Five Close-quarter Strategies

In Tai Chi Chuan there are five close-quarter strategies:

Nian

This means 'sticking' or 'adherence', so at close quarters the arms should be glued to the opponent's, so that we can control , strike lock or throw our opponent.

Lian

This means 'continuous' or connected'.  At close quarters defensive and countering movements should be continuous and connected.

Mian

Mian literally means 'cotton' and has the idea of softness.  Those who are soft have better listening abilities and can react faster. they are also better able to change from hard to soft and vice versa as appropriate.

Sui

Sui means to 'follow' or 'allow'.  Sui has the idea of moving forward, back, left or right in response to the opponent's actions.

Bu Diu Ding

This means we should neither lose contact with our opponent thus allowing him to launch a fresh assault, nor should we oppose his force with brute force thus wasting energy.