Striking Set #1

KenpoTech on January 18, 2011

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Striking Set 1 is the first set required to attain your Blue Belt in Ed Parker’s American Kenpo. Striking Set 1 illustrates the different ways that our arms can move for the purpose of striking.

Striking Set 1

OPENING: Attention Stance, Bow, Drop into a meditating horse stance. Chamber both hands at their respective hips (fist clenched, palm up).

  • Section 1 – Single Strikes toward 12:00 (16 moves)
    • Set A:  Horizontal Thrust Punch – Rolling Back Knuckle Strike (4)
      1. Deliver a right horizontal thrust punch toward 12:00 at sternum level.
      2. Execute a right rolling back knuckle strike to face level.
      3. Deliver a left horizontal thrust punch toward 12:00 at sternum level as your right hand chambers to your right hip.
      4. Immediately execute a left rolling back knuckle strike to face level
    • Set B:  Horizontal Thrust Punch – Rolling Underhand Hammerfist Strike (4)
      1. Deliver a right horizontal thrust punch toward 12:00 at sternum level as your left hand chambers at your left hip.
      2. Immediately execute a right rolling underhand hammerfist strike to groin level.
      3. Deliver a left horizontal thrust punch toward 12:00 at sternum level as your right hand chambers at your right hip.
      4. Immediately execute a left rolling underhand hammerfist strike to groin level.
    • Set C:  Horizontal Thrust Punch – Inverted Roundhouse Punch (4)
      1. Deliver a right horizontal thrust punch toward 12:00 at sternum level as your left hand chambers at your left hip.
      2. Deliver a right inverted vertical roundhouse punch to temple level.
      3. Deliver a left horizontal thrust punch toward 12:00 at sternum level as your right hand chambers at your right hip.
      4. Deliver a left inverted vertical roundhouse punch to temple level.
    • Set D:  Horizontal Thrust Punch – Inward Chopping Hammerfist (4)
      1. Deliver a right horizontal thrust punch toward 12:00 at sternum level as your left hand chambers at your left hip.
      2. Deliver a right inward chopping hammerfist strike to kidney level.
      3. Deliver a left horizontal thrust punch toward 12:00 at sternum level as your right hand chambers at your right hip.
      4. Deliver a left inward chopping hammerfist strike to kidney level.
  • Section 2:  Single strikes toward 3:00 and 9:00 (16 moves)
    • Set A:  Vertical Thrust Punch – Rolling Back Knuckle Strike (4)
      1. Deliver a right vertical thrust punch toward 3:00 at face level as your left hand chambers at your left hip.
      2. Deliver a right rolling back knuckle strike toward 3:00 at face level.
      3. Deliver a left vertical thrust punch toward 3:00 at face level as your right hand chambers at your right hip.
      4. Deliver a left rolling back knuckle strike toward 3:00 at face level.
    • Set B:  Vertical Thrust Punch – Rolling Underhand Hammerfist Strike (4)
      1. Deliver a right vertical thrust punch toward 3:00 at face level as your left hand chambers at your left hip.
      2. Deliver a right rolling underhand hammerfist toward 3:00 at groin level.
      3. Deliver a left vertical thrust punch toward 3:00 at face level as your right hand chambers at your right hip.
      4. Deliver a left rolling underhand hammerfist toward 3:00 at groin level.
    • Set C:  Vertical Thrust Punch – Inverted Vertical Roundhouse Punch (4)
      1. Deliver a right vertical thrust punch toward 3:00 at face level as your left hand chambers at your left hip.
      2. Deliver a right inverted vertical roundhouse punch toward 3:00 at temple level.
      3. Deliver a left vertical thrust punch toward 3:00 at face level as your right hand chambers at your right hip.
      4. Deliver a left inverted vertical roundhouse punch toward 3:00 at temple level.
    • Set D:  Vertical Thrust Punch – Chopping Hammerfist Strike (4)
      1. Deliver a right vertical thrust punch toward 3:00 at face level as your left hand chambers at your left hip.
      2. Deliver a right inward chopping hammerfist toward 3:00 at kidney level.
      3. Deliver a left vertical thrust punch toward 3:00 at face level as your right hand chambers at your right hip.
      4. Deliver a left inward chopping hammerfist toward 3:00 at kidney level.
  • Section 3:  Double Strikes toward 12:00 (12 moves)
    • Set A:  Horizontal Thrust Punches – Rolling Back Knuckle Strikes (3)
      • Chamber your left hand at your left hip (fist clenched, palm up).
      • Deliver simultaneous right and left horizontal thrust punches toward 12:00 at sternum level.
      • Deliver simultaneous right and left rolling back knuckle strikes toward 12:00 at face level.
    • Set B :  Horizontal Thrust Punch – Rolling Underhand Hammerfist (3)
      • Chamber both hands at their respective hips (fist clenched, palm up).
      • Deliver simultaneous right and left horizontal thrust punches toward 12:00 at sternum level.
      • Deliver simultaneous right and left rolling underhand hammerfists toward 12:00 at groin level.
    • Set C:  Horizontal Thrust Punch – Inverted Vertical Roundhouse Punch (3)
      • Chamber both hands at their respective hips (fist clenched, palm up).
      • Deliver simultaneous right and left horizontal thrust punches toward 12:00 at sternum level.
      • Deliver simultaneous right and left inverted vertical roundhouse punches toward 12:00 at temple level.
    • Set D:  Horizontal Thrust Punch – Inward Chopping Hammerfist (3)
      • Chamber both hands at their respective hips (fist clenched, palm up).
      • Deliver simultaneous right and left horizontal thrust punches toward 12:00 at sternum level.
      • Deliver simultaneous right and left inward chopping hammerfists toward 12:00 at kidney level.
  • Section 4:  Double Strikes toward 3:00 and 9:00 (12 moves)
    • Set A:  Vertical Thrust Punch – Rolling Back Knuckle (4)
      • Chamber both hands at their respective hips (fist clenched, palm up).
      • Deliver a simultaneous right vertical thrust punch toward 3:00 and left vertical thrust punch toward 9:00 at face level.
      • Deliver a simultaneous right rolling back knuckle strike toward 3:00 and left rolling back knuckle strike toward 9:00 at face level.
    • Set B:  Vertical Thrust Punch – Rolling Underhand Hammerfist (3)
      • Chamber both hands at their respective hips (fist clenched, palm up).
      • Deliver a simultaneous right vertical thrust punch toward 3:00 and left vertical thrust punch toward 9:00 at face level.
      • Deliver a simultaneous right rolling underhand hammerfist toward 3:00 and left rolling underhand hammerfist toward 9:00 at groin level.
    • Set C:  Vertical Thrust Punch – Inverted Vertical Roundhouse Punch (3)
      • Chamber both hands at their respective hips (fist clenched, palm up).
      • Deliver a simultaneous right vertical thrust punch toward 3:00 and left vertical thrust punch toward 9:00 at face level.
      • Deliver a simultaneous right inverted vertical roundhouse punch toward 3:00 and left inverted vertical roundhouse punch toward 9:00 at temple level.
    • Set D:  Vertical Thrust Punch – Inward Chopping Hammerfist (2)
      • Chamber both hands at their respective hips (fist clenched, palm up).
      • Deliver a simultaneous right vertical thrust punch toward 3:00 and left vertical thrust punch toward 9:00 at face level.
      • Deliver a simultaneous right inward chopping hammerfist toward 3:00 and left inward chopping hammerfist toward 9:00 at kidney level.
  • Section 5:  Flowing Double Strikes toward 12:00 (7 moves)
    1. Chamber both hands at their respective hips (fist clenched, palm up)
    2. Bring your left foot to your right foot as you deliver simultaneous right and left horizontal thrust punches toward 12:00 at sternum level.
    3. Deliver simultaneous right and left rolling back knuckle strikes toward 12:00 at face level.
    4. Deliver simultaneous right and left rolling underhand hammerfists toward 12:00 at groin level.
    5. Deliver simultaneous right and left inverted vertical roundhouse punches toward 12:00 at temple level.
    6. Deliver simultaneous right and left inward chopping hammerfists toward 12:00 at kidney level.
    7. Cross your right hand over your left hand and chamber both hands at their respective hips (fist clenched, palm up)

CLOSE: Bring your right foot to your left foot and out into a meditating horse stance, facing 12:00. Come to an attention stance. Bow.

Striking Set 1 Contains

  • Strikes
    • Punches
      • Horizontal Thrust Punch (Straight Thrust Punch)
      • Vertical Thrust Punch
      • Inverted Vertical Roundhouse Punch
    • Hammerfists
      • Rolling Underhand Hammerfist
      • Inward Chopping Hammerfist
    • Back Knuckles
      • Rolling Back Knuckle Strike
    • Simultaneous Strikes
  • Stances
    • Attention Stance
    • Horse Stance

Striking Set 1 Teaches

  • How to readily switch targets.
  • How to strike with various parts of the clenched fist.
  • How to readily convert from a strike with the front portion of the fist to strikes with other potions of the fist.
  • How to attack height, width and depth zones.
  • “where linear moves end, circular moves begin”.
  • How to strike with the same weapon to the side as well as to the front.
  • How to strike simultaneously with both hands.

Notes

  • When practicing, be sure to maintain the proper dimensions of your horse stance.
  • Practice this set with weights.
  • Be sure to pronounce your moves when first learning this set.
  • Remember that “slow moves eliminate bad habits”.
  • Study various breathing patterns during this set.
  • Convert your fists into other useful weapons.
  • Practice this set with various rhythmic timings.
  • Partner Work:
    • Have a partner stand in front of you as a target.
    • Have a partner block all of your strikes.
    • Have a partner place the palm of his hands on your fists and provide varying degrees of resistance to your strikes.
    • Have your partner place the palm of his hands on your fists and follow the paths of your strikes maintaining the same amount of pressure throughout your motions, both forward and reverse.
    • Have your partner defend against your set of movements utilizing the Star Block.
    • Practice the set with a partner, in a fighting stances.
    • Practice the set with a partner, both in fighting stances, as a freestyle session.

Tripping Arrow (Blue #12)

KenpoTech on January 17, 2011

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Tripping Arrow is the 12th technique required to obtain your Blue Belt in Ed Parker’s American Kenpo.  Tripping Arrow is a defense against a Front Bear Hug with your arms free, placing it in the Hugs & Holds category of the Web of Knowledge and the Bear Hug Family Group in the in the Holds & Hugs category of Grappling division.

Tripping Arrow is designed to teach you the concept of a strikedown counterbalanced with a buckle and how to make use of a forward bow stance to buckle and trip your opponent.  While the initial move of Tripping Arrow appears to leave you open you prevent your opponent’s retaliation by controlling his Height Zones.  Several new basics will be utilized for close range striking and the striking of your opponent’s lower height zones which brings us to Tripping Arrow’s introduction of strikedowns.

Many styles of Martial Arts use takedowns to force their opponent to the ground.  Takedowns utilize the throwing actions to force and opponent to the ground, and it is the impact with the ground that causes the initial injury.  Although considered a takedown, strikedowns are much more effective.  Since you are striking your opponent to the ground, his injury occurs instantly, as well as with the resultant impact with the ground.  Strikedowns are often counterbalanced with buckles.

The Technique

Attack

In the ideal phase your attacker is directly in front of you (12:00) and grabs you in a bear hug, leaving your arms free.

Defense

Tripping Arrow —  front bear hug, arms free.

  • Step 1
    • Step toward 9:00 with your left foot to form a horse stance,
    • Your left hand grabs your opponent’s right shoulder and pulls downward,
    • Deliver a right inward horizontal heel palm strike to your opponent’s left jaw hinge (finger in, thumb down).
  • Step 2
    • Circle your right foot clockwise, around and behind your opponent’s right leg (toward 4:30) and buckle it by planted firmly into a horse stance,
    • Simultaneously circle your right hand counter clockwise, delivering a right overhead inward downward elbow strike to your opponent’s chest as you cock your right hand, palm up and out, at your right shoulder.
  • Step 3
    • Pivot counterclockwise toward 9:00 form a left forward bow stance,
    • Deliver a right thrusting heel palm strike to your opponent’s jaw,
    • Maintain a grab on your opponent’s right arm with your left hand as he falls to the ground and reinforce this by grabbing with the right hand as well.
  • Step 4
    • Pull upward on your opponent’s right arm with both of your hands,
    • Deliver a right thrusting heel stomp into your opponent’s right armpit.
  • Step 5
    • Release your opponent’s arm,
    • Sweep your opponent’s right arm with a right front crossover sweep toward 4:30
    • Cover out twice.

Considerations

  • What if…
    • your arms are pinned?
    • your opponent lifts you off the ground?
    • your opponent buries his head into your chest?
    • your opponent grabs onto your right arm as he falls?
    • your opponent is taller than you?

Notes

  • The first move will pin your opponent’s right arm, underneath your left arm as you lower your center of mass and shift your opponent’s weight to his right leg.  It is vital that you pull downward on your opponent’s right shoulder as this will nullify his leverage preventing him from delivering an otherwise possible knee strike to your groin.
  • The circling motion of your right arm in a counter clockwise motion maintains a continuous motion, clears your opponent’s left arm and builds up power for the downward elbow strike to the sternum, culminating with the cocking of the right hand at the right shoulder.
  • It is important that you properly land in a horse stance and then shift into a forward bow.  Many students try to land in directly into the forward bow stance usually in an attempt to make the technique faster.  Proper form and timing are vital to this technique.  Practice timing the shift into the forward bow stance with the heel palm strike to the face.
  • On the heel stomp, depending on your opponent’s position, you may need to strike the chin, ribs or kidney. Placing it in the armpit can help facilitate a shoulder dislocation.
  • Note the similarities and differences between this technique and Snapping Twig.

Variations

  • Some schools teach a variation where you drive your left elbow into the opponent’s forearm on the initial move.  Keep in mind, the initial move as taught is designed to pin your opponent’s right arm under your left arm.

Additional Information

Name

In American Kenpo, the Forward Bow Stance used to be called the Bow and Arrow Stance. In this technique you use a forward bow and arrow stance as a means of tripping your opponent. Thus the name Tripping Arrow.

Basics & Maneuvers

  • Left Side Step Through
  • Horse Stance
  • Right Inward Hooking Heel Palm Strike
  • Right Overhead Inward Downward Elbow Strike
  • Left Forward Bow Stance
  • Right Thrusting Heel Palm Strike
  • Right Downward Heel Stomp
  • Front Crossover Sweep
  • Cover Out

Targets

  • Right Shoulder
  • Jaw (Mandible)
  • Sternum
  • Face
  • Right Armpit
  • Right Arm

Concepts & Principles

  • Anchor
  • Angle of Cancellation
  • Angle of Contact
  • Angle of Departure
  • Angle of Disturbance
  • Angle of Entry
  • Angle of Execution
  • Angle of Incidence
  • Backup Mass

Concepts & Principles (Con’t)

  • Body Alignment
  • Body Momentum
  • Bow and Arrow Stance
  • Buckle
  • Center of Mass
  • Double Check
  • Contouring
  • Control Manipulation
  • Counter Balance
  • Counter Manipulation
  • Diversified Angle of Retreat (with foot)
  • Economy of Motion
  • Fitting
  • Gravitational Check
  • Guidelining
  • Mid-Point Balance
  • Obscure Zones
  • Opposing Forces
  • Pinning Check
  • Point of Delivery
  • Point of Origin
  • Purposeful Release
  • Rounding The Corners
  • Sliding Check
  • Solidify Your Base
  • Strikedowns
  • Tripping
  • With


Related Techniques

Historical Notes

  • In the 1975 Accumulative Journal, Tripping Arrow was Blue Belt Technique #9.
  • The 1975 Accumulative Journal indicates the following differences for Tripping Arrow;
    • that you should circle your right leg toward 3:00
    • that you should circle your right arm clockwise to cock your right hand at your right shoulder.
    • that you should heel stomp your opponent’s chin.
    • that your angle of departure is 5:00

Historical Versions

1975 Accumulative Journal

TRIPPING ARROW (front bear hug — arms free)

  1. With feet together and opponent applying front bear hug with your arms free, step to your left with your left foot (to 9 o’clock) into a horse; simultaneously hooking your right heel of palm horizontally and in to strike opponent’s left jaw hinge. Your left hand is checking and anchoring your opponent’s right shoulder or arm by forcing and pulling it down thus nullifying opponent’s leverage and ability to deliver a right or left knee kick.
  2. Immediately circle your right foot clockwise and back and around of opponent’s right leg (to 3 o’clock) and buckle it by planting heavily into a horse stance. Right hand also circles clockwise and cocks at your right shoulder (palm up).
  3. Without hesitation, pivot to your left (toward 9 o’clock) into a left forward bow as you thrust your right heel of palm to jaw of opponent, thus tripping him over your right leg, still maintaining left hand grab on opponent’s right arm.
  4. With opponent on his back and your left hand grab now at opponent’s right wrist, have your right foot heel stomp under opponent’s chin. If your opponent turns from the momentum and slips out of your grasp, stomp kick to opponent’s right kidney or ribs.
  5. From stomp kick, release grasp and sweep opponent’s right arm with your right foot as you execute a right front crossover and cover out to 5 o’clock.

Retreating Pendulum (Blue #11)

KenpoTech on January 14, 2011

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Retreating Pendulum is the 11th technique required to obtain your Blue Belt in Ed Parker’s American Kenpo.  Retreating Pendulum is a defense against a right thrusting rear kick from the front, placing it in the Kicks Category of the Web of Knowledge as well as the Kicks Family Group in the Striking division.

In Retreating Pendulum you learn the tactical use of subliminal retreat where your depth of action is not as pronounced as when shuffling.  There is a finer margin for error but you will remain close enough to your opponent to give you greater spring when retaliating where you will employ the concept of bumping your opponent’s leverage points to unbalance him and hinder his ability to continue his attack. Special emphasis is placed upon relayed power through the use of a short circle of the right arm.

The Technique

Attack

In the ideal phase you are in a right neutral bow and your opponent is directly in front of you (12:00).  He proceeds to deliver a right thrusting heel kick toward your body.   It is assumed that your opponent is also in a right neutral bow and delivers the kick with a left rear crossover.

This kick can be delivered one of several ways and come from either a left or right neutral bow stance.   It is therefore vital to learn to identify kicks as they approach you to react accordingly.

Defense

Retreating Pendulum –  defense for a right back kick.

  • Step 1
    • Slide your right foot back toward 6:00, executing a right rear crossover, to form a left front twist stance,
    • Deliver a right downward diagonal block to the outside of your opponent’s right leg,
    • Your left hand checks near your right shoulder.
  • Step 2
    • Deliver a right snapping knife edge kick to your opponent’s left inner knee.
  • Step 3
    • Plant your right foot toward 12:00, forming a right neutral bow stance,
    • Deliver a right inward overheard hammerfist strike to your opponent’s neck,
    • Your left hand should check near your right arm pit.
  • Step 4
    • Pivot into a right reverse bow stance,
    • Deliver a right rear scoop kick to your opponent’s groin.
  • Step 5
    • Plant your right foot back between your opponent’s legs, approximately toward 1:30,
    • Shift into a right reverse bow stance to buckle the inside of your opponent’s right leg.
  • Step 6
    • Execute a right front crossover
    • Cover out twice toward 7:30.

Considerations

  • What if…
    • your opponent  starts in a left neutral bow and steps through executing a right thrusting knife edge kick?
    • your opponent starts in a left neutral bow and executes a right spinning heel kick?
    • your opponent starts in a right neutral bow and shuffles with a right thrusting heel kick?
    • your opponent aims his kick toward your leg?
    • your opponent executes a left spinning rear kick after his right kick
    • your opponent executes a right punch after his right kick?
    • your opponent fakes a rear thrusting heel kick and then executes a right outward hooking heel kick?

Notes

  • In some schools a rear heel kick delivered via a left rear crossover is called a crossing rear kick.
  • Practice differentiating between a rear kicks, back kicks and angled side kicks.
  • Notice how distance is maintained by executing a right rear crossover while your opponent executes a left rear crossover.
  • Your right foot should immediately spring back into the knife edge kick after retreating toward 6:00
  • Be sure to take full advantage of gravitational marriage when delivering the hammerfist strike by timing the delivery with the planting of your right foot.
  • Your hammerfist strike should be the result of one continuous motion from your block, again being sure to emphasis fluidity of motion.
  • When delivering the scoop kick to your opponent’s groin, it is important that you properly gauge distance as you deliver the kick therefore you may have to drag your left foot toward your right foot to ensure proper distance.
  • Examine how this technique as well as its family related techniques, Deflecting Hammer and Hugging Pendulum make use of the Zones of Attack.

Variations

  • This is another one of those techniques where schools vary on the attack itself.  Officially the attack in the ideal phase is a right thrusting heel kick delivered from a left rear crossover in which both you and your opponent begin in a right neutral bow stance.  Some schools will have your opponent in a left neutral bow delivering the kick with a right step through and others outright change the kick to a knife edge kick.  It goes without saying that this technique works great for more than one kick delivered more than one way.  It is vital, however, to learn the technique as it was designed in order to gain the full education experience and understand this technique’s place in the system.
  • A strike may be inserted so that it occurs simultaneously with the buckle at the end.  Two variants that come to mind are a right rear elbow strike to the back of the head/neck and a  right downward rear heel palm strike usually to the spine.

Additional Information

Name

In American Kenpo, the term pendulum is used to refer to a downward block as it describes the manner in which your blocking arm deflects your opponent’s kick.  In this technique your blocking arm swings like a pendulum as your right leg is retreating from your opponent’s attacking leg. Thus we have the name Retreating Pendulum.

Basics & Maneuvers

  • Right Neutral Bow Stance
  • Right Rear Cross Step
  • Left Front Twist Stance
  • Right Downward Diagonal Block
  • Right Snapping Knife Edge Kick
  • Right Inward Overhead Hammerfist Strike
  • Right Reverse Bow Stance
  • Right Back Scoop Kick
  • Right Front Crossover
  • Cover Out

Targets

  • Outside of Right Leg
  • Inside of  The Left Knee
  • The Neck (5th Cervical Vertebrae)
  • Groin

Concepts & Principles

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

Concepts & Principles (Con’t)

  • Angle of Entry
  • Angle of Execution
  • Angle of Incidence
  • Angle of No Return
  • Body Momentum
  • Borrowed Force
  • Buckling
  • Bumping
  • Continuity of Motion
  • Counter Balance
  • Depth of Penetration
  • Detaining Check
  • Directional Harmony
  • Distance Matching
  • Gauging
  • Marriage of Gravity
  • Obscure Zones
  • Orbiting
  • Pendulum
  • Positional Check
  • Relayed Power
  • Shortened Circle of Motion
  • Threading
  • Timing (1/4 Beat)
  • Top of Circle/Bottom of Circle
  • With


Related Techniques

Historical Notes

  • In the 1975 Accumulative Journal, Retreating Pendulum was Blue Belt Technique #20
  • The 1975 Accumulative Journal calls the initial strike a right outside downward block.
  • The 1975 Accumulative Journal indicates an 8:00 angle of departure.

Historical Versions

1975 Accumulative Journal

RETREATING PENDULUM (front right rear kick)

  1. While in a right neutral bow, drop back with your right foot into a left font twist stance. Simultaneously deliver a right outside downward block to opponent’s kicking leg and check with your left hand by your right shoulder.
  2. Immediately deliver a right knife-edge kick to opponent’s left leg, to inner knee.
  3. Plant your right foot forward toward 12 o’clock and have your left hand check high (close to your right armpit).
  4. As your block circles counter clockwise and without losing any motion follow-up with a right overhead downward hammerfist to opponent’s neck as you plant your right foot toward 12 o’clock.
  5. Pivot to your left (into a right reverse bow) and deliver a right rear scoop kick to opponent’s groin (your right leg is between your opponent’s leg at this point).  You may have to drag your left foot toward your right foot to assure proper distance for your rear scoop kick.
  6. After planting your right foot back into a right reverse bow right front crossover and cover out twice toward 8 o’clock. (Use the right reverse bow to buckle your opponent’s left leg if and whenever possible.)

Shield and Mace (Blue #10)

KenpoTech on January 12, 2011

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Shield And Mace is the 10th required technique to obtain your Blue Belt in Ed Parker’s American Kenpo. Shield And Mace is a defense against a right step through punch from the front, placing it in the Punches category of the Web of Knowledge as well as the Punches Family Group of the Striking Division.

The theme of Shield and Mace begins with a double action from two points of origin, delivering a simultaneous block and strike.  You will block with your rear arm as you place emphasis on striking while moving up the circle to give greater depth of penetration.  Simultaneous offensive and defensive movements are used throughout the technique utilizing spirals and overlapping circles. You will also employ dual methods of body momentum in harmony with your dual movements.  The technique is designed to flow in a single continuous flow of action continually checking the opponent while delivering your strikes.

The Technique

Attack

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

Defense

Shield and Mace – defense for a right straight punch.

  • Step 1
    • Step forward with your left foot toward 11:00 into a left neutral bow stance,
    • Pivot clockwise into a horse stance,
    • Deliver a right vertical outward block to the outside of your opponent’s right arm,
    • Deliver a left horizontal thrust punch to your opponent’s right lower rib cage.
  • Step 2
    • Pivot counter clockwise into a left close kneel stance,
    • Deliver a right outward downward diagonal hammerfist strike to your opponent’s right kidney.
    • Your left hand checks your opponent’s right elbow.
  • Step 3
    • Rise up into a modified close kneel stance,
    • Circle your left hand clockwise pinning your opponent’s right arm against his body,
    • Circle your right hand counter clockwise to deliver a right looping inward horizontal heel palm claw to your opponent’s face and eyes.
  • Step 4
    • Drop into your left close kneel stance,
    • Continue to circle your right hand counter clockwise to deliver a right outward handsword strike to the back of your opponent’s right knee.
    • Your left hand circles clockwise to check your opponent’s elbow or shoulder.
  • Step 5
    • Deliver a right snapping knife edge kick to the back of your opponent’s left knee.
  • Step 6
    • Without planting your foot, execute a right front crossover
    • Cover out twice toward 7:30.

Considerations

  • What if…
    • your opponent’s left leg is forward?
    • your opponent snaps his right punch back?
    • your opponent throws a left step through punch?
    • your opponent’s attack is a right roundhouse punch?
    • your opponent delivers a right spinning back knuckle?
    • your opponent precedes his punch with a left roundhouse kick?
    • your opponent precedes his punch with a right kick?
    • you cannot move to the outside of your opponent’s right arm?
    • a second opponent is grabbing your right arm from behind?

Notes

  • Note the use of direct body rotation to enhance your outward block as opposed to the usual counter rotation.
  • The pin in step three should be an open ended triangle.
  • Practice this technique from both a left neutral bow stance and a right neutral bow stance. Each stance will require different footwork to begin the technique.
  • Never send your opponent’s weapons into orbit only to have them re-orbit back to you.  Note how this applies throughout the technique.
  • Study how the synchronized use of various types of body momentum increase the power of your action.

Variations

  • You can pivot into a left forward bow stance instead of a left close kneel stance while delivering the right downward diagonal hammerfist strike to the kidney.  You will then begin to pivot into the close kneels stance as you deliver the right heel palm claw to your opponent’s face and settle into  the left close kneel stance as you deliver the right  outward handsword strike to the back of your opponent’s right knee.

Additional Information

Name

In American Kenpo the term shield is used to represent an outward block while the term mace is used to represent a closed fist.  The dual movement of your initial action; defense with a right outward block (shield) and offense with a left straight punch (mace) gives us the name Shield and Mace.

Basics & Maneuvers

  • Left Front Step Through
  • Left Neutral Bow Stance
  • Horse Stance
  • Right Vertical Outward Block
  • Left Straight Punch
  • Left Close Kneel Stance
  • Right Hammerfist Strike
  • Right Inward Looping Horizontal Heel Palm Claw
  • Right Outward Handsword Strike
  • Right Knife Edge Kick
  • Right Front Crossover
  • Cover Out

Targets

  • Outside Right Arm
  • Right Rib Cage
  • Right Kidney
  • Face/Eyes
  • Back of Right Knee
  • Back of Left Knee

Concepts & Principles

  • Anchoring
  • Angle of Alignment
  • Angle of Cancellation
  • Angle of Contact
  • Angle of Deflection
  • Angle of Departure
  • Angle of Deviation
  • Angle of Disturbance

Concepts & Principles (Con’t)

  • Angle of Entry
  • Angle of Execution
  • Angle of Incidence
  • Angle of No Return
  • Back Up Mass
  • Body Alignment
  • Body Momentum
  • Borrowed Force
  • Bracing Angle
  • Buckle
  • Checking
  • Complementary Angle
  • Continuity of Motion
  • Contouring
  • Control Distance
  • Counter Balance
  • Counter Rotation
  • Depth of Penetration
  • Direct Rotation
  • Follow Through
  • Minimize Your Targets
  • Obscure Zones
  • Outer Rim
  • Pivot
  • Point of Delivery
  • Point of Origin
  • Rounding the Corners
  • Slipping
  • Spiraling
  • With


Related Techniques

Historical Notes

  • The 1975 Accumulative Journal lists Shield and Mace as Blue Belt Technique #8.
  • The 1975 Accumulative Journal indicates 8:00 as the angle of departure.

Historical Versions

1975 Accumulative Journal

SHIELD AND MACE (front straight step through right punch)

  1. With feet together, move forward and to your left with your left foot (to 11 o’clock) into a left neutral bow as you immediately pivot to your right into a horse and deliver a right vertical outward block outside of opponent’s right arm while simultaneously delivering a left straight punch to opponent’s right ribcage.
  2. Pivot to your left and drop down into a left close kneel as you strike down with a right hammerfist (with your left hand guarding) to upper part of opponent’s right kidney driving the force down to the pelvic area.
  3. Circle your left hand clockwise, pinning opponent’s right arm down as your right hand circles counter clockwise striking opponent’s face and eyes with a right looping inward heel of palm claw.
  4. Circle your right hand counter clockwise and down even further, and strike back of opponent’s right knee with your right heel of palm to buckle his leg. (Have your left hand execute an overlapping check to same spot.)
  5. Follow-up with a right knife-edge kick to back of opponent’s left knee.
  6. While your right foot is still in the air right front crossover and cover out to 8 o’clock.

Snaking Talon (Blue #9)

KenpoTech on January 9, 2011

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Snaking Talon is the 9th required technique to obtain your Blue Belt in Ed Parker’s American Kenpo. Snaking Talon is a defense against a two hand push from the front, placing it in the Pushes Category of the Web of Knowledge as well as the Pushes Family Group in the family groups Striking Division.

Snaking Talon uses a snaking movement to deflect and control an opponent’s attack thus introducing you to controlling your opponent’s height and width while following the path of a figure 8.  It is an example of the squeegee principle which allows room for error.  The same action that cancels your opponent’s height zone can be used to borrow force.  Another important theme introduced in Snaking Talon is the use of your environment as an offense where you will be introduced to using a crossover as a cocked weapon as well as the rear (reverse) chicken kick as a defensive weapon.

The Technique

Attack

In the ideal phase your opponent is directly in front of you (12:00) with his back is against a wall.  Your opponent then steps forward with his right foot and pushes towards your chest with both hands.

Defense

Snaking Talon – defense for a high two-hand push.

  • Step 1
    • Step back toward 6:00 with your left foot to form a right neutral bow stance facing 12:00,
    • Deliver a right inward downward diagonal parry to your opponent’s left arm.
    • Your left hand checks medium height.
    • Continue moving your right arm underneath and to the outside of your opponent’s right arm.
    • Deliver a right outward downward diagonal parry to the outside of your opponent’s left arm.
    • Left hand checks at your solar plexus.
  • Step 2
    • Continue your right hand’s flow of motion, grabbing your opponent’s right wrist with your right hand.
    • Slide your right foot back into a transitional right 45° cat stance.
    • Pull your opponent’s right arm down toward your right hip
    • Deliver a right front snapping ball kick to your opponent’s groin.
  • Step 3
    • Without planing your right foot, execute a right front crossover toward 7:30.
    • Swing the opponent’s right arm toward 9:00.
  • Step 4
    • Release your opponent’s right wrist.
    • Pivot counterclockwise to deliver a left spinning back heel kick to your opponent’s abdomen.
    • Hop onto your left leg while edging toward your opponent
    • Immediately follow with a right back kick (chicken kick fashion).
  • Step 5
    • Execute a right front cross over
    • Double cover out toward 7:30.

Considerations

  • What if…
    • your opponent’s left foot is forward?
    • your opponent throws a left-right punch combination?
    • your opponent throws a right-left punch combination?
    • your opponent attempts a two-hand choke?
    • your opponent grabs your lapels with both hands?
    • your right arm is injured?
    • you are standing on a slippery surface (ie. ice, mud)?
    • you cannot step backward?
    • your right hand slips off your opponent’s wrist?

Notes

  • The first move is meant to be a continuous motion of your right arm in a figure-eight pattern, breaking this move into step-by-step movements doesn’t do it justice.  It is vital that it be kept in mind that this technique, and this belt level for that matter teach fluidity of motion.
  • After parrying your opponent’s left arm, it is quite possible that your opponent’s momentum is still driving his right arm forward.  Be cautious as you are snaking your arm and delivering the outward handsword block to the outside of the right arm as you can easily catch yourself.  Naturally, timing and proper technique are the most critical factor here but the insertion of a minor left inward parry will assist you in clearing your opponent’s arm.
  • Be sure to use Geometric Paths when executing your figure eight pattern, do not overreach your blocking arm and be sure to keep your right elbow anchored.
  • After the front snapping ball kick, the 1975 Accumulative Journal has you step toward 7:00 with your right foot into a right front twist stance vs the modern stepping toward 7:30 with your right foot into a left rear twist stance. The difference is not really in the direction you are stepping but in the name of the stance.  Although the footwork is the same, the name of the stance determines the direction you are facing.  The 1975 version has you facing away from your opponent as you would be facing toward the direction of your  ‘right front‘ foot .  The updated version has you facing your opponent as you would face toward the same direction as your ‘left rear’ foot.
  • It is important to be thoughtful of looking over the left shoulder first (as you execute the left spinning back kick) and then look over the right shoulder as you deliver the right back kick.
  • It should be kept in mind that your attacker has his back to the wall.  After you deliver the left spinning back kick, your opponent hits the wall which would typically cause your opponent to bounce off the wall or begin to fall forward.  Either way the attacker is now moving in your direction and your response is to stop his forward progression with a right rear kick.  If your opponent is not coming towards you after your left kick, the right kick is pointless.
  • Study the relationship between Snaking Talon and Five Swords.
  • Study the relationship between Snaking Talon and Delayed Sword (as well as it’s predecessor, Retreating Warrior).
  • Determine what techniques Snaking Talon may be grafted to.

Variations

  • The first variation in this technique is in the attack itself.   Everyone has their opinion on the push, be it a driving two-hand push, a non-committed two-hand push, simply a forceful two hand shove.  The common theme however is the fact that it is a two-hand push.  Another factor about the attack that is often left out is the key fact that the technique as described places your attacker’s back to the wall.
  • An option for step 2 is to deliver a left inward heel palm strike to your opponent’s right elbow joint at the same time you  jerk their right arm toward your hip and deliver the front snapping ball kick to their groin.
  • Another option for step 2 is to insert a four-finger eye strike as you jerk your opponent’s right arm toward your hip and deliver the front snapping ball kick to their groin.
  • While rare, some schools actually teach you to plant forward after the right front snapping ball kick in order to gauge distance between you and your opponent.
    • Opinion:  I personally have not seen this variation in any official documentation or notes, but I have seen it.  While this sounds feasible written out it alters the original technique.  First it changes the attack, your attacker could no longer be against a wall, as he would need to go back after moving in to attack.  Next you would have to alter step two by removing the grab and jerking motion then changing the front snapping ball kick to a front thrusting ball kick. Only then could your opponent stumble back enough to provide enough distance to allow or require you land forward and deliver the left spinning rear kick.  Finally without the wall, your technique would end here as your opponent would not move forward after the left spinning rear kick to the solar plexus.  I believe that this variant is better suited as a what-if scenario. If anyone has any further insight into this variation, please share with me. It is quite possible that I am simply missing something.
  • Different schools will teach different directions to move when executing the right front crossover into a twist stance.  These directions range from 7:00 to 9:00. The actual direction to move is not set in stone but is situational.
  • Some schools will teach the chicken kick, some will teach a two kick combination.  Regarding the chicken kick this is also broken down into two schools of thought. Those that deliver the first kick as a minor kick (to gain momentum) and those who deliver it with force working off your opponent’s body to deliver the second.

Additional Information

Name

In American Kenpo, the term talon is used to represent a wrist grab and the snaking is used to refer to an action that twists or entwines around various parts of your opponent.  Snaking specifically comes from the figure eight pattern of your right arm as it entwines through your opponent’s arms, ending in a wrist grab or talon.  Thus we have the name, Snaking Talon.

Basics & Maneuvers

  • Left Reverse Step Through
  • Right Neutral Bow Stance
  • Right Inward Handsword Block
  • Right Extended Outward Handsword Block
  • Right Transitional 45° Cat Stance
  • Right Front Snapping Ball Kick
  • Right Front Crossover (again at end)
  • Left Rear Twist Stance
  • Left Spinning Back Heel Thrust Kick
  • Right Back Heel Kick
  • Cover Out

Targets

  • Radial Nerve
  • Right Wrist
  • Groin
  • Solar Plexus

Concepts & Principles

  • Anchoring
  • Angle of Cancellation
  • Angle of Deflection
  • Angle of Deviation
  • Angle of Disturbance
  • Backup Mass
  • Body Momentum
  • Borrowed Force
  • Catch(ing)
  • Contouring
  • Controlling the Gap
  • Counter Balance
  • Environmental Impact
  • Figure Eight Pattern
  • Obscure Zones
  • Opposing Forces
  • Positional Checking
  • Sandwiching (Environmental)
  • Spinning
  • Squeegee
  • Transitory Moves


Related Techniques

  • Alternating Maces (Y-2)
  • Hooking Wings (P-15)
  • Destructive Twins (B-22)
  • Circling Fans (3rd Br-3)
  • Parting of the Snakes (3rd Br-19)
  • Entwined Maces (2nd Br-21)

Historical Notes

  • In the 1975 Accumulative Journal, Snaking Talon was blue belt technique #18.
  • The 1975 Accumulative Journal
    • has you step toward 7:00 into a right front twist stance.
    • describes the double back kick as a ‘reverse chicken kick’.
    • indicated 6:00 as the angle of departure.

Historical Versions

1975 Accumulative Journal

SNAKING TALON (front two-hand push)

  1. With feet together, drop back with your left foot to 6 o’clock into a right neutral bow as your right hand loops a figure eight, first with a right inward handsword on the outside of opponent’s left hand and a right extended outward handsword on the outside of opponent’s right hand, grasping his right wrist with your right hand while fading back into a right front 45° cat stance.
  2. While your right hand pulls opponent toward you (to your right and down), deliver a right ball kick to opponent’s groin (kicking toward 12 o’clock).
  3. With your right kicking foot still in the air, have it right front crossover into a right front twist stance toward 7 o’clock.
  4. Immediately pivot counter clockwise and deliver a left reverse spinning back kick to opponent’s abdominal area toward 12 o’clock.
  5. With back facing your opponent, hop on to your left leg while edging toward opponent (gauge distance correctly) and deliver a right back kick (this is actually a reverse chicken kick) to any opening opponent may have preferably the face or chest.
  6. Right front crossover and cover out twice toward 6 o’clock.