As Sifu Wong Chun Nga moves in with a thrust punch, Grandmaster Wong grips the attacking arm with a Single Tiger Claw

The first few of the Shaolin Seven Two Chin-Na Techniques are simple, making use of the Single Tiger Claw or the Double Tiger Claws to hold and grip an opponent's arm, using patterns like “Single Tiger Emerges from Cave”, “Black Tiger Cleanses Claw”, “Lead Horse Back to Stable” and “Old Eagle Catches Snake”.

As in many of our Shaolin Wahnam teachings, simple does not mean easy or ineffective. Indeed, because they are both simple to apply and effective in subduing opponents that these patterns are widely used.

But merely applying the techniques may not result in effective application. In other words, if you just attempt to grip opponents' arms using these techniques, the opponents can easily avoid your grips. You have to work out suitable strategies and tactics so that holding and gripping their arms become a logical consequence.

A good strategy is to let them attack you, and a good tactic is to follow their momentum. Then holding and gripping their arms become easy.

You can read first-hand accounts of the Special Chin-Na Course by Zhang Wuji from his posts in the Shaolin Wahnam Discussion Forum by clicking here.