Qinna 擒拿

Qinna is the name for the seizing and grabbing techniques used in most martial arts. These mostly include joint control and pressure point manipulation.

Qinna is used in several mid-range and close-range situations, as well as grappling and ground fighting. It is particularly favoured by those who need to be able to control an opponent with the minimum amount of permanent damage. That is not to say that qinna cannot be devastating, only to say that it gives you more options.

Qinna includes:

• Fen jin 分筋 - Dividing the muscles and tendons
• Cuo gu 錯骨(s错骨)Displacing bones
• Dian xue 點穴(s点穴)- Cavity Press
• Na mai 拿眽 - Grabbing arteries & qi channels
• Zhua jin (抓筋) - Grabbing tendons
• Bi qi 閉氣(s闭气) - Sealing the breath

The goal of qinna is to use relative positions and angles to immobilise the opponent by controlling joints and vital points. This requires complete understanding of correct weight shifting, footwork, and body alignment. In combat conditions, the possible variations on the techniques are many. You must have techniques covering a wide range of situations and understand the principles of their application including the correct angles, power, and timing. Only then will you be able to use them effectively.

As with shuaijiao, extensive training in tuishou (pushing hands) is not only extremely helpful, but is often essential for the proper execution of qinna techniques.