All Kung Fu systems incorporate four strategies: Da (striking 打), Ti (kicking 踢), Shuai (throwing 摔), and Na (catching and locking 拿). Na is an abbreviation for Chin Na, which literally means ‘capture grasp‘. However, there is a fifth strategy known as Fan Chin Na (reverse Chin Na 反擒拿), which are methods for resisting, escaping and countering the locks and holds applied against the Shaolin practitioner. In ancient times when martial arts were a matter of life and death and grappling skills were used for survival, tapping out was not an option. Back then, it was common to fight multiple opponents, so many of the Chin Na techniques, regardless of Chinese style, were designed to quickly incapacitate an opponent so one could deal with other potential attackers. [Editor’s note: Chin Na is the popular spelling for this at present, but the proper Mandarin Romanization is Qinna.]
To understand the concepts of Fan Chin Na, one must first understand Chinese Kung Fu’s grappling methods. These were created at a time when armed bandits often attacked in groups. Grappling on the ground with a single opponent would be a death sentence. This is why stances play such an important role in Kung Fu training. Stances, rooting and stability are skills developed to keep the Kung Fu student on his feet. Of course, one could always end up on the ground during a fight. In such a case, it's imperative to get back on one's feet as soon as possible. A good quick technique is the "kip up," where you spring back to your feet from a prone position, as seen innumerable times in martial arts movies. Another Kung Fu technique is the famous scissor kick, where one attacks with the legs while propelling oneself back to one's feet.
A downed opponent in Chinese Kung Fu usually means a beaten opponent, because the Kung Fu fighter’s strategy of getting the opponent to the ground involves a series of strikes to vital areas, as well as locks and throws. These are all done as a means of self-protection and not sport, which means hard takedowns on pavement or earth and not a mat. A fighter on the ground has been struck several times, likely has a broken joint, and has been slammed hard to the ground.
Besides good footwork and stable stances, a Shaolin student must be able to defend against various locks, holds and grabs in order to remain safe in the face of adversity. Because all locks and grabs are done at close fighting range, the Shaolin student can defend against them with a couple common striking techniques.
First on the list is the elbows. If an attacker is close enough to grab you, he is within range of your elbows. Whether he tries to grab you from the front or the rear, you can respond with an elbow strike. Elbows are powerful weapons that generate a lot of power from a short distance. While some may doubt their effectiveness against a grappling attack, asking, "Why aren’t they done in the ring more often?" one need only look at Thai boxing to see the tremendous damage that elbow strikes can do. In a typical MMA bout, two opponents square off and probe each other from across the ring, waiting for the right time to shoot in for a clinch. But the Shaolin student isn't concerned with beating others in a ring, where you pick each other apart from a distance. The Shaolin student has trained for a street attack, which is often swift and straightforward, with lots of grappling. Therefore, Shaolin Kung Fu trains students to use elbows to defend against a grab. Another technique is the groin slap, easy to apply and effective regardless of physical power. All it takes it a simple slap to the groin to hurt or even disable the opponent. Another benefit of this technique is its sneakiness. It is hard to see coming because of the close proximity, and for that same reason it can be delivered with quickness.
The head-butt, though not obvious within the forms, is an essential part of the Shaolin fighter’s arsenal. Many applications from within the clinch and grabbing range rely on this devastating attack. Aimed at an opponent’s face, it is usually coupled with a grab. Knees also work well within this range and can be combined with any of the aforementioned techniques.
If caught in a lock or grab, the Shaolin student must endeavor to escape as quickly as possible while countering the attack. One can break a hold by striking the opponent's limb. If caught in a joint lock, a quick relaxed whipping and pulling motion will free the limb, to be followed with an elbow or groin slap. These combinations make it difficult to grab, lock or hold a trained Shaolin fighter. Another method of escaping locks is a coiling action coupled with hip movement. This motion was taught to the author by a Shaolin master with 40 years of experience. There are various solo drills to teach this movement, which is an essential part of Shaolin Fan Chin Na.
When practicing escapes from Chin Na locks, proceed with caution. Ligaments unlike muscles and bones do not heal on their own once torn. All it takes is one mistake to cause a permanent injury. Chin Na is designed to attack these ligaments so extreme caution is called for. Practice slowly and gently at first. With experience and a trusty training partner, gradually increase speed and pressure. To use the relaxed whipping motion to free a locked limb, you need to understand the mechanics of the limb. It you pull in the wrong direction, you can damage your own body. Make sure you study such escapes under the guidance of a professional instructor schooled in the ways of Shaolin Kung Fu. Proper warm-up exercises are also important to loosen the body up for the twisting and bending necessary for these movements.
