Single Whip 單鞭
Dān biān
How to do it
Right hand forms a 'hook' (fingertips together) extended to the side; turn the waist and step left into a bow stance, the left palm turning outward and pushing at shoulder height. Arms open like a whip handle.
Step by step
- From Grasp the Bird's Tail, sit back and turn left, hands circling
- Turn right
- the right hand forms a hook at shoulder height
- Step the left foot out to the left corner
- Shift forward into bow stance as the left palm turns and pushes outward
Breathing
Inhale as you turn and form the hook; exhale as the palm pushes.
Health focus
Shoulder opening, balance in a wide stance, focus of the eyes on the leading hand.
Common mistakes
- Hook arm too stiff or too high
- Pushing hand ahead of the body turn
- Front knee caving inward
Martial meaning
The hook can strike with the wrist or trap a punch; the palm pushes or strikes.
How it varies between styles
| Yang | Bow stance, left palm pushes forward-left; most repeated posture of the 103 form. |
|---|---|
| Chen | Wide horse-bow stance, left hand spirals out to the side; hook hand higher. |
| Wu | Leaning straight line; narrower stance. |
| Sun | High stance with follow-step and open–close before it. |
| Seated | Open both arms wide to the sides, turning the head to look past the open hand. |
Where it appears
- Simplified 24 (Beijing Form) – step 9: Single Whip
- Simplified 24 (Beijing Form) – step 11: Single Whip
- Yang Family Traditional 103 Form – step 4: Single Whip
- Yang Family Traditional 103 Form – step 31: Single Whip
- Yang Family Traditional 103 Form – step 35: Single Whip
- Yang Family Traditional 103 Form – step 56: Diagonal Single Whip
- Yang Family Traditional 103 Form – step 61: Single Whip
- Yang Family Traditional 103 Form – step 64: Single Whip
- Yang Family Traditional 103 Form – step 68: Single Whip
- Yang Family Traditional 103 Form – step 84: Single Whip
- Yang Family Traditional 103 Form – step 88: Single Whip
- Yang Family Traditional 103 Form – step 93: Single Whip
- Chen Practical Method Yilu – 81 Movements – step 4: Single Whip
- Chen Practical Method Yilu – 81 Movements – step 28: Single Whip
- Chen Practical Method Yilu – 81 Movements – step 44: Oblique Single Whip
- Chen Practical Method Yilu – 81 Movements – step 49: Single Whip
- Chen Practical Method Yilu – 81 Movements – step 54: Single Whip
- Chen Practical Method Yilu – 81 Movements – step 68: Single Whip
- Chen Practical Method Yilu – 81 Movements – step 75: Single Whip
- Chen Laojia Yilu (Old Frame First Road) – 74 Movements – step 5: Single Whip
- Chen Laojia Yilu (Old Frame First Road) – 74 Movements – step 26: Single Whip
- Chen Laojia Yilu (Old Frame First Road) – 74 Movements – step 42: Single Whip
- Chen Laojia Yilu (Old Frame First Road) – 74 Movements – step 47: Single Whip
- Chen Laojia Yilu (Old Frame First Road) – 74 Movements – step 51: Single Whip
- Chen Laojia Yilu (Old Frame First Road) – 74 Movements – step 61: Single Whip
- Chen Laojia Yilu (Old Frame First Road) – 74 Movements – step 67: Single Whip
- Cheng Man-ch'ing 37-Posture Short Form – step 8: Single Whip
- Wu Jianquan 108 Long Form – step 5: Single Whip
- Wu Jianquan 108 Long Form – step 18: Single Whip
- Wu Jianquan 108 Long Form – step 30: Single Whip
- Wu Jianquan 108 Long Form – step 32: Single Whip
- Wu Jianquan 108 Long Form – step 58: Single Whip
- Wu Jianquan 108 Long Form – step 70: Single Whip
- Wu Jianquan 108 Long Form – step 72: Single Whip
- Wu Jianquan 108 Long Form – step 86: Single Whip
- Wu Jianquan 108 Long Form – step 88: Single Whip
- Wu Jianquan 108 Long Form – step 95: Single Whip
- Wu Jianquan 108 Long Form – step 107: Single Whip
- Sun Style 73 Competition Form – step 5: Single Whip, Left
- Sun Style 73 Competition Form – step 21: Single Whip, Left
- Sun Style 73 Competition Form – step 29: Single Whip, Right
- Sun Style 73 Competition Form – step 48: Diagonal Single Whip
- Sun Style 73 Competition Form – step 53: Single Whip, Left
- Sun Style 73 Competition Form – step 65: Single Whip, Left
Animated 2D guide (front view). The highlighted leg carries the weight, the faint trails show the path of the hands, and the cue at the top suggests the breath.
Video demonstrations 影片
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Move slowly, keep the knees soft and over the toes, and stay within a comfortable range. Every movement can be adapted for a chair.