Checking the Storm (EPAK Yellow #7)

KenpoTech on April 12, 2010

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Checking the Storm is the 7th technique required to obtain your Yellow Belt in Ed Parker’s American Kenpo.  Checking the Storm is a defense for right step through overhead club attack placing it in the Weapons category of the Web of Knowledge and the Sticks Family Group of the weapons category in the Family Groups Striking Division.

As this technique involves a dangerous overhead club atttack you will learn the importance of evasive footwork and setting positional blocks to deviate the course of your opponent’s weapon. You will also be introduced to disarming an opponent.

Defense

  • Step 1:
    • Step toward 3:00 with your right foot to form a horse stance,
    • Deliver a right inward parry.
    • Slide your left foot toward 3:00 to form a left 45° cat stance,
    • Deliver a left extended outward block.
  • Step 2:
    • Deliver a left front snapping ball kick to the groin.
  • Step 3:
    • Plant your left foot down towards 10:00 into a left front twist stance.
    • Deliver a right snapping knife edge kick to the inside of your opponent’s right knee.
  • Step 4:
    • Plat your right foot down towards 10:00 into a right neutral bow,
    • Deliver a right outward whipping back knuckle strike to your opponent’s temple.
  • Step 5:
    • Cover toward 6:00.

Additional Information

Name

In American Kenpo the term ‘storm’ is used to symbolize a club attack. Anything that has the word storm will involve a club attack.  Checking is a Kenpo principle that is used to restrain, hinder or prevent an opponent from taking action.  In Checking the Storm you will employ the checking principle to hinder your opponent’s overhead club strike.

Attack

In the ideal phase the attack is from the front and your attacker is in a left neutral bow. They step through with their right foot as they execute a right overhead club attack towards your head

Basics & Maneuvers Used

  • Right Side Step Through
  • 45 Cat Stance
  • Right Inward Parry
  • Left Extended Outward Handsword Block
  • Left Front Snapping Ball Kick
  • Left Front Twist Stance
  • Right Snapping Knife Edge Kick
  • Right Neutral Bow
  • Right Outward Horizontal Whipping Back Knuckle Strike

Targets

  • Right inner wrist
  • Groin or Bladder
  • Right Temple

Concepts & Principles Taught

  • Angle of Attack
  • Angle of Efficiency
  • Angle of Alignment
  • Evasion
  • Line of Attack
  • Orbital Change
  • Point of no Return
  • Zones of Protection


Considerations

  • What if …
    • Your opponent snaps his club back?
    • Your opponent strikes diagonally down towards your right?
    • Your opponent strikes diagonally down towards your left?
    • Your opponent does not step through very far?
    • Your opponent does not step through at all?
    • Your opponent attacks overhead with his left hand instead?
    • Your opponent changes the orbit of the overhead strike into an inward strike?
    • Your opponent changes the orbit of the overhead strike into an outward strike?

Related Techniques

  • Sword of Destruction
  • Calming the Storm
  • Obstructing the Storm
  • Circling the Horizon
  • Escape from the Storm

Historical Notes

  • The 1975 Accumulative Journal uses a left-right chicken kick with the left foot striking the groin and the right foot striking the solar plexus.
  • The 1975 Accumulative Journal ends after the kicks with you planting your right kick back to 4:30 in a guard position, there is no back knuckle strike to the temple.
  • Neither the 1975 Accumulative Journal nor the 1987 IKKA Studio Manuals indicate an angle of departure.

Historical Versions

1975 Accumulative Journal Version

CHECKING THE STORM  (front right step-thru overhead club)

  1. Standing naturally with feet together, as opponent swings his club in an overhead fashion, at the last second step off quickly to the right with your right foot toward 3:00 and drag your left foot on toward your right into a left 45° cat stance facing towards 10:30, at the same time simultaneously execute a left upward extended outward block, utilizing your right hand in the double factor fashion, to stop as an open hand check in front of the solar-plexus.
  2. Immediately execute a left right chicken kick, with your left foot striking his groin, and your right foot striking his solar-plexus.
  3. From your right kick have your right foot plant down and back (toward 4:30) into a left neutral bow stance with your hand in the fighting position. (fists closed)
  4. No cover out is required.

Unfinished Yellow Belt Manual by Ed Parker

CHECKING THE STORM  (Front – right step-through overhead club)

  1. Standing naturally, as your opponent swings his club in an overhead fashion, quickly step off to your right with your right foot toward 3 o’clock. Simultaneously drag your left foot toward your right foot as you form a left 45 degree cat stance facing 10:30. Without a break in the flow of your action, execute a right inward parry followed by a left extended outward handsword block (striking block) to the inner wrist of your opponent’s right arm. During the natural flow of your motion have your right hand proceed to act as a check in front of your solar-plexus.
  2. Immediately execute a left front snap ball kick to your opponent’s groin. (This should cause your opponent to bend forward at the waist.)
  3. Be sure to properly gauge the distance between you and your opponent as you plant your left foot toward 10:00, and deliver a right step-through snapping knife-edge kick to the inside of your opponent’s right knee. (Your action should cause your opponent’s right knee to bend out and away from you, but cause his head to move closer to you.)
  4. Plant your right foot toward 10:00 into a right neutral bow, and, while employing MARRIAGE OF GRAVITY, execute a right outward back knuckle strike to your opponent’s left temple. Have your left hand remain checking at your solar plexus. (This action should drive your opponent’s head away from you and possibly cause his body to drop to the ground.)

Notes

Variations

The Grasp of Death (EPAK Yellow #6)

KenpoTech on April 12, 2010

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The Grasp of Death is the 6th technique required to obtain your Yellow Belt in Ed Parker’s American Kenpo.  The Grasp of Death is for a right arm headlock from the left flank placing it in the Locks & Chokes category of the Web of Knowledge and the Locks Family Group in the Family Groups Grappling division.

In Grasp of Death you will be introduced to flank attacks and this particular one is life threatening. You will learn how to pinch nerves in order to create a distraction in order to free yourself. You will realize that you do not have to be the stronger person in order to defend yourself. You will finally learn to apply an arm bar which can be used to control all three dimensional zones of your attacker.

Defense

  • Step 1:
    • Tuck your chin to the left against your chest.
    • Pull your opponent’s right wrist with you right hand, anchoring the elbow.
    • Step forward with your right foot towards 12:00 forming a right close kneel stance.
    • With your left hand reach between your opponent’s legs to grab the right inner thigh and pinch the fleshy area.
  • Step 2:
    • Bring your opponent’s right arm over your head and in front of your body pulling his right wrist to your right hip.
  • Step 3:
    • Step toward 10:30 with your left foot to form a left neutral bow stance.
    • Strike the back of your opponent’s right elbow with a left hammering inward block pushing forward and down creating a right arm bar.
    • Slap your left hand over your opponent’s right elbow for better control.
  • Step 4:
    • Hugging your opponent’s right arm against your body with your left hand.
    • Deliver a right snapping inverted vertical punch to the base of your opponent’s skull
  • Step 4:
    • Cover toward 1:30.

Additional Information

Name

The name of the technique, The Grasp of Death, is derived from the severe nature of the attack as the attacker’s grasp can prove fatal if not properly and quickly defended against.

The original name for this technique was The Pincher. This was changed along with the swapping of 3 yellow belt techniques in the second version of the 24 technique manual.

Attack

Ideal phase of attack has the opponent  on your left flank (9:00) with their right arm wrapped around the back of your neck firmly securing your head in a vice like grip while pulling you down.

A headlock is a type of attack used by someone who is typically confident that they are stronger than you.  The grasp can break your neck, cut off blood flow to the brain, or close off the throat keeping you from breathing.  This type of attack can end in unconsciousness, injury, brain damage and even death.

Basics & Maneuvers Used

  • Front Step Through
  • Close Kneel Stance
  • Neutral Bow Stance
  • Arm Bar Lock
  • Transitional Forward Bow Stance
  • Downward Snapping Inverted Vertical Punch

Targets

  • Right Inner Thigh/Femoral Nerve
  • Right Elbow
  • Right Mastoid/Base of the Skull

Concepts & Principles Taught

  • Contouring
  • Distraction
  • Fitting
  • Fulcrum
  • Joint Lock
  • Leveraging
  • Rolling Check


Considerations

  • What if …
    • your attacker is punching you with his left hand?
    • your attacker pins your right arm with his right arm as he applies the headlock?
    • your attacker is running you forward into an object?
    • your attacker tries to pick you up while in the headlock?
    • You are on your hands and knees when attacked and you are being pulled up?
    • a second opponent approaches from the front?

Related Techniques

Historical Notes

  • In the first manual for the 24 technique system, The Grasp of Death was called The Pincher.
  • The 1987 IKKA Studio Manuals did not indicate that the right snapping vertical punch should be inverted but it did in the 1975 Accumulative Journal.
  • Neither the 1975 Accumulative Journal nor the 1987 IKKA Studio Manuals indicate an Angle of Departure.

Historical Versions

1975 Accumulative Journal

THE GRASP OF DEATH  (left flank right arm headlock)

  1. With you bent over forward at the waist and opponent standing upright and applying a right arm headlock, simultaneously grab his right wrist with your right hand as you step forward right toward 12 O’clock into a right close kneel stance, immediately reach up in between his legs (as high as you can get) and grab the flesh with all four fingers to pinch (horse bite) his leg. (be sure you are checking the outside of his right leg with your left knee)
  2. As opponent releases his grip, bring his right arm over your head and down past your right vertical forearm (which acts as a check) while you stand up tall into a right neautral bow stance.
  3. Immediately step through left into a left neutral bow stance as you use your left arm to push his right elbow forward and down (arm-bar) to cause him to step forward with his left foot, (this also forces him to bend over at the waist) as you place his right arm across your thighs. Move your left arm into a left hand grab at his elbow (for better control).
  4. Execute a right downward inverted vertical punch to the base of the opponent’s seull or neck near his right mastoid bone.
  5. No cover out is required.

Unfinished Yellow Belt Manual by Ed Parker

GRASP OF DEATH (left flank – right arm headlock)

  1. With your head forced to bend forward, and your opponent to your left flank (applying a headlock with his right arm), initiate your action by simultaneously, (1) tucking your chin to the left and against your chest, (2) grabbing your opponent’s right wrist with your right hand, (3) stepping forward toward 12 o’clock into a right close kneel stance and (4) grabbing your opponent’s right inner thigh with your left hand, and pinching the flesh of that leg with as much strength as possible. Your opponent will experience a horse-bite effect if it is done correctly. Be sure to continue checking the outside of your opponent’s right leg with your left knee during the course of your action. (Your opponent’s right knee may bend and double up, or his leg may pop forward and up off the ground. In addition, your efforts should cause your opponent to loosen his grip.)
  2. As your opponent reacts to your pinch, and partially or totally releases his grip, have your right hand bring his right arm over your head and down to your chest, making sure that your right elbow is anchored to aid you in controlling your opponent’s height and width.
  3. Immediately release the grip of your left hand, and simultaneously (1) have your left foot step forward (in front of your opponent’s right leg) toward 10:30 into a left neutral bow stance, (2) strike the back of your opponent’s right elbow with your left forearm while (3) pulling in and toward you with your right hand. (This action should cause your opponent to step forward with his left foot prior to bending over at the waist.)
  4. ROLL your left forearm on the back of your opponent’s right elbow until your left forearm is parallel to the ground. Now slide your left hand to your opponent’s right elbow. While controlling your opponent’s right elbow with your left hand, pivot into a left forward bow facing 10:30. Immediately execute a right snapping vertical punch to the base of your opponent’s skull behind his right mastoid bone. (This action should cause your opponent’s head to move away, and possibly result in his body falling to the ground.)

Notes

Versions

Captured Twigs (EPAK Yellow #5)

KenpoTech on April 12, 2010

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Captured Twigs is the 5th technique required to attain your Yellow Belt in Ed Parker’s American Kenpo. Captured Twigs is a defense against a rear bear hug, arms pinned placing it in the Hugs & Holds category of the Web of Knowledge as well as the Bear Hug Family Group in the Hugs & Holds category of the Family Groups Grappling Division.

This will be the first technique that doesn’t retreat from the attack while defending as you are unable to. Instead you will step sideways, while dropping your weight as you learn to adapt to an otherwise overbearing attack and to recognize the availability of targets and weapons.

Defense

  • Step 1:
    • Step toward 9:00 with your left foot to form a horse stance,
    • Left hand pins the opponent’s hands,
    • Deliver a right back hammerfist strike to the groin.
  • Step 2:
    • Slide your right foot back as you face 3:00 to form a right 90° cat stance facing 3:00
    • With your left pinning hand, execute a left push down block to clear your opponent’s arms down and away from you
    • Deliver a right upwards snapping obscure elbow strike.
  • Step 3:
    • Immediately deliver a right heelstomping kick to the instep of the arch.
  • Step 4:
    • Cover toward 12:00.

Additional Information

Name

Twigs is a symbolic term for arms. In this technique your arms are pinned against your body thus captured.  Hence the name Captured Twigs.

Attack

In the ideal phase, the attacker is directly behind you with his arms wrapped around you, pinning your arms against your body, near your biceps.

A bearhug is commonly used in the streets to give the attacker an advantage.  This advantage enables the attacker to pick you up and throw you, hold you down for others to attack you, squeeze you causing pain, discomfort and injury or simply to intimidate you.

Basics & Maneuvers Used

  • Horse Stance
  • Downward Back Hammerfist Strike
  • 90° Cat Stance
  • Push Down Block
  • Side Stomping Kick
  • Upward Snapping Vertical Obscure Elbow Strike

Targets

  • Groin
  • Chin
  • Inner Ankle/Top of Foot Arch

Concepts & Principles Taught

  • Borrowed Force
  • Contouring
  • Marriage of Gravity
  • Obscure Zone
  • Torque


Considerations

  • What if …
    • your arms are free instead of pinned?
    • your left arm is pinned but your right arm is free?
    • your right arm is pinned but your left arm is free?
    • your opponent’s arms are at your shoulder level?
    • your opponent’s arms are at your waist level?
    • your opponent’s arms are around your throat?
    • your opponent picks you up off the ground before you plant down?
    • your hands are in your pocket when grabbed?
    • your hands are crossed in front of your chest as you are grabbed?
    • your feet are further apart than expected?

Related Techniques

  • Obscure Wing
  • Crushing Hammer
  • Squeezing the Peach
  • Spiraling Twig
  • Squatting Sacrifice

Historical Notes

  • Both the 1975 Accumulative Journal and the 1987 IKKA Studio Manuals have you deliver a right downward heel stomp to the attacker’s instep before the obscure elbow.
  • The 1987 IKKA Studio Manuals have you reset into a horse stance after the heel stomp, before executing the Obscure Elbow
  • The 1975 Accumulative Journal and the 1987 IKKA Studio Manuals do not indicate an Angle of Departure

Historical Versions

1975 Accumulative Journal

CAPTURED TWIGS  (rear bear hug around waist arms pinned)

  1. With feet together and opponent’s arms around you, step off left toward 9 o’clock with your left foot into a horse stance, as you simultaneously pin your opponent’s hands with your left  hand.
  2. Just as your weight settles into your horse stance execute a  right back hammer fist strike to the groin of your opponent.
  3. Immediately release your pinning hand and as you bring your right foot into a cat stance (90○ facing 3 o’clock) swing your  right hand around in front of your groin as a cover and a  clearing motion to spread your opponent’s arms, and at the same time lift your left hand up in front of your face to act as a position check if needed.
  4. Immediately execute a right stomp to arch of opponent’s left foot followed immediately by a right upward obscure elbow to the point of his chin. (this is a snapping motion as your arm should drop right back down to act as a cover for your groin).
  5. No cover out is required.

Unfinished Yellow Belt Manual by Ed Parker

CAPTURED TWIGS (rear – bear hug with arms pinned)

  1. Standing naturally, with your opponent’s arms around your arms, step to 9 o’clock with your left foot into a horse stance (while looking over your right shoulder), and simultaneously pin your opponent’s hands to your body with your left hand. Just as your weight settles into your horse stance, execute a right back hammerfist strike to your opponent’s groin. (This action should cause your opponent to bend forward at the waist, and possibly release his grasp.)
  2. Immediately slide your right foot into a right cat stance (turning 90 degrees while facing 3 o’clock) as your left hand releases the pin, clears your opponent’s right arm, and covers in front of your face as a positional check. Simultaneously with the action of your left arm have your right hand cover your groin, and proceed to clear your opponent’s left arm.
  3. Execute a right heel stomp kick to your opponent’s left instep, causing your opponent to bend forward even further.
  4. Slide your right foot back toward 3:00 into a horse stance. Immediately have your right forearm CONTOUR (track) up the middle of your opponent’s body as you execute a right vertical obscure elbow strike to the underside of your opponent’s chin. Have your right arm snap back after the strike, and cover your groin. (Your opponent’s head should have been popped up and back, and his body may also spin away from you if done properly.)

Notes

Variations

Deflecting Hammer (EPAK Yellow #4)

KenpoTech on April 12, 2010

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Deflecting Hammer is the 4th technique required to obtain your Yellow Belt in Ed Parker’s American Kenpo.  This technique is for defense against a right thrust kick placing it in the Kicks category of the Web of Knowledge as well as the Kicks family group in the Family Groups Striking division.

In Deflecting Hammer you will learn how to create distance by changing angles as well as how to convert a long range defense into a short range weapon in one continuous action.

Defense

  • Step 1
    • Step towards 7:30 with your left foot to form a right neutral bow stance,
    • Deliver a right outward downward diagonal block (from 11:00 to 5:00) to the outside of your opponent’s right leg.
  • Step 2
    • Execute a forward shuffle.
    • Deliver a left thrusting heel palm to your opponent’s right arm between the elbow and shoulder.
    • Have your right arm continue on its path past the kick into a right inward horizontal elbow strike to your opponent’s ribs or face.
  • Step 3
    • Cover toward 6:00.

Additional Information

Name

The name comes from the idea that you are deflecting your opponent’s kick with a downward block in a hammering motion.

Attack

The Ideal Phase has the attacker directly in front of you delivering a right step through thrusting ball kick to your groin or abdomen.  It is important to note that your attacker is attempting to kick through you with all of his weight behind the kick.

Basics & Maneuvers Used

  • Left Reverse Step Through
  • Right Neutral Bow
  • Right Outward Downward Diagonal Block
  • Right Push-Drag (Forward Shuffle)
  • Left Thrusting Heel Palm
  • Right Inward Horizontal Elbow Strike

Targets

  • Outer Leg
  • Right Rib Cage or Face

Concepts & Principles Taught

  • Angle of Deflection
  • Body Momentum
  • Borrowed Force
  • Catapulting
  • Closing the Gap
  • Continuous Flow of Action
  • Opening the Gap
  • Torque


Considerations

  • What if …
    • the kick is a low kick towards your knees?
    • the kick is a high kick towards your head?
    • the kick is a right thrusting knife edge kick?
    • the kick is followed by a right punch?
    • the kick is preceded by a left punch
    • the attacker kicks with his left foot?
    • the attacker executes a snap kick and plants back?

Related Techniques

Historical Notes

  • Neither the 1975 Accumulative Journal nor the 1987 IKKA Manuals indicated an Angle of Departure.

Historical Version

1975 Accumulative Journal

DEFLECTING HAMMER  (right front thrust kick)

  1. With your feet together step back with your left foot into a right neutral bow stance as you execute a right deflecting downward block, against the outside of opponent’s kicking leg. (this Is done on a line from 11 o’clock to 5 O’clock)
  2. From your right neutral bow, execute a left inward check to outside of opponent’s right arm (at or above the elbow)
  3. Immediately shuffle forward (push drag) as you execute a right inward elbow strike to opponent’s right rib-cage or face, depending upon the circumstances
  4. No cover out is required.

Unfinished Yellow Belt Manual by Ed Parker

DEFLECTING HAMMER (front – right front thrust kick)

  1. Standing naturally, step back with your left foot toward 7:30 into a right neutral bow stance (to move out of your opponent’s Line of Attack), as you simultaneously execute a right outside downward diagonal block against the outside of your opponent’s right kicking leg. Be sure to have your left hand check at your solar plexus during your block. (Your opponent’s body should turn slightly to his left when your block is properly executed. Your block should, additionally, turn your opponent`s width, and cause injury to his leg.)
  2. Without hesitation, and while still in your right neutral bow, shuffle forward “with” a left sliding check down and onto your opponent’s right elbow. (Make sure your left hand checks your opponent`s forward momentum as well as the width of his upper body.) At the same time, your right hand and arm continue to circle, and will re-orbit (just as you conclude your forward shuffle) into an inward horizontal elbow strike to your opponent’s face. ( Your action should cause your opponent’s head to snap back, and possibly drop him to the ground.)
  3. Just as you conclude your forward shuffle, execute a left sliding check down and onto your opponent’s right elbow simultaneously “with” a right inward horizontal elbow strike to your opponent’s face. The body momentum obtained from your shuffle, coupled with the forward momentum of your opponent’s reaction, not only adds to the effects of borrowed force, but thoroughly checks your opponent’s depth zone as well. (The effects of both action should cause your opponent’s head to snap back and possibly have your opponent drop to the ground.)

Notes

Variations

Sword of Destruction (EPAK Yellow #3)

KenpoTech on April 12, 2010

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Sword of Destruction is the 3rd technique required to obtain your yellow belt in Ed Parker’s American Kenpo.  This technique is a defense against a left roundhouse punch, also known as a hook punch, placing it in the Punches category of the Web of Knowledge and the Punches Family Group of the Family Group Striking division.

This technique in its simplest form is essentially Delayed Sword performed for an attack from the opposite side, which in turn introduces you to reverse motion, how reaction can beat action and opposite motion. Like Delayed Sword can be used for a right push or a right punch, this technique will also work for a left push or a left shoulder grab or lapel grab.

  • Step 1
    • Step toward 6:00 with your left foot to form a right neutral bow stance,
    • Deliver a right extended outward block,
    • Left hand covers low.
  • Step 2
    • Deliver a right front snapping ball kick.
  • Step 3
    • Plant your right foot forward into a right neutral bow stance.
    • Deliver a right snapping inward downward diagonal handsword strike.
  • Step 4
    • Cover toward 6:00.

Additional Information

Name

In American Kenpo Names the term destruction is used to symbolize an action coming from or going to the left side of the body.  In this technique, your defense ends with a handsword (sword) strike to the left side (destruction) of the opponent’s neck.  Thus, Sword of Destruction serves as a reminder to the main element of this technique; a handsword (sword) strike to the left side (destruction) of the opponent’s neck.

Attack

The ideal phase of this technique has the attacker directly in front of you in a right fighting stance. He then steps forward with his left foot as he executes a left roundhouse punch to your head.

A roundhouse punch, also known as a hook punch, is a very common type of punch used by street fighters.  This type of punch generates a tremendous amount of power due to the torque generated by the rotation of the body and shoulders and can cause serious injury if it makes contact.  Timing is critical to avoid having this punch make contact

Basics & Maneuvers Used

  • Left Reverse Step Through
  • Right Neutral Bow Stance
  • Right Extended Outward Block
  • Left Positional Check
  • Right 45° Cat Stance (transitional)
  • Right Front Snapping Ball Kick
  • Right Inward Downward Diagonal Handsword Strike

Targets

  • Radius bone or radial nerve
  • Groin or bladder
  • Left side of the neck

Concepts & Principles Taught

  • Angle of Cancellation
  • Angle of Disturbance
  • Backup Mass
  • Balance Compensation
  • Borrowed Reach
  • Contouring
  • Controlling the Gap
  • Detaining Block
  • Dimensional Zones Concept
  • Marriage of Gravity
  • Positional Check
  • Preparatory Cocking Check
  • Rebounding Check
  • Reverse Motion
  • Torque


Considerations

  • What if the attacker…
    • follows his left punch with a right punch?
    • attempts a right punch instead of a left?
    • throws a right punch followed by  a left punch?
    • follows his left punch with a kick?
    • throws a high left roundhouse kick?
    • throws a low left roundhouse kick?

Related Techniques

Historical Notes

  • The 1975 Accumulative Journal indicates that your right hand should snap back to check your opponent’s left inner wrist.
  • The 1987 IKKA Manuals indicate that your right hand should snap back to check your opponent’s left shoulder
  • Neither the 1975 Accumulative Journal nor the 1987 IKKA Manuals indicate an angle of departure.

Historical Versions

1975 Accumulative Journal

SWORD OF DESTRUCTION  (left straight or round house punch)

  1. With your feet together step back with your left foot into a right neutral bow stance as you execute a right extended outward strike to left inner wrist of opponent’s left punch at this point you lift hand is covering near your solar-plexus).
  2. From your right neutral bow stance immediately deliver a right front snap ball kick to your opponent’s groin.
  3. As you plant down (employing marriage of gravity) execute a right inward handsword strike to the left side of your opponent’s neck.
  4. Immediately snap your right hand back to the inner wrist of opponent’s left arm to act as a check  (keeping your hand open, palm up, finger pointing away from you and your right elbow anchored down to protect your right rib cage).
  5. No cover out is required.

Unfinished Yellow Belt Manual by Ed Parker

SWORD OF DESTRUCTION (front – left straight or roundhouse punch)

  1. Standing naturally, step back with your left foot toward 6:00 into a right neutral bow stance (facing 12:00), as you simultaneously execute a right extended outward block to the inner forearm of your opponent’s left punch. Your left hand should be in a positional check, covering your solar-plexus.
  2. Immediately slide your right foot back into a 45 degree cat stance.
  3. Without hesitation deliver a right front snap ball kick to your opponent’s groin. (Your kick should cause your opponent to bend forward at the waist.)
  4. While planting your right foot forward, inside of your opponent’s left leg, and into a right neutral bow (facing 12:00), employ Marriage of Gravity as you execute a right inward handsword strike to the left side of your opponent’s neck. (This action should cause your opponent to fall to the ground.)
  5. Immediately snap your right hand back to the left shoulder of your opponent to act as a check.

Notes

Variations