Crossing Arms Partner Practice
Setting Crossing Arms: Sit in mabu facing each other with the arms connected. Circle the arms, keeping them connected and straight. Change arms and direction at will, there is no fixed pattern. Keep the power mid-weight, not too heavy (this is not yazhang partner training). Switch sides every one or two circles, going in the same direction. Change directions occasionally. Press slightly into your partner rather than just circling in empty vertical circles. If you are following, make sure you are following, not just going along. Do not go too fast. To take the lead, bring the other arm in at a natural place and continue to circle as you gradually switch arms.
Walking Crossing Arms: Add stepping with the circling as you become more comfortable. Use koubu and baibu to position yourself. If you step well, when you cross arms you are already in a good position for a zhuangzhang with the body.
(Philippe is helping Andrea here)
Coiling Palm Partner Practice (similar to Crossing Arms, but with the arms less straight so you can play with it a bit more)
Sitting Coiling: Sit in mabu facing each other with the arms connected. Circle the arms, keeping them connected. Change arms and directions at will, there is no fixed pattern. Keep the power mid-weight, not too heavy. Coil the arms around each other. Add light qinna, or joint locks on the fingers and wrists, to get comfortable with changing grips while moving.
Walking Coiling: When you are comfortable with coiling, step along with the circling, similar to the Crossing Arms Walking.
Wrist Wringing Partner Practice
Single Grab: Partners stand facing each other in mabu. One partner takes the wrist of the other and turns and lifts it like playing with a sabre. In one direction you are trying to lift your partner’s elbow, in the other direction you are trying to twist into the shoulder. The grabbed partner protects the wrist by acting like a sabre. That is, protect the wrist by doing a chuanzhang. Extend the arm, rotating it into the direction of the grab, and move your power up and towards your partner. Do not ‘go into’ your arms, but stay in your body, or you will be pulled around easily.
Double Grab: The same, but grabbing with both hands. This is much stronger, so be careful not to put full power into the grab and twist. The grabbed partner still needs to be able to rotate the arm.
Double Grab with Stepping: One partner takes the other’s wrist in two hands and steps across with a koubu then rolls to circle the arm fully around, like playing with a sabre. The grabbed partner goes along sideways with the circling to keep the arm safe, extending and putting energy into the grabbing partner. The grabbing partner rolls under the arms to complete the circle, continuing in the same direction.