Twin Kimono (Purple #20)

KenpoTech on September 4, 2010

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Twin Kimono is the 20th technique required to earn your purple belt in Ed Parker’s American Kenpo. Twin Kimono is a defense against a two hand lapel grab that is pushing out, placing it in the Grabs and Tackles category of the Web of Knowledge as well as the Shoulder/Lapel Family Group in the Grabs category of the family groups Grappling division.

Twin Kimono is obviously similar to Lone Kimono however due to the need for more strength in order to clear two arms as opposed to one, you will insert an interim strike between the upward strike and the clearing motion. This will help elongate your circle which will allow for greater speed, momentum and force.

The Technique

Attack

In the ideal phase your opponent is directly in front of you (12:00). He grabs your shirt with both hands and extends both arms forward, pushing you away.

The attack in Twin Kimono is a bit more difficult to defend against but it is also more safe for you as the defender. In Lone Kimono your opponent’s free hand was available for an additional strike. In Twin Kimono both of your opponent’s hands are occupied making it less likely to be used as another form of attack.  On the opposite side of the coin it is more difficult to sprain or break your opponent’s arms.  The pushing away motion of this grab can be used to unbalance you or to drive you into another object. It is important that you quickly solidify your base and negate the attack before your fall or are pushed into something that can cause further harm.

Defense

Twin Kimono – defense for a double lapel grab.

  • Step 1
    • Pin your opponent’s arms at the wrists with your left hand and arm,
    • Step back toward 6:00 with your left foot to form a right neutral bow stance facing 12:00,
    • Deliver a right upward horizontal forearm strike to your opponent’s elbows.
  • Step 2
    • Shift your left foot counter clockwise toward 4:30 to form a right neutral bow stance facing 10:30.
    • Deliver a right outward horizontal back knuckle strike to your opponent’s solar plexus.
  • Step 3
    • Deliver a right inward downward diagonal forearm strike to your opponent’s left arm.
    • Your left hand covers high.
  • Step 4
    • Deliver a right snapping outward handsword strike to your opponent’s throat,
    • Your left hand should continue checking.
  • Step 5
    • Right front crossover and cover out toward 4:30.

Considerations

  • What if…
    • your opponent’s elbows remain bent?
    • your opponent pulls you toward him?
    • your opponent’s right leg is forward?
    • your opponent’s left left is forward?
    • your opponent follows the grab with a knee strike?
    • you cannot step backward?

Notes

  • While your left hand is reaching to pin your opponent’s arms, you can insert a slice or hook to the eyes.
  • While you are striking your opponent’s left arm with your right inward downward diagonal forearm strike, your fist could strike your opponent’s temple at the same time.
  • Emphasis should be placed on breaking your opponent’s left elbow and spraining his right elbow.
  • Make sure that your opponent’s arms are driven down and diagonally to your left with your right inward downward diagonal forearm strike.
  • Ensure your strikes to your opponent’s body are not wasted motion. Employ the proper angle of incidence.

Additional Information

Name

A Kimono is a traditional Japanese Robe or Tunic while the word Twin represents double  or two of something.  In this technique your opponent grabs your shirt (kimono) at the lapel area with both (twin) hands. This two-hand (Twin) grab to the shirt (Kimono) gives us the name Twin Kimono.

Basics & Maneuvers

  • Left Reverse Step Through
  • Right Neutral Bow Stance
  • Right Upward Forearm Strike
  • Right Outward Horizontal Back Knuckle Strike
  • Right Inward Downward Diagonal Forearm Strike
  • Outward Upward Diagonal Handsword Strike
  • Right Front Crossover
  • Cover Out

Targets

  • Wrists
  • Elbows
  • Solar Plexus
  • Throat

Concepts & Principles

  • Anchoring
  • Angle of Alignment
  • Angle of Cancellation
  • Angle of Disturbance
  • Borrowed Force

Concepts & Principles (Con’t)

  • Breaking
  • Complimentary Angle
  • Continuity of Motion
  • Contouring
  • Counter Manipulation
  • Elongating the Circle
  • Frictional Pull
  • Hugging Pin
  • Locking
  • Lowercase Movement
  • Neutral Zones
  • Path of Action
  • Pinning Check
  • Pivot Points
  • Pivoting
  • Rebounding Strike
  • Rounding the Corners
  • Squeegee Principle
  • Stabilize Your Base
  • Uppercase Movement
  • Upside of the Circle
  • Zones of Obscurity


Related Techniques

Historical Notes

  • In the 1975 Accumulative Journal you slid your left foot toward 4:00 as you delivers your right outward back knuckle strike.
  • The 1975 Accumulative Journal indicated an angle of departure at 4:00

Historical Versions

1975 Accumulative Journal

TWIN KIMONO (front two-hand lapel grab — push out)

  1. With feet together, drop back (to 6 o’clock) with your left foot (into a right neutral bow as your left arm pins your opponent’s arms while simultaneously delivering a right upward forearm strike against opponent’s elbow joints.
  2. Immediately shift your left foot counter clockwise to 4 o’clock as you cock and deliver a right back knuckle strike to opponent’s solar plexus.
  3. Follow-up with a right inward strike to both arms of opponent, striking  them diagonally and down to the left.
  4. Deliver a right outward chop to opponent’s throat.
  5. Right front crossover and cover out to 4 o’clock.

Obstructing The Storm (Purple #19)

KenpoTech on September 4, 2010

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Obstructing The Storm is the 19th required technique to obtain your purple belt in Ed Parker’s American Kenpo.  Obstructing The Storm is a defense against an overhand downward club attack, placing it in the Weapons category of the Web of Knowledge as well as the Stick Family Group in the Weapons category of the family groups Striking division.

Your natural response when attacked with a weapon is to move off the line of attack. You are limited in available options so you move toward your opponent and slightly off his line of attack gaining a zone of sanctuary within your opponent’s obscure zone.  Moving off the line of attack is only one aspect of this technique as you can only do so minimally. You back this up by obstructing the attack, grabbing his wrist, controlling his zones of protection and controlling his retaliatory efforts all in a single continuous action.

The Technique

Attack

In the ideal phase your attacker is directly in front of you (12:00), in a left fighting stance. He steps forward with his right foot as he delivers a right overhead club attack. It is assumed that you are unable to evade the attack by moving to the left, right or rear.

There are many scenarios that can lead to your inability to move in any direction but forward.  It is vital to always be aware of your surroundings and develop good speed, timing and precision.

Defense

Obstructing the Storm – defense for a front overhead club strike.

  • Step 1
    • Step toward 10:30 with your left foot to form a horse stance facing 1:30,
    • Deliver a right over left upward cross block to your opponent’s right wrist.
  • Step 2
    • Catch the opponent’s right wrist with your right hand.
    • Deliver a left Inward thrusting forearm strike to your opponent’s right elbow,
    • Slide your left foot toward 1:30, in front of your opponent’s right leg, to form a left neutral bow stance.
    • Pull your opponent’s right wrist in, down and past your right hip,
    • Roll your right arm horizontally forcing your opponent’s right arm down,
  • Step 3
    • Deliver a right thrusting knee kick to your opponent’s head or chest
    • Yank the club out of your opponent’s hand with your right hand,
    • Your left arm maintains a low check on your opponent’s right arm or shoulder.
  • Step 4
    • Plant your right foot back to point of origin.
    • Deliver a right upward lifting back knuckle or club strike to your opponent’s face.
  • Step 5
    • Left front crossover and cover out toward 7:30.

Considerations

  • What if…
    • your opponent steps forward with his left leg?
    • your opponent does not step forward?
    • your opponent changes his angle of attack?
    • your opponent attacks from the left side?
    • the club is knocked loose on the cross block?
    • there is a wall to your back?
    • you are in a bear hug from behind, arms free?

Notes

  • Make sure that your head, shoulders and legs are clear of the line of attack.
  • Explore why your right hand goes over your left hand.
  • Keep your fingers closed when you block the club.
  • Your training partner should follow through with the club strike and not stop short. Instead he should simply go slower and with less power which you can increase as your skill improves.

Variations

  • Some schools still teach the technique to end with the knee strike.
  • Many schools teach the technique up to the disarm and do not include the follow up strike. A variation on how to disarm, with checking the opponent’s arm as you move away is as follows:
    • Step 3
      • Deliver a right thrusting knee kick to your opponent’s head or chest, planting your foot back to point of origin.
    • Step 4
      • Continue holding your opponent’s right wrist with your right hand,
      • disarm the attacker with your left hand (palm out/thumb down, slide fingers between you and the club, grab hold of the club twist counter clockwise toward the opponent’s face),
    • Step 5
      • Deliver a left horizontal push down block with the stick, against your opponent’s right elbow,
      • Left front crossover and cover out toward 7:30.
  • In addition the technique is, more often than not, taught with a follow up strike to the attacker’s face before the front crossover and cover out. If you have your opponent’s stick this is done with the stick, otherwise this is done with your fist or forearm. A variation that has you plant forward with the final strike is as follows:
    • Step 3
      • Deliver a right thrusting knee kick to your opponent’s head or chest
      • Yank the club out of your opponent’s hand with your right hand,
      • Your left arm maintains a low check on your opponent’s right arm or shoulder.
    • Step 4
      • Plant your right foot forward towards 2:00 into a right forward bow stance
      • Deliver a right upward lifting back knuckle or club strike to your opponent’s face.
    • Step 5
      • Execute a right rear step through, planting your foot back into its point of origin before the kick, into a left neutral bow stance
      • Left front crossover and cover out toward 7:30.

Additional Information

Name

In Ed Parker’s American Kenpo the term storm is used to symbolize a club attack. In this technique you will not simply avoid the club attack (storm) but you will be obstructing it’s path of action as well; giving us the name Obstructing The Storm

Basics & Maneuvers

  • Left Front Step Through
  • Left Horse Stance
  • Right over Left Upward Cross-Hand Block
  • Left Inward Thrusting Vertical Forearm Strike
  • Left Neutral Bow Stance
  • Arm Bar Takedown
  • Right Thrusting Knee Strike
  • Left Front Crossover
  • Cover Out

Targets

  • Right Wrist
  • Right Elbow Joint
  • Right Outer Forearm
  • Face/Chest

Concepts & Principles

  • Angle of Cancellation
  • Angle of Contact
  • Angle of Deflection
  • Angle of Deviation
  • Angle of Disturbance

Concepts & Principles (Con’t)

  • Borrowed Force
  • Bracing Angle
  • Cat Around (Cating)
  • Catching
  • Continuity of Motion
  • Cross Blocking
  • Depth Penetration
  • Environmental Restrictions
  • Fulcruming
  • Hugging Check
  • Leverage
  • Line of Attack
  • Open Ended Triangle
  • Point of Origin
  • Path of Action
  • Plane of Action
  • Rolling Check
  • Rounding of Corners
  • Stabilize Your Base
  • Zones of Obscurity
  • Zones of Protection
  • Zones of Sanctuary


Related Techniques

Historical Notes

  • In the 1975 Accumulative Journal, Obstructing The Storm was Purple Belt Technique #14.
  • The 1975 Accumulative Journal indicates;
    • stepping toward 11:00 and facing 1:00 on the initial move.
    • stepping toward 2:00 to apply the arm bar.
    • 7:00 as the angle of departure.

Historical Versions

1975 Accumulative Journal

OBSTRUCTING THE STORM (front right overhead club)

  1. With feet together, have your left foot step slightly forward and to your left on a 45° angle (first moving toward 11 o’clock but ending facing 1 o’clock in a horse) as you cross your right wrist over your left to block opponent’s attacking hand at his right wrist at a level above your head and off of your right shoulder. (Opponent steps through with his right foot when attacking.)
  2. With your right hand, grab opponent’s right wrist as your left foot steps forward to 2 o’clock (cating around the leg if necessary) into a left neutral bow. Simultaneously strike opponent’s right elbow with your left forearm by first thrusting vertically and then horizontally forcing opponent’s right arm down while your right hand pulls in toward and past your right hip.
  3. Continue to push down and pull opponent’s arm to your right; forcing opponent’s head down.
  4. Immediately deliver a snapping right knee kick to opponent’s head or chest. This is done without raising the body.
  5. Replant your right foot to original position into a left neutral bow; left front crossover and cover out to 7 o’clock.

Infinite Insights Into Kenpo, Volume 5

OBSTRUCTING THE STORM (Front right step through overhead club)

  1. With your feet together, have your left foot step slightly forward and to your left on a 45° angle (first moving toward 11’0clock, but ending facing 1 o’clock in a horse stance) as you cross your right wrist over your left wrist (upward cross block) to block your opponent’s attacking hand at his right wrist, and at a level above your head and off of your right shoulder.
  2. Grab your opponent’s right wrist with your right hand as your left foot steps forward to 1 o’clock (“cat in and in front of ” your opponent’s left leg) into a left neutral bow.  Simultaneously strike your opponent’s right elbow with your left forearm positioned vertically. Without hesitation, roll your left forearm horizontally, and force your opponent’s right arm down as your right hand pulls in, down and past your right hip. This action could for your opponent’s head down, with the possibility of having his head strike your left knee.
  3. Immediately deliver a right snapping knee strike to your opponent’s head or chest while simultaneously pulling the club from out of your opponent’s right hand. This is done without raising your body.

NOTE: To become familiar with PHASE III, the FORMULATION PHASE, you may employ one of two variations:

  1. Plant your right foot forward while executing a whipping underhand club strike to your opponent’s face.

Or:

  1. Pivot (in place) into a left forward bow while simultaneously executing an underhand thrust with the end of the club to the right side of your opponent’s face.
  2. You may replant your right foot to your point of origin (into your let neutral bow facing 1 o’clock) after completing step number 4, or pivot (in place) into a left neutral bow after completing step number 5. In either case left front crossover and proceed with the routine cover out to 7 o’clock.

Bow of Compulsion (Purple #18)

KenpoTech on September 3, 2010

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Bow of Compulsion is the 18th required technique to obtain your purple belt in Ed Parker’s American Kenpo. Bow of Compulsion is a defense against a front wrist lock against the chest, placing it in the Locks & Chokes category of the Web of Knowledge as well as the Locks Family Group in the Chokes & Locks category of the family groups Grappling division.

In Bow of Compulsion you learn the value of reverse motion. Reversing moves already learned for one situation provides a defense for another. Throughout this technique you will couple reverse motion with other principles in order to defend yourself.

The Technique

Attack

In the ideal phase your opponent is directly in front of you (12:00), you attempt to push your opponent away with your right hand and he grabs your right hand with both hands and pins it to his chest and proceeds to apply a front wrist lock in order to force you to your knees.

In this situation your palm is against your opponent’s chest and your fingers are pointing upwards. As your opponent bends forward your fingers are bent backwards inflicting pain in your right fingers, wrist and forearm. This forces your body to begin bending forward and drop to your knees rendering you incapable of defending yourself.

Defense

Bow of Compulsion – defense for a front wrist lock pin.

  • Step 1
    • Pin the opponent’s hands with your left hand checking diagonally across them,
    • Step toward 12:00 with your right foot to form a right neutral bow stance,
    • Deliver a right vertical thrusting elbow strike to your opponent’s groin or solar plexus.
  • Step 2
    • Maintain your left hand guarding diagonally,
    • Drop into a right wide kneel stance with your back straight,
    • Rake your opponent’s testicles with a right downward vertical heel palm claw.
  • Step 3
    • Deliver a right underhand reverse handsword strike to your opponent’s groin.
  • Step 4
    • Deliver a right outward downward diagonal back knuckle strike to the inside of your opponent’s left knee.
  • Step 5
    • Pivot counter clockwise into a right reverse close kneel stance,
    • Deliver a right inward downward diagonal hooking punch to the inside of your opponent’s right knee.
  • Step 6
    • Right front crossover and cover out toward 7:30.

Considerations

  • What if…
    • your opponent forces you to your knees?
    • your opponent grabs your wrist with one hand?
    • your opponent attempts to kick you with his right leg while pinning your hand?
    • your opponent attempts to kick you with his left leg while pinning your hand?
    • you have something in your left hand/arm?
    • you are unable to free your right hand?

Notes

  • Make sure that you pin your opponent’s hands with your left in order to prevent action taken against you.
  • Note that you are relieving the pressure of the lock while you simultaneously counter your opponent’s aggression.
  • Ensure that your claw goes as low as your opponent’s knees in order to set up your reverse handsword strike.
  • Steps four and five should be one continuous motion in a figure eight pattern.

Variations

  • Some schools modify the first step by pinning and executing the elbow strike as they step forward and drop into a close kneel stance as the elbow strikes its target.
  • Some schools have chosen to end the technique with the upward handsword strike; note that the base technique does not end here.

Additional Information

Name

The manner in which the wrist lock is applied to your wrist is quite aggressive and compels you to bow forward in compliance. This gives us the name Bow of Compulsion.

Basics & Maneuvers

  • Right Front Step Through
  • Right Neutral Bow Stance
  • Right Downward Vertical Thrusting Elbow Strike
  • Right Wide Kneel Stance
  • Right Downward Vertical Heel Palm Claw
  • Right Reverse Handsword Strike
  • Right Outward Downward Back Knuckle
  • Right Reverse Close Kneel Stance
  • Right Inward Downward Hooking Punch
  • Right Front Crossover
  • Cover out

Targets

  • Solar Plexus
  • Groin
  • Left Inner Knee
  • Right Inner Knee

Concepts & Principles

  • Angle of Contact
  • Angle of Disturbance
  • Backup Mass
  • Bracing Angle
  • Collapsing Strike
  • Continuity of Motion
  • Contouring
  • Depth Penetration
  • Figure Eight Pattern
  • Fitting
  • Marriage of Gravity
  • Nip the Tip
  • Obscure Zones
  • Open Ended Triangle
  • Pinning Check
  • Pressing Check
  • Reverse Motion


Related Techniques

Historical Notes

  • In the 1975 Accumulative Journal, Bow of Compulsion was Purple Belt Technique #13.
  • The 1975 Accumulative Journal lists the angle of departure as 7:00.

Historical Versions

1975 Accumulative Journal

BOW OF COMPULSION (front wrist lock – against chest)

  1. With opponent pinning your right hand against his chest and with your feet parallel to each other, step forward (to 12 o’clock) with your right foot (right neutral bow) and use a right vertical elbow strike down to opponent’s solar plexus or groin, depending on the height of the opponent, as your left hand checks diagonally across opponent’s hands.
  2. With your left hand still guarding diagonally, drop down into a right wide kneel (keeping your back erect) as you drop your right hand down, raking opponent’s testicles with a right heel palm claw and immediately following up with a right underhand reverse handsword to opponent’s groin
  3. Immediately deliver a right hanging back fist to opponent’s left inner knee followed with a right inner hooking knuckle punch to opponent’s right inner knee.
  4. Cross your right foot in front of your left leg while you’re still kneeling and get up as you cover out to 7 o’clock..

Gift In Return (Purple #17)

KenpoTech on September 2, 2010

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Gift In Return is the 17th required technique to obtain your Purple Belt in Ed Parker’s American Kenpo. Gift In Return is a defense against a right handshake from the front, placing it in the Hugs and Holds category of the Web of Knowledge as well as the Hand Holds Family Group in the Hugs and Holds category of the family groups Grappling division.

In this technique you surprise your opponent by faking pain and then striking him in the groin with his own hand while moving you out of the line of attack and canceling his weapons by controlling his zones of protection. Controlling his height prevents him from kicking, controlling his width prevents use of his opposite arm and leg and controlling his depth will neutralize his power. Lastly this technique moves you to the rear of your opponent which allows you to strike a variety of targets, force compliance and humiliate your opponent without risk to yourself.

The Technique

Attack

In the ideal phase your opponent is directly in front of you (12:00). He takes your right hand with his right hand.

As mentioned in the first handshake technique, a handshake is generally a gesture of good will and makes you feel at ease by giving you a sense of trust in the individual.  A negative use of the handshake could simply be its deceptive nature.  By offering you the hand you become at east and then your opponent takes advantage of this to attack you.  Gift In Return can be used as an answer to some of the What-If Scenario’s as it serves well if your opponent is pulling you toward them or attempts to follow the handshake with a left punch.

Defense

Gift in Return – defense for a handshake.

  • Step 1
    • Step forward to 11:00 with your left foot to form a left neutral bow stance to the outside of your opponent’s right leg,
    • Deliver a left push down block to your opponent’s right arm,
    • Drive your opponent’s right hand into his groin with your right hand.
  • Step 2
    • Shift your left hand around the back of your opponent’s right leg to grab your opponent’s right wrist with your left hand.
    • Slide your right foot toward 10:30 to form a left neutral bow stance facing 4:30.
    • Pull your opponent’s right arm upwards with your left hand.
    • Push down on your opponent’s right hip with your right hand.
  • Step 3
    • Deliver a right snapping knife edge kick to the back of your opponent’s left knee.
    • Release your left hand grasp,
    • Maintain the check with your right hand.
  • Step 4
    • Plant your right foot between your opponent’s legs
    • Deliver a left knee strike to your opponent’s tail bone.
  • Step 5
    • With your left foot in the air execute a left front crossover
    • Cover toward 10:30.

Considerations

What if…

  • your opponent’s right leg is forward?
  • your opponent’s left left is forward?
  • your opponent attempts to throw a left punch?
  • your opponent yanks you forward?
  • your opponent attempts a shoulder throw?
  • your opponent grabs with both hands and attempts to crush your fingers?
  • your opponent thrusts a club at you with his right hand?

Notes

  • Practice this technique with multiple attackers who are positioned behind you and your opponent to see how their position alters your choice between Gift of Destruction and Gift in Return.
  • It is important that you remain close enough so that your left leg is hugging your opponent’s right leg and that your right shoulder is hugging your opponent’s right shoulder to help neutralize other attacks.
  • Note the relationship between Gift in Return and Dance of Death.
  • When pulling your opponent’s arm between his lefts, turning his wrist counter clockwise (palm down) will turn his elbow up bracing it against his groin
  • Try to note the reason for kicking your opponent’s left knee instead of his right.
  • Adjust your Angle of Alignment for the knee strike as you plant your foot from the knife edge kick this ensure Angle of Incidence.
  • Depending on circumstance you may need to plant your left foot after the knee strike. In this case just proceed with the left front crossover and cover out.

Additional Information

Name

The term gift in Ed Parker’s American Kenpo is used to represent a handshake. In this technique you will be returning your opponent’s gift (handshake) to him which gives us the name Gift in Return.

Basics & Maneuvers

  • Left Forward Step Through
  • Left Neutral Bow Stance
  • Left Push Down Block
  • Modified Right Push Down Block
  • Right Step Through Knife Edge Kick
  • Left Knee Strike
  • Left Front Crossover
  • Cover out

Targets

  • Right Hand/Wrist
  • Groin/Testicles
  • Back of the Left Knee
  • Tailbone (coccyx)

Concepts & Principles

  • Angle of Alignment
  • Angle of Cancellation
  • Angle of Departure
  • Angle of Disturbance
  • Counter Manipulation
  • Environmental Weapons
  • Hugging Check
  • Jamming
  • Leveraging
  • Opposing Forces
  • Point of Origin
  • Purposeful Compliance
  • Reverse Marriage of Gravity
  • Stabilizing Your Base
  • Zone of Sanctuary


Related Techniques

Historical Notes

  • In the 1975 Accumulative Journal, Gift In Return was Purple Belt technique #18
  • The 1975 Accumulative Journal indicates sliding your right foot toward 10:00 and that the angle of departure is also 10:00

Historical Versions

1975 Accumulative Journal

GIFT IN RETURN (front hand shake)

  1. With feet together and opponent squeezing your right hand with his right, step forward and to your left (to 11 o’clock) with your left foot (left neutral bow) to outside of opponent’s right leg but hugging and checking opponent’s leg with your left leg. Simultaneously deliver a strike to opponent’s groin with both his and your right hand with your left hand assisting you by thrusting down on opponent’s right forearm.
  2. Shift your left hand around and back of opponent’s right leg and grab opponent’s right wrist as your right foot shifts clockwise to 10 o’clock (into a left neutral bow). Immediately pull up with your left hand and push down against opponent’s right hip with your right hand to put pressure on opponent’s testicles as well as limit opponent’s leverage, thus nullifying his ability to kick.
  3. Immediately deliver a right step through knife-edge kick to the back of your opponent’s left knee while releasing your left hand grasp.
  4. Without any hesitation plant your right kicking foot along side of your left foot and deliver a left knee kick to opponent’s tail bone.
  5. With your left foot in the air (or after it plants forward, depending on circumstance), left front crossover and cover out to 10 o’clock.

Shield and Sword (Purple #16)

KenpoTech on August 31, 2010

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Shield and Sword is the 16th required technique to obtain your Purple belt in Ed Parker’s American Kenpo. Shield and Sword is a defense against a left step-through punch from the front, placing it in the Punches category of the Web of Knowledge as well as the Punches Family Group in the family groups Striking division.

In Shield and Sword you are acquainted with a diagonal deviation to evade your opponent’s punch and penetrate into his obscure zone.   This technique also prepares you for the ‘what if” scenario between the first and second moves. Despite your left extended outward block preceding your right inward handsword strike the forward bow stance can be readily dropped into a close kneel stance for added protection. Once the initial chop is delivered checking your opponent’s height and width zones of protection will thwart your opponent’s attempts at retaliation. Rotational force is used for each major strike as you strike to various zone of penetration.

The Technique

Attack

In the ideal phase your opponent is directly in front of you (12:00) in a right fighting stance. He steps forward with his left foot as he delivers a left straight punch toward your face.

Defense

Shield and Sword – defense for a left straight punch.

  • Step 1
    • Step forward on a 45° angle toward 1:30 with your right foot to form a right forward bow stance,
    • Deliver a left extended outward handsword block to the outside of your opponent’s left arm (at elbow).
    • Your right handsword cocks to your right ear (palm out).
  • Step 2
    • Pivot counterclockwise to form a right neutral bow stance.
    • Deliver a right inward handsword strike to the back of your opponent’s neck.
  • Step 3
    • Pivot clockwise to form a right forward bow stance facing 12:00
    • Deliver a left inward horizontal elbow strike to your opponent’s left lower ribcage
    • Your right hand checks your opponent’s left arm at the elbow.
  • Step 4
    • Slide your left foot toward 4:30 into a transitional right front twist stance
    • Hook your left hand out and down on top of your opponent’s left forearm (waiter’s check).
    • Unwind to form a right neutral bow stance facing 10:30.
    • Deliver a right inward horizontal hammerfist strike to your opponent’s left kidney.
  • Step 5
    • Deliver a right inward horizontal roundhouse kick to your opponent’s right kidney.
  • Step 6
    • Right front crossover and cover toward 4:30.

Considerations

  • What if…
    • your opponent does not step through?
    • your opponent throws a left roundhouse punch?
    • your opponent precedes his punch with a left kick?
    • your opponent precedes his punch with a right jab?
    • your opponent follows his punch with a right spinning back knuckle?
    • your opponent throws a right punch instead?
    • you are unable to slip to the outside of your opponent’s punch?

Notes

  • You should be mindful of whether or not the punch is actually a straight punch or a hooking punch. You do not want to step into a hooking punch when attempting to slip past a straight punch.
  • Practice with a partner who will alternate between straight punches and hook punches so that you become more accustomed to determining which type of punch is coming your way so that you can take the appropriate action.
  • Be sure to keep your angle of deviation, on the first move, tight; essentially hug your opponent.  If the angle is too wide (you step too far out) you will need to adjust your feet prior to executing the second move.

Variations

  • A right inward horizontal middle knuckle strike is sometimes used instead of a right inward raking hammerfist strike.
  • Any of the historical differences listed below are sometimes still taught

Additional Information

Name

The name of this technique is derived from the first two moves in the technique. The first move is your extended outward block which serves as your shield to shield you from your opponent’s punch. The second move is the handsword strike, represented as a sword.  Put these together and we have the name Shield and Sword.

Basics & Maneuvers

  • Right Front Step Through
  • Right Forward Bow Stance
  • Left Extended Outward Handsword Block
  • Right Neutral Bow Stance
  • Right Inward Horizontal Handsword Strike
  • Left Inward Horizontal Elbow Strike
  • Right Front Transitional Twist Stance
  • Right Inward Horizontal Hammerfist Strike
  • Right Front Roundhouse Kick
  • Right Front Crossover
  • Cover out

Targets

  • Outside Left Elbow
  • Back of the Neck (Cervical Vertebrae)
  • Left Lower Rib Cage
  • Left Kidney
  • Right Kidney

Concepts & Principles

  • Angle of Alignment
  • Angle of Cancellation
  • Angle of Deflection
  • Angle of Disturbance
  • Back Up Mass
  • Balance Compensation
  • Body Momentum
  • Bracing Angle
  • Contouring
  • Depth of Penetration
  • Double Factor
  • Marriage of Gravity
  • Point of Origin
  • Preparatory Cock
  • Sliding Check
  • Solidify Your Base
  • Torque
  • Zones of Obscurity
  • Zones of Penetration


Related Techniques

Historical Notes

  • Prior to 1975
    • you delivers a right minor inward parry as you stepped forward, prior to the left outward extended handsword strike.
    • you pivoted counter clockwise into a left close kneel stance to deliver the right inward handsword strike.
    • you pivoted clockwise into a right close kneel stance to deliver the left inward horizontal elbow strike.
  • In the 1975 Accumulative Journal…
    • you step toward 2:00 on the initial move
    • the angle of departure is 4:00
  • In the 1987 IKKA Studio Manual…
    • there is no mention of the transitional right twist stance but this stance is automatically created by simply sliding your foot to 4:30 as directed forcing you to untwist into the right neutral bow.

Historical Versions

1975 Accumulative Journal

SHIELD AND SWORD (front straight left punch)

  1. Standing with feet together, step forward and to your right on a 45° angle(toward 2 o’clock) with your right foot (into a right forward bow) as you deliver a left extended outward block to outside of opponent’s left step through punch. Have your right handsword cocked to the right side of your right ear, palm out.
  2. Immediately pivot to your left (into a horse) as you strike inward to opponent’s left neck with your right handsword (follow through with the chop so that the right palm of that hand faces up); cocking your left to your left hip.
  3. Shift in place into a right forward bow as you deliver a left horizontal inward elbow strike to opponent’s left ribcage and have your right hand check (bracing angle check) opponent’s left arm at his elbow.
  4. Shift your left foot counter clockwise to 4 o’clock (into a right front twist stance as your left hand hooks out and down at opponent’s left forearm.
  5. While pivoting counter clockwise out of the twist stance execute a right hammerfist strike to opponent’s left kidney. Immediately follow-up with a right roundhouse kick to opponent’s right kidney while completing the pivot.
  6. Right front crossover and cover out to 4 o’clock.

1987 IKKA Studio Manual

SHIELD AND SWORD (Front – Left Step Through Punch)

  1. Standing naturally, step forward and to your right on a 45 degree angle (toward 1:30) with your right foot into a right forward bow as you deliver a left extended outward block (use a handsword block) to the outside of your opponent’s left arm (at the elbow). Have your right handsword cock to the side of your right ear, palm out. (This should cancel the width of your opponent’s action.)
  2. Immediately pivot to your left (into a horse) as you strike with a right inward handsword to the back of your opponent’s neck (follow through with the chop so that it adds to checking your opponent’s height zones as your right forearm and elbow check your opponent’s left shoulder to minimize his leverage).  Simultaneously have your left hand check your opponent’s left arm. (This should drive your opponent’s head and body down.)
  3. Pivot into a right forward bow (facing 12 o’clock) as you deliver a left inward horizontal elbow strike to your opponent’s left lower ribcage and have your right hand check (Bracing Angle Check) your opponent’s left arm at his elbow.  (Your opponent will bend forward at the wait.)
  4. Shift your left foot counterclockwise toward 4:30 into a right neutral bow as your left hand hooks out and down (like a waiter carrying a tray) on top of your opponent’s left forearm.  Simultaneously with this action execute a right inward raking hammerfist strike to your opponent’s left kidney. (This should drive your opponent to his knees.)
  5. Immediately follow up with a right roundhouse kick to your opponent’s right kidney.
  6. Right front crossover and cover out toward 4:30.
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