The Power of the Iron Eagle Kung Fu Elbow — The Urban Warrior’s Secret Weapon

By Alvin Raúl Cardona

In a world where speed often overshadows depth, there’s something profoundly grounding about an ancient technique that still holds power in modern hands. Among the treasures of traditional Chinese Kung Fu, the teachings of the late great Grandmaster Lau Fat Mang especially his insights on the elbow strike remain as potent today as they were generations ago.

Elbow strikes are often overlooked in popular combat systems, but not in Eagle Claw. Grandmaster Lau Fat Mang described the elbow as a secret weapon, compact, explosive, and devastating at close range. In his own words, translated from the original Chinese writings:

“You must get close to the opponent and use your force upwards from below… eruptive force when you are real close to the enemy.”

This isn’t about brute strength. It’s about control, timing, and intent. In a street encounter, there’s no space for fancy movements or distant strikes. The elbow becomes the bridge between reaction and survival, a force drawn from the center, delivered with the power of focus and rooted practice.

Iron Eagle Kung Fu™, as we teach it today, is not a museum piece. It’s alive in every elbow, every footwork drill, and every breath. It’s a system designed for real-life challenges, whether facing stress, danger, or inner conflict. 

We’ve modernized our curriculum to meet the realities of urban living, but our foundation remains unchanged: respect for tradition, power through structure, and calm through presence.

My students learn that when all else fails, the elbow remains—simple, close-range, unstoppable. It represents the heart of Iron Eagle Kung Fu™: never flashy, always effective.