Sanshou is a Chinese Martial art which means "free hand". It is a hand to hand self defence system and combative sport, which was originally developed by the Chinese military based upon the study and practices of Kung Fu. It combines  punches, kicks, grappling, takedowns, throws, sweeps,elbows and knee strikes.

Not seen as a style itself, rather it is considered as just one of the two components of Chinese martial arts training and is often taught alongside with taolu (forms) training. However, as part of the development of sport wushu by the Chinese goverment, a standard curriculum for sanshou was developed. It is to this standard curriculum that the term "Sanshou" is usually applied.

This curriculum was developed with reference to traditional Chinese martial arts. This general Sanshou curriculum varies in its different forms, as the Chinese government developed a version for civilians for self-defense and as a sport.