编者按：洪拳，广东名拳之一，威震岭南数百年。影视作品的推崇使其在国内外一度繁荣，但缺乏深入理论研究；李连杰先生演绎的夸张动作误导了国际友人，将其误认为是真正的洪拳风格。这种现象激发了洪拳界专家对其进行深入挖掘和全面研究，以促进理论发展。武术家周至誌先生的文章代表了这一领域的先进水平，对探索洪拳奥秘有着极高参考价值。
“小成三年中，大成十年功”，武艺之所以称为功夫，是因为需要刻苦努力和持之以恒。在《虎鹤双形拳》自序中，林世荣先生指出，“一道诚易学而难精”，要先明规矩、习标准，再用气力接桥，善于变化，这样才能使技能不断提高。
洪家拳从扎马碌桥开始，便是一门实实在在的气力功夫，没有多余装饰。“洪家讲桥马，蔡家讲快打”、“洪家桥马，佛家快打”等流行谚语突出了桥手和马步不可或缺的地位。前辈们在此上下苦功三五载，让桥手和马步成为实战中的坚强支撑。
bridge and horse posture, which are included in the outer five essentials of Hong family boxing. The inner five essentials refer to the fundamental principles for cultivating one's body and mastering martial arts, while the outer five essentials represent the methods for applying martial arts skills.
One, Inner Five Essentials
Jing (Essence)
Jing is the core of the inner five essentials. It not only determines physical strength but also affects mental clarity and vitality. A sufficient amount of jing can ensure a strong body and mind.
Li (Vital Energy)
Li is generated from jing and flows through meridians to nourish organs, muscles, tendons, bones, hair follicles, nails, teeth marrow-bone-tendon-muscle-skin system.
Gu (Bones)
Gu refers to strong bones that support muscles and provide stability for movements.
Qi (Breath or Vital Force)
Qi is life energy that connects all parts of our bodies.
Shen (Spirit or Mind)
Shen represents mental clarity and spiritual awareness.
Two, Outer Five Essentials
Boxing Form
Boxing form includes various techniques such as punches with different angles like "hook," "uppercut," "straight punch," etc., each requiring precise control over power distribution based on distance between attacker/defender; speed; force applied by striking area; angle formed by forearm when punching; duration during impact phase before rebound phase starts up again within single strike execution cycle.
2 & 3: Footwork & Body Rotation - Mastering footwork allows practitioners to move around opponents effectively while maintaining balance in any direction without losing momentum from previous movements prior action taken immediately after landing successfully executed technique at target location where next move will be performed before being caught off guard by counterattack attempt made against them due primarily caused solely because inability perform smooth transitions smoothly transitioning seamlessly between these two main components seamlessly integrated into overall fighting strategy employed during competition rounds especially crucial when facing tough opponents who require maximum agility skillset mastery level proficiency achieved through continuous training sessions focusing specifically on perfecting individual components separately then integrating them together seamlessly so they become second nature part integral aspect performance excellence displayed throughout entire fight course from start finish ensuring consistent results under pressure no matter what challenges come their way!
