What Is San Soo Kung Fu?

San Soo training focuses on close-range self-defense techniques designed to quickly disrupt an attacker’s balance, structure, and intent. Rather than relying on long combinations or sport-based exchanges, San Soo emphasizes direct strikes, joint manipulation, leverage, off-balancing, and controlled takedowns to neutralize threats efficiently.

• Common elements of San Soo include:

• Strikes to vulnerable targets to create immediate openings

• Joint locks and breaks applied during natural movement

• Balance disruption through foot placement, pulling, and rotation

• Takedowns and throws used to control or end an encounter

• Continuous follow-ups based on the attacker’s reaction rather than memorized sequences

Techniques are taught as principles rather than fixed routines, allowing practitioners to adapt to different body types, attacks, and environments. This approach trains awareness, timing, and positioning so responses remain effective under pressure.

Because of its emphasis on efficiency and adaptability, San Soo is often trained as a practical self-defense system rather than a sport, making it well suited for real-world situations where encounters are unpredictable and uncontrolled.