少林小洪拳是少林拳术的基本拳技套路，是初学少林拳术的必修套路，素有“十八拳之母”之说。小洪拳的小型有并步、弓步、马步、蹲步、虚步等，基本上安排了各家拳术的常见步型；手型有掌、拳五花抓；手法有推掌、抢手、扳手、砍手、掠手、拦手、撩手、抓苗头手；拳法有冲拳、劈拳、撩拳、砸拳、侧拳等；足法有踩脚、泼脚、勾脚、腿尖有踢、弹、跳；身法有转身、缩身等；眼法有盯、迷、暴、瞪等，构成了完整的手、足、身、眼、手法，形成了一套系统的理法合一的攻防技术。其形姿小巧玲珑，节奏严紧，技法刚健有力，朴实无花架，招含攻防，动作实战，自始至终行在一线，突出了少林拳术的全部特点。

 This routine, also called the Mother of 18 Boxing, is basic and compulsory for Shaolin Kungfu beginners. Its stance includes closing step, horse step, arch step, squat step and empty step, which are common in other boxing styles. Hand forms are palm, fist and grasp in five flowers. Its hand techniques include push, snatch, chop, block upper cut and so on. Fist techniques are punch, chop, raise, smash, side push. And the foot stamps, pokes, and hooks. You may kick, spring and jump or turn round suddenly or shrink back. You stare, peep or glance sidelong. These techniques are used practically to self-defense or attack. They are made in quick small and forceful movements on one straight line, which characterizes Shaolin Kungfu.