Shield and Sword (Purple #16)

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.

Related Techniques

• Glancing Salute (O-8)
• Repeating Mace (O-14)
• Reversing Mace (O-19)
• Snapping Twig (P-2)
• Parting Wings (P-9)
• Shield and Mace (B-10)
• Clipping the Storm (G-22)
• Rotating Destruction (3Br-4)
• Twirling Hammers (2Br-2)
• Aggressive Twins

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.