Splashing Hands System

Splashing Hands System

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 currently only taught as private lessons or in intensive group training setting. 


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.
Struggling to find time to attend your training on a regular basis? 
Too busy with work?
Why not consider studying in an Intensive training course and self study between courses in your own time. Learn the whole Splashing Hands syllabus in a structured program to suit your time frame. 

Level 1 White Belt Training course
Stance training, Basic techniques and combinations, Shaolin 3 Exercises, Conditioning routine, 2 man and equipment training drills, Appropriate fighting applications. Full syllabus training manual.Certification upon satisfactory completion of training. Course 1 week (5 Days) 4 hours per day.

Level 2 Yellow Belt Training course
Full review of level 1 training, Advanced techniques and combinations, Browns 1-10, Conditioning training, Appropriate 2 man drills, equipment drills and fighting applications, Daoist prayer exercise and introduction to fighting theories of the system. Certification upon satisfactory completion of training. Course 1 week (5 Days) 4 hours per day.

Level 3 Blue Belt Training course
Full review of previous training, Sections 1-10, Four Corners form, Appropriate 2 man drills, equipment drills and fighting applications, Conditioning training and introduction to Iron Hand training bag striking. Certification upon satisfactory completion of training. Course 1 week (5 Days) 4 hours per day.

Level 4 Green Belt Training course
Full review of previous training, Advances 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. Certification upon satisfactory completion of training. Course 1 week (5 Days) 4 hours per day.

Level 5 Brown Belt Training course
Full review of previous training, 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. Certification upon satisfactory completion of training. Course 1 week (5 Days) 4 hours per day.

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. Requirements can be discussed with your instructor.
For training costs of all packages or any further information please contact us. 

All private lessons and Intensive courses are taught at the fully equipped Little Nine Heaven UK School by qualified and insured instructors. Private instruction at other venues may incur travel and accommodation costs. Intensive courses do not include food or accommodation.

Splashing Hands System Masters Lineage

Grand Master 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! 

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