Single Whip (Chinese: c=[[wiktionary:單|單]][[wiktionary:鞭|鞭]]|p=dān biān) is a common posture found in most forms of tai chi. Typically at the end of the posture the left hand is in a palm outward push and the right hand held most commonly in the form of a hook or closed fist. Notable exceptions are the Single Whip forms found in Sun-style and Wu (Hao)-style, which finish with both hands open and palms outward.
Single Whip is one of the movements/postures most repeated in the solo training forms, such as tai chi.[1] Its first appearance in most forms follows the Grasp Sparrow's Tail sequence (peng, lu, ji, an) and is seen later in Snake Creeps Down.[2] [3] There is also a posture in the Wu style sword form called Single Whip Fusing Throat.
The martial applications of Single Whip are many.[4] There are various strikes, throws, changeups (using one hand to create an opening so that the other can strike) and kicks derived from this posture trained by different schools.