Allan F Graham <allan@wingchun.net.au> 1992
There is a number of varying arm disarms which may be utilised in the Wing Chun style and my interpretation of a short list of the more common techniques are as listed.
Cross Over
This occurs when a person grabs your arm, i.e. his left to your left arm or right to right when the intention of either pulling your down or forward thus turning you side on to him and leaving you defenceless.
As your opponent touches your arm, your body will pivot towards your opponent's direction with your hands undertaking two simultaneous movements.
Firstly, the arm being grabbed will see the wrist rotate upwards and locking over your opponent's hand while the other hand moves upwards with the elbow holding the centre line of your body. The palm will make contact with the under part of your opponent's arm on or near the elbow.
Now the hand making the upward movement to the elbow will rotate clockwise with the palm pushing downward while the other hand is also pulling downward on your opponent's other arm.
It is important to remember that as you pivot your weight is distributed to your rear leg opponent has only minimal weight attached to it, thereby your opponent can not kick it out from you as he/she is brought downward to the floor.
If your opponent is closer to you then you may execute the wrist break technique whereby your free hand slaps down on top of his hand which is grabbing you and at the same time the hand being held rotates the wrist clockwise onto of your opponent's wrist and pointing the fingers downward but also maintaining the centre line between yourself and your opponent.
It is important to remember that you do not stiffen up by maintaining a relaxed composure so as to permit an easy flow on in your attack or departure.
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If you are in a very tight situation then the arm being grabbed may be dropped with the elbow rotating towards the centre and the palm facing upwards and the fingers dripping back towards you.
Then the arm explodes forward to either the spleen or upper body areas along with a forward move by your whole body.
It is important to remember that the other arm would take to the rear Wu Sau position and then forward as a strike of as a help to the other hand.
Parallel Grab
Parallel grabs are when your opponent uses the left to right or right to left grab upon you and may execute one of the following techniques.
As your opponent grabs you on the left arm with his right you immediately slap your right palm on top of his hand and you pivot towards the direction of your opponent.
The arm being held is not moved at this stage but the forearm will fold gently inwards with the elbow pointing at your opponent this being achieved by the pivoting.
When your opponent's arm is fully extended then your right hand rotates outwards thus breaking the grip and also pulling your opponent off balance. Once your left forearm is free it immediately swings upward to commence a punch at your opponent.
Again as the body is executing the pivoting movement the weight is distributed to the rear leg both in the turn to the side and in the turn back to a front on position with the punch.
Alternatively, as your opponent grabs your arm the wrist rotates upwards and outward to place it on top of your opponent's thumb and wrist where the palm exerts a downward force, thus breaking the grip and enabling you to grab your opponent.
Whilst, this is occurring your leg may execute a low heel kick to the leading leg of your opponent which now has most of his/her weight distributed to or alternatively the other free hand may execute a punch to the upper body areas.
Double arm grab
If your opponent grabs both of your arms simultaneously then you may execute the BAR ARM technique.
As your opponent grabs your arms you immediately uplift them and cross them on top of each other with your fingers just touching your elbows.
The arms are lifted to about the height of the throat from where you may execute one of the three approaches which will determined by the response of your opponent to the initial movement.
Firstly, if in this position your opponent tries to push you down then you will pivot in sympathy with the stronger side of the force and as this is occurring the under hand's fingers will raise up and lock over your opponent's wrist which will free your hand but lock both of your opponent's arm.
The fee arm will immediately strike forward to the upper levels of your opponent and to increase the force of your strike you will pivot back to a front on position.
However, if your opponent is a much stronger person than yourself or your reaction speed has been very slow then instead of locking your wrist on to your opponent's you will rotate the elbow upwards and down into your opponent's centre with the other elbow doing the same thing.
Finally, if your opponent decides after grabbing you and you are in the BAR ARM position that he wants retreat and consider another assault position the moment your opponent releases his grip your forearms will immediately spring forward and attack your opponent's upper levels and naturally you.
Again, to enhance the degree of your strike and your focusing upon your opponent it will be necessary to slide inwards upon your opponent along with the forearms movement.
It must be remembered that you do not tense up but remain relaxed so as to be receptive to your opponent’s activities and responses and thus giving you more stability.
Alternatively, when the arm is grabbed you may drop the wrist downward to the centre of your body forcing the elbow forward and on top of your opponent’s arm thus breaking the grip and if you slide forward as the elbow is rolling over then it may strike at the chest of your opponent enabling you to continue your attack.
However, if your is grabbed in a higher position then you may use your free hand to swing downwards with the palm facing upwards to strike your opponent’s thumb and running along the under part of your arm, thus freeing the hand which will immediately shoot forward as a punch, pierce of bil movement to the upper region of your opponent.
Also from the SIL LIM TAO form you may raise the arm not being grabbed to about the elbow level of the arm being held with the palm facing upwards and the sliding the hand down the forearm with the hand flipping over so that the palm is facing downward when the contact is made with your opponent’s hand hitting under the index finger and thrusting your fingers into your opponent’s solar plexus region.
As this is happening the hand being held rotates and pulls itself out but still maintains the centre position and then strikes forward as either a punch or bil movement.
Also, it may be necessary in some circumstances to slide into your opponent so as to reach him with your initial strike or simply to over awe your opponent by your continuous assault upon him.
Another escape techniques is when your arm is grabbed your arm immediately rotates inwards and pushes forward as a punch to your opponent upper regions.
It is to be remembered that this assaults must be initiated immediately upon contact from your opponent otherwise the strength of your opponent may render the technique useless.
Finally, when striking it is necessary to slide in with the punch so as to enhance the force behind it and to permit a proper focused punch to your opponent otherwise the punch may prove to be light on and having no effect upon your opponent other than to increase his assault upon you.