Grasp the Bird's Tail 攬雀尾
Lǎn què wěi
How to do it
The signature Yang-family sequence containing four of the eight energies: Ward-off (Peng) – rounded arm expands forward; Roll-back (Lu) – turn the waist and draw diagonally back; Press (Ji) – one palm presses the other wrist forward; Push (An) – sit back, then push forward from the legs.
Step by step
- Ward-off: step and round the forearm in front of the chest, back palm by the hip
- Roll-back: turn the waist and sit back, both hands drawing diagonally down and back
- Press: turn forward, the rear palm joins the front wrist and both press out as the weight shifts forward
- Push: separate the hands, sit back and draw them to the chest, then push forward from the legs
Breathing
Inhale on roll-back and sitting back; exhale on press and push.
Health focus
Waist rotation, weight transfer, coordination; the heart of Yang-style practice.
Common mistakes
- Moving the arms without turning the waist
- Leaning forward in press and push
- Letting the front knee pass beyond the toes
Martial meaning
Contains four of the eight energies: receive (peng), lead in (lu), squeeze (ji) and press away (an).
How it varies between styles
| Yang | Large, round, with clear weight shifts for each of the four energies; done left (ward-off only) and right (full sequence). |
|---|---|
| Wu | Body forms a straight forward-leaning line in bow stance; hands closer to the body. |
| Chen | Called Lazy About Tying Coat (Lan Zha Yi) – one long spiralling movement rather than four parts. |
| Sun | Compact, with follow-step; open–close hands precede it. |
| Seated | Do the arm pattern with waist turns; shift weight between sit bones. |
Where it appears
- Simplified 24 (Beijing Form) – step 7: Grasp the Bird's Tail – Left
- Simplified 24 (Beijing Form) – step 8: Grasp the Bird's Tail – Right
- Yang Family Traditional 103 Form – step 3: Grasp the Bird's Tail
- Yang Family Traditional 103 Form – step 30: Step Forward and Grasp the Bird's Tail
- Yang Family Traditional 103 Form – step 60: Grasp the Bird's Tail
- Yang Family Traditional 103 Form – step 63: Grasp the Bird's Tail
- Yang Family Traditional 103 Form – step 83: Step Forward and Grasp the Bird's Tail
- Yang Family Traditional 103 Form – step 92: Step Forward and Grasp the Bird's Tail
- Chen Practical Method Yilu – 81 Movements – step 61: Turn Left and Step in to Squeeze
- Cheng Man-ch'ing 37-Posture Short Form – step 4: Ward Off Right (Grasp the Bird's Tail)
- Cheng Man-ch'ing 37-Posture Short Form – step 5: Roll Back
- Cheng Man-ch'ing 37-Posture Short Form – step 6: Press
- Cheng Man-ch'ing 37-Posture Short Form – step 7: Push
- Wu Jianquan 108 Long Form – step 4: Grasp Bird's Tail
- Wu Jianquan 108 Long Form – step 17: Grasp Bird's Tail
- Wu Jianquan 108 Long Form – step 29: Step Up Grasp Bird's Tail
- Wu Jianquan 108 Long Form – step 57: Grasp Bird's Tail
- Wu Jianquan 108 Long Form – step 69: Grasp Bird's Tail
- Wu Jianquan 108 Long Form – step 85: Step Up Grasp Bird's Tail
- Wu Jianquan 108 Long Form – step 94: Step Up Grasp Bird's Tail
- Wu Jianquan 108 Long Form – step 106: Step Up Grasp Bird's Tail
Animated 2D guide (front view). The highlighted leg carries the weight, the faint trails show the path of the hands, and the cue at the top suggests the breath.
Video demonstrations 影片
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Move slowly, keep the knees soft and over the toes, and stay within a comfortable range. Every movement can be adapted for a chair.