills, equipment drills and fighting applications, Conditioning training and progression of Iron Hand training if appropriate, Introduction to free sparring.
Level 5 Brown Belt Training course
Sections forms 1-10, Small Cross and Combination Form, Appropriate 2 man drills, equipment drills, sparring sessions and fighting applications, Conditioning training and progression of Iron Hand training if appropriate.
Note: When studying on the Intensive Splashing Hands course for students wishing to obtain a Black belt in this system there are further requirements and a FREE Rank test can be arranged no earlier than 12 months from satisfactorily passing all five levels to Brown belt. Black belt is the highest rank obtainable in the Splashing Hands system, there are no degrees of black belt.
Jian Shou Chuan translates to English as Splashing Hands Fist, its name derives from the fact that when training in this system, the hands are often open and move with such speed it is as though you were shaking water from them. It is possibly one of the last great secrets of Chinese Martial arts to be revealed to the general public. Thought to be developed in the late 1700’s for the temple monks, whose duty was to guard the gates at the Northern Shaolin temple, in China, and then spread later to southern China.
The Splashing Hands System uses practical, fast hand and foot combinations. This system will teach the novice to fight with speed and efficiency in a very short time. The basic principles governing the use of Splashing Hands in a fight are to get as close as possible to the opponent, strike first, strike fast, strike hard and keep striking until the opponent is no longer a threat. Its methods can also be a useful addition to any martial artist, regardless of their skill level or style of practice.
Unlike many martial arts systems, when fighting, Splashing Hands looks the same as when it is practised - there is no great conceptual leap to make between traditional practice and application. Whether a novice or advanced martial artist, you will find the training both physically and mentally demanding, but you will also find you develop speed, power and skill quickly.
Regular practice of Splashing Hands will keep you fit, enhance your health and quickly develop your self-defence capabilities. It will also condition and tone all the major muscle groups of the body, as well as improve your cardiovascular fitness. Its bi-lateral training methods will further improve your co-ordination, balance, timing and proprioceptive skills.
The Splashing Hands syllabus includes the Basic and Advanced techniques, Browns combinations, Advances combinations, Sections combinations, Four Corners Form, Small Cross and Combination Form and is taught through weekly sessions and periodic seminars.
The Splashing Hands system was taught to Master McNeil by Grand Master Haumea Lefiti. It is a compact and quick to learn fighting system and ideal for the student who wishes to focus on self-defence aspects of training and enjoys a real physical workout.
It is suitable for all levels, male and female and is taught in a friendly but professional and respectful atmosphere. The lessons are very much hands on when it comes to applications and practice and students should be prepared to work hard and take the knocks that come with this type of training. If you are unsure whether this type of class is for you why not contact us to discuss your requirements further.
Jian Shou Chuan / Splashing Hands System Masters Lineage
Grandmaster Haumea Lefiti
Grand Master Haumea Lefiti was born in Hawaii in 1930. By the late 1940’s he was a seasoned 200+ pound Samoan street fighter (usually known as ‘Tiny’!) and was already proficient in boxing, Karate, Judo, Luo (Samoan street fighting) and Kung-Fu.
In his early 20’s he joined the US Marines and whilst stationed in Korea, during the Korean War, he learned Korean Karate and later, whilst stationed in Taiwan, he was introduced to ‘Splashing Hands’ Kung-Fu by an exiled Chinese Nationalist General whose name is unknown today.
Only a select group were chosen by the General to learn the art. After two years of intensive training under the General, Tiny’s time with the marines was over. By the end of his military career he was a highly decorated soldier and an extremely competent martial artist. On asking the General where he could continue his training in Splashing Hands, the General said he knew of only one other man who could complete his training in the Splashing Hands system; Master Ark Yuey Wong, who had emigrated to America.
When Tiny first arrived at Master Wong’s school with his letter of introduction from the General, Master Wong claimed to have no knowledge of the system. However, Tiny persisted until eventually Master Wong began to teach him more of the secrets of the system.
In 1965 Master Lefiti opened his own school and during this period he took many challenges from single and multiple opponents and was never defeated. Many people passed through the doors of his school but most quit due to the harsh nature of the training.
In his lifetime Master Lefiti awarded few black belt grades. Only one black belt student has continued training and teaching Splashing Hands since Master Lefiti’s death; Master James McNeil, who is now the head of the system.
Master James McNeil
Born in 1942 in Missouri, USA, James McNeil was brought up as a child in a rough area of Los Angeles. Everyday he fought his way though various gangs to get to school. So when at 24 years of age, his older brother Frank took up the little known art of Kung-Fu under Master Lefiti, James just laughed saying “he already knew how to fight.”
However, a few weeks later his brother convinced him to try out the school, where he was met by Master Lefiti who simply said “So this is the guy who knows how to fight?” he took McNeil into a back room and showed him he didn’t know enough!
After this tough first lesson, for seven years (until Master Lefiti’s death) James McNeil trained three hours a night, five nights a week under his teacher intensely absorbing everything he could. Eventually, he had to fight a hardened street fighter in the back room of a bar to earn his black belt. The first time he lost ! Undeterred, he continued his practice, training even harder and one year later after another back room bar fight with the same man, he was successful in earning his first black belt rank.
After Master Lefiti’s death, although greatly saddened, James McNeil continued to train in the Splashing Hands system and today is still teaching many students worldwide in order to keep this system from being lost!
Jian Shou Chuan ‘Splashing Hands’ Videos
See the GALLERY and VIDEOS sections for more content of Jian Shou Chuan ‘Splashing Hands’ and our other styles, including archive footage of Grandmaster James McNeil and Grandmaster Haumea Lefiti.
You can also check out our dedicate Jian Shou Chuan social media, hyperlinks in the site header:
Backspin to our Instagram ‘jianshouchuanl9h_sh’
Jab hook to our Facebook ‘JianShouChuan L9H SH’
Low block to our TikTok ‘JianShouChuan L9H SH’
Promo for Feb 2025 Seminar at the Stockport school
We run periodic weekend seminars/workshops that cover entire blocks of the syllabus, enabling students that live further away to take home and practice independently. Seminars are suitable for all levels from beginner to black belt, with content tailored to the group.
Sifu Ben Norbury - Jian Shou Chuan Brown 5 Application
Sifu Ben Norbury guiding students through an application for the Brown 5 form in Jian Shou Chuan ‘Splashing Hands’. Once comfortable with the basics, introduce problems to solve, like withdrawing the attackers arm and preventing counters.
Jian Shou Chuan ‘Splashing Hands’ Testimonials
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"Fantastic system teaching how to move fast, hit hard, and strengthen the body. It’s well worth the travel from Birmingham"
Reece.T, Birmingham, MMA practitioner and instructor. Learning Jian Shou Chuan/Splashing Hands
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"I really enjoy practicing Splashing Hands. It is a fast, fun and effective martial art that gives you a full body workout. The club has a really friendly atmosphere and the teachers are great"
Jon.W, Bredbury, previously Aikido. Learning Jian Shou Chuan/Splashing Hands
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“If you want to learn traditional martial arts systems I'd recommend Little Nine Heaven, I've been doing the (Jian Shou Chuan) seminars for the last couple years - you're going to learn how to hit very quickly! The teachers are brilliant, Sifu Ben and Sifu Andrew - really welcoming and it's a great bunch of people to train with, I'd recommend it"”
Nige.T, Birmingham, MMA and Jeet Kune Do practitioner and instructor. Learning Jian Shou Chuan/Splashing Hands
