Free Fighting.
The translation of Sanda above reflects the unstructured way of fighting. The sparring partners are trained to use their opponents openings or attacks to counter or attack in free combat applying their wushu skills with no set order or pre-arranged combinations.
A wide variety of wushu is used by the Sanda practitioner including punches, kicks, sweeps, and throws to the more advanced skills of Shuaijiao (Chinese wrestling) and Qinna ("Capture" and "Control", joint locks using pressure to control an opponent).

During the C18/19th and even early C20th many fighters were seriously injured, if not killed during Sanda bouts. These days when training, pads may be worn on groin, head or body but the hands are left free (without gloves) to allow full use of locks etc. In China today Sanda competition is regulated and deaths are uncommon. The practitioners possess a high level of skill using clear techniques.