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.

Spiraling Twig (Purple #22)

KenpoTech on September 6, 2010

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Spiraling Twig is the 22nd required technique to obtain your purple belt in Ed Parker’s American Kenpo. Spiraling Twig is a defense for a rear bear hug with your arms free, placing it in the Hugs & Holds category of the Web of Knowledge as well as the Bear Hugs Family Group in the Holds & Hugs of the family groups Grappling division.

This technique introduces you to the proper use of joint lock manipulations, in particular it places emphasis on the correct angle of execution on wrist locks, the use of small circles when twisting an opponent’s weapon, the amplification of twists through the proper use of contouring and body momentum and maintaining control over your opponent’s leverage points.

The Technique

Attack

In the ideal phase your opponent is directly behind you (6:00). He applies a bear hug around your waist with his right hand on top of his left. Your arms are free.  It is assumed that your opponent’s legs are too far apart to be able to cat around (c-step) them.

Defense

Spiraling Twig – defense for a rear bear hug, arms free.

  • Step 1
    • Step toward 3:00 with your right foot to form a horse stance,
    • deliver right and left inward middle knuckle strikes to the back of your opponent’s hands,
    • Drop your elbows to pin both of your opponent’s arms.
    • Grab your opponent’s right hand with both hands, making sure that your thumbs are on top (back of your opponent’s hand) and your fingers are inside his palm.
  • Step 2
    • Step toward 1:30 with your left foot to form a left neutral bow stance,
    • Start twisting your opponent’s wrist clockwise,
    • Pivot clockwise as you execute a right reverse step through into a left neutral bow stance, facing 7:30.
    • Continue twisting your opponent’s right wrist clockwise in a tight circle close to your body,
    • Apply the wrist lock.
  • Step 3
    • Pull the opponent’s right arm past your right hip.
    • Deliver a right front snapping ball kick to your opponent’s right ribs..
  • Step 4
    • Plant your right foot forward to form a right neutral bow stance facing 7:30,
    • Deliver a right underhand stiff-arm back knuckle to your opponent’s face
    • Your left hand checks your opponent’s right arm.
  • Step 5
    • Execute a right front crossover and cover out toward 1:30.

Considerations

  • What if….
    • your opponent’s arms are around your chest?
    • your opponent’s left hand is over his right hand?
    • your opponent lifts you off the ground?
    • your opponent drags you to the ground?
    • your opponent does not loosen his hands as you strike them?
    • your opponent steps with you as you step toward 1:30?
    • a second opponent throws a punch from the front?
    • you are unable to step toward 3:00?
    • you are unable to step forward?
    • your hands slip as you attempt to apply the wrist lock?

Notes

  • Practice being as accurate as possible with your middle knuckle strikes and time them with your horse stance to benefit from marriage of gravity.
  • Be sure to keep your opponent’s right hand close to your body to maintain control. When practicing take note of the best ways to control your opponent’s right arm as well as the possibility of turning him over.
  • While you have the wrist lock applied, be sure to keep your opponent’s hand above his shoulder.
  • When Planting forward with your right foot, try to check your opponent’s left knee.
  • Practice flowing into other locks from the wrist lock or attempted wrist lock. In the event that your opponent’s elbow bends during the technique, you will need to back it up with another type of lock.

Additional Information

Name

In American Kenpo the term “Twig” is used to represent the arm. In this technique you spiral your opponent’s right arm into a wrist lock as you move out of your opponent’s bear hug. This spiraling action against the right arm (twig) gives us the name Spiraling Twig.

Basics & Maneuvers

  • Right Side Step Through
  • Horse Stance
  • Dual Inward Middle Knuckle Strikes
  • Left Forward Step Through
  • Left Neutral Bow Stance
  • Right Reverse Step Through
  • Inward Wrist Lock
  • Right Front Snapping Ball Kick
  • Right Stiff Arm Lifting Back Knuckle Strike
  • Right Front Crossover
  • Cover Out

Targets

  • Back of the Hand (metacarpals, median nerve)
  • Forearms (brachialis muscle, radial nerve)
  • Right Wrist (Elbow and Shoulder included as well)
  • Right Rib Cage
  • Left Knee
  • Face

Concepts & Principles

  • Anchor
  • Angle of Cancellation
  • Angle of Disturbance
  • Angles of Execution
  • Backup Mass
  • Body Momentum
  • Borrowed Force
  • Center of Mass
  • Clearing Check
  • Contouring
  • Hugging Pin
  • Jerking
  • Locking
  • Marriage of Gravity
  • Pinning Check
  • Positional Check
  • Pivot
  • Point of Origin
  • Stabilize Your Base
  • Twirl


Related Techniques

Historical Notes

  • In the 1975 Accumulative Journal, Spiraling Twig was Purple Belt technique #23.
  • The 1975 Accumulative Journal indicates all of your 1:30 angles as 2:00 and your 7:30 angle as 8:00.
  • The 1975 Accumulative Journal indicates a 2:00 angle of departure.

Historical Versions

1975 Accumulative Journal

SPIRALING TWIG (rear bear hug — arms free)

  1. With feet together, Step to your right with your right foot (to 3 o’clock) into a horse as your right and left middle fingers strike to the back of opponent’s top hand or hands (depending on the type of grab) immediately dropping both elbows to pin opponent’s arms. Without hesitation follow-up by grabbing opponent’s right hand with your right and left hand with thumbs on top and fingers inside of opponent’s palm.
  2. Have your left foot step forward to 2 o’clock (while starting a counter clockwise wrist twist; with your right elbow still pinning) and pivot your right foot clockwise and back (into a left neutral bow facing 8 o’clock) as both of your hands continue to twist opponent’s right wrist clockwise.
  3. Deliver a right snapping ball kick to right ribs of opponent while guiding opponent’s right arm past your right hip and still maintaining wrist twist.
  4. As you plant your right foot forward (into a right neutral bow facing 8 o’clock) have your left hand check your opponent’s right elbow by pushing it down and out of the way past the right hip as you deliver a right underhand stiff arm back knuckle strike to opponent’s face or temple (depending upon how the head is positioned).
  5. Right front crossover and cover out to 2 o’clock.

Squeezing The Peach (Purple #11)

KenpoTech on August 12, 2010

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Squeezing the Peach is the 11th required technique to obtain your purple belt in Ed Parker’s American Kenpo. Squeezing the Peach is a defense against rear bear hug with your arms pinned, placing it in the Hugs & Holds category of the Web of Knowledge as well as the Bear Hug Family Group in the Holds & Hugs category of the family groups Grappling division.

In Squeezing the Peach due to your inability to create an angle of disturbance you resort to pain compliance as a means of distraction allowing you the time to stabilize your base.  You will use various methods of contouring such as tracking, fitting, guidelining throughout this defense as well as use a reverse bow stance as an offensive weapon for the first time.

Defense

Squeezing the Peach –  defense for a rear bear hug, arms pinned.

  • Step 1
    • Pin your opponent’s hands with your right hand.
    • Step back toward 4:30 into a right neutral bow stance facing 12:00,
    • Deliver a left back heel palm strike as you grab and squeeze your opponent’s testicles.
  • Step 2
    • Step forward with your left foot toward 12:00 to form a left neutral bow stance,
    • Deliver a right back heel scoop kick to your opponent’s groin.
  • Step 3
    • With your right leg still in the air, stomp into a right reverse bow stance toward 7:30
    • Deliver a right snapping obscure elbow strike to your opponent’s chin.
    • Left hand checks low.
  • Step 4
    • Right front crossover and cover out toward 1:30.

Additional Information

Name

The term “peach” in American Kenpo is used to symbolize the testicles. In this technique you are reaching behind to grab and squeeze your opponent’s testicles, thus the name Squeezing the Peach.

Attack

In the ideal phase your attacker is directly behind you (6:00) and applies a bear hug with your arms pinned at the forearm level and you are either being pulled back or unable to step to the side for whatever reason.

Squeezing the Peach differs from Captured Twigs and Crushing Hammers in that Squeezing the Peach can be used to answer some what if scenarios of the two techniques.  The first assumption that could be made is that your arms are pinned at forearm level where in Captured Twigs and Crushing Hammers your arms are pinned around the biceps.  Unlike these two techniques, the pinning of the forearms restrict your ability to make an effective strike with your hands and forearms.

The second assumption is that you are unable to step to the side for whatever reason.  One of the reasons could be the third assumption, that you are being pulled back, thus preventing the execution of techniques such as Captured Twigs and Crushing Hammer.

Basics & Maneuvers

  • Left Reverse Step Through
  • Right Neutral Bow Stance
  • Left Downward Rear Heel Palm Strike
  • Five Finger Grab
  • Left Forward Step Through
  • Left Neutral Bow
  • Right Rear Scooping Heel Kick
  • Right Reverse Bow Stance
  • Right Obscure Back Elbow Strike
  • Right Front Crossover
  • Cover Out

Targets

  • Groin
  • Left Inner Knee
  • Chin

Concepts & Principles

  • Angle of Cancellation
  • Angle of Departure
  • Angle of Disturbance
  • Angle of Entry
  • Borrowed Force
  • Buckling
  • Changing of the Guard
  • Contact Manipulation
  • Contouring – Guidelining
  • Contouring – Tracking
  • Hugging Pin
  • Marriage of Gravity
  • Obscure Zones
  • Pain Compliance
  • Positional Checks
  • Solidify Your Base
  • Zones of Obscurity
  • Zones of Protection


Considerations

  • What if …
    • your arms are pinned high?
    • your arms are free?
    • your right arm is pinned and your left arm is free?
    • your left arm is pinned and your right arm is free?
    • your opponent’s doesn’t release his grip
    • you are pinned against a wall and unable to step forward?
    • you are lifted off the ground?
    • you are taken to the ground?
    • a second opponent is punching from the front?

Related Techniques

Historical Notes

  • In the 1975 Accumulative Journal, Squeezing the Peach was Ed Parker’s American Kenpo Purple Belt Technique #12
  • In the 1975 Accumulative Journal you step back toward 5:00 on the initial move.
  • The 1975 Accumulative Journal also has you “deliver a right stiff leg stomp to 7 o’clock to buckle or break your opponent’s left leg” as opposed to the “stomping into a right reverse bow toward 7:30” to handle the buckle or break.
  • Lastly the 1975 Accumulative Journal lists the Angle of Departure as 1:00

Historical Versions

1975 Accumulative Journal

SQUEEZING THE PEACH (rear bear hug — arms pinned)

  1. With your feet together and opponent applying hug, move your left foot back to 5 o’clock (into a right neutral bow with your eyes focused straight ahead). Simultaneously have your left hand grab and squeeze opponent’s testicles as your right hand grabs and checks opponent’s arms.
  2. Immediately step forward with your left foot to 12 o’clock into a left neutral bow and deliver a right rear scoop kick to opponent’s groin.
  3. With your right leg still in the air deliver a right stiff leg stomp to 7 o’clock to buckle or break opponent’s left leg from the inside of opponent’s left knee with the inner portion of your right knee. Simultaneously deliver a right obscure back elbow (palm down) to opponent’s jaw while looking over your right shoulder and as your left hand checks low.
  4. Right front crossover and cover out to 1 o’clock.

Notes

  • Be sure to maintain your grab as you step forward into a left neutral bow stance.
  • Do not lean forward when executing the right reverse bow stance, doing so will cause your elbow strike to miss.
  • Consider a rear head butt  as an additional option if the situation permits.

Variations

One variation which serves as an answer to the last what if scenario goes like this…

Squeezing the Peach –  defense for a rear bear hug, arms pinned.

  • Step 1
    • Pin your opponent’s hands with your right hand.
    • Step back toward 4:30 into a right neutral bow stance facing 12:00,
    • Deliver a left back heel palm strike as you grab and squeeze your opponent’s testicles.
  • Step 2
    • Step forward with your left foot toward 1:30 to form a left neutral bow stance,
    • Pulling your opponent by the testicles between you and the second attacker.
  • Step 3
    • Deliver a right back heel scoop kick to your opponent’s groin,
    • Clear your opponent’s hands
  • Step 3
    • With your right leg still in the air, stomp into a right reverse bow stance toward 10:30
    • Deliver a right snapping obscure elbow strike to your opponent’s chin.
    • Left hand checks low.
  • Step 4
    • Right front crossover and cover out toward 4:30.

Crushing Hammer (EPAK Purple #5)

KenpoTech on July 25, 2010

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Crushing Hammer is the 5th required technique to obtain your Purple Belt in Ed Parker’s American Kenpo.  Crushing Hammer is a defense against right roundhouse kick to your body, 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 Crushing Hammer you learn how to counter grab your opponent to prevent further strikes, you learn how flank movements provide access to rear targets, how the proper contouring of your body provides built in checks against retaliation as well as generating power.

Defense

Crushing Hammer – defense for a rear bear hug, arms pinned.

  • Step 1
    • Pin the opponent’s hands to your body with your left hand.
    • Step toward 9:00 with your left foot to form a horse stance.
    • Deliver a right back hammerfist strike to your opponent’s groin.
  • Step 2
    • Slide your right foot toward your left forming a right close cat stance (transitional), and then back toward 4:30 (behind your opponent’s left leg) to form a right reverse bow stance.
    • Deliver a right back hammering heel palm strike to your opponent’s groin and grab with a right squeezing claw,
    • Left hand continues to pin the opponent’s hands.
  • Step 3
    • Pivot clockwise into a right neutral bow stance facing 4:30.
    • Deliver a right rear vertical elbow strike underneath your opponent’s chin.
  • Step 4
    • Pivot clockwise into a right forward bow stance facing 4:30.
    • Deliver a left thrusting heel palm strike to your opponent’s left floating ribs.
  • Step 5
    • Pivot counter clockwise into a right neutral bow, facing 4:30
    • Crossover and cover out toward 10:30.

Additional Information

Name

The name of the technique comes from the crushing action of the hammerfist to the groin.

Attack

In the ideal phase your attacker is directly behind you (6:00) and applies a bear hug around both arms near your biceps.

It is important to avoid being gripped in a bear hug with your arms in front of you or or your hands in your pocket as it would.

Basics & Maneuvers

  • Horse Stance
  • Right Rear Hammerfist Strike
  • Cat Stance (transitional)
  • Right Reverse Bow Stance
  • Right Rear Heel Palm Strike
  • Right Rear Squeezing Grab
  • Right Neutral Bow Stance
  • Right Upward Vertical Obscure Elbow Strike
  • Right Forward Bow Stance
  • Right Thrusting Heel Palm Strike

Targets

  • Hands
  • Groin
  • Underneath the Chin
  • Left Floating Ribs

Concepts & Principles

  • Angle of Cancellation
  • Angle of Disturbance
  • Body Alignment
  • Borrowed Force
  • Cating Around
  • Contouring
  • Hugging Pin
  • Pinning Check
  • Pivoting
  • Positional Check
  • Stabilize your Base
  • Transitory Moves
  • Zones of Obscurity


Considerations

  • What if …
    • your arms are pinned in front of your body?
    • your opponents arms are near your waist?
    • your opponent’s arms are around your throat?
    • your arms are free?
    • your opponent lifts you off the ground?

Related Techniques

  • Captured Twigs (Y-5)
  • Obscure Wing (O-18)
  • Squeezing the Peach (P-11)
  • Escape From Death (G-6)
  • Reprimanding the Bears (2Br-12)
  • Spreading the Branches

Historical Notes

  • In the 1975 Accumulative Journal, Crushing Hammer was Purple Belt Technique #6
  • The 1975 Accumulative Journal;
    • indicates sliding your left foot back between 4:00 & 5:00
    • has you pivot clockwise toward 4:00 for the obscure elbow
    • has you pivot toward 5:00 for the left thrusting heel palm strike
    • does not indicate an angle of departure.

Historical Versions

1975 Accumulative Journal

CRUSHING HAMMER (rear bear hug — arms pinned)

  1. With feet together, step to your left with your left foot (to 9 o’clock)into a horse. Simultaneously strike to opponent’s groin with your right back hammerfist as your left hand pins opponent’s left arm.
  2. Have our right foot meet your left foot (forming a close cat stance) and then around and behind opponent’s left leg (between 4 and 5 o’clock)into a right reverse bow. Simultaneously strike opponent’s groin with aright heel palm; then grab opponent’s testicles with a right squeezing claw,
  3. Pivot into a right neutral bow (facing 4 o’clock) as your right arm follows the contour of your opponent’s body and your right elbow strikes up to his chin.
  4. Complete your pivot (facing 5 o’clock) into a right forward bow as you deliver a left heel palm strike to left floating ribs of opponent.

Notes

  • Crushing Hammer serves as a good backup to Captured Twigs in the event you are unable to rotate in attempting to execute Captured Twigs.  On the other hand Captured Twigs serves as a back to to Crushing Hammer when you are unable to step to the side.

Variations

Crashing Wings (EPAK Orange #24)

KenpoTech on July 11, 2010

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Crashing Wings is the 24th and final technique required to obtain your Orange Belt in Ed Parker’s American Kenpo. It is a defense against a rear bear hug with your arms free placing it in the Hugs & Holds category of the Web of Knowledge.  Crashing Wings belongs to the Bear Hugs Family Group in the Hugs category of the Family Groups Grappling Division.

In Crashing Wings we learn how to execute a double attack with added strength from gravitational marriage while following one of the shapes in the Universal Pattern. You learn how to use a cat stance to not only transition from point a to point b but to  ‘cat around’ an obstacle, in this case your opponent’s leg, to stabilize your base as well as create an angle of disturbance. We then make use of continual motion and preparatory cocking to set up a series of strikes.

Defense

Crashing Wings – defense for a rear bear hug, arms free.

  • Step 1
    • Step toward 3:00 with your right foot to form a horse stance facing 12:00,
    • Deliver right and left inward downward diagonal elbow strikes to your attacker’s forearms.
  • Step 2
    • Slide your left foot toward 3:00 to form a left transitional 45° cat stance.
    • Cock both of your hands to your right hip in a cup & saucer fashion.
  • Step 3
    • Slide your left foot behind your opponent’s right leg, toward 7:30, to form a left reverse bow stance.
  • Step 4
    • Pivot counterclockwise to form a left neutral bow stance facing 7:30.
    • Deliver a left outward horizontal elbow strike to your opponent’s face.
    • Deliver a left outward horizontal heel palm claw to your opponent’s face,
    • Cock your right fist by your right ear.
  • Step 5
    • Pivot counterclockwise to form a left forward bow stance facing 7:30,
    • Deliver a right inward downward diagonal hammerfist strike to your opponent’s bladder.
  • Step 6
    • Pivot counterclockwise forming a left neutral bow stance,
    • Left front crossover
    • Cover out toward 12:00.

Additional Information

Name

Wing is the American Kenpo term used to symbolize the elbow. In this technique you circle your wings (elbows) out and up in order to bring them crashing down on your opponent’s forearms. This crashing of your wings (elbows) into your attackers arms give the technique its name, Crashing Wings.  Incidentally the circling motion of your wings (elbows), gives the related Tracy’s Kenpo technique, Circling Wings it’s name.

Attack

In the ideal phase your attacker is directly behind you (6:00) and has both arms wrapped around your waist and your arms are free.

As with all bear hugs, the attacker using the bear hug believes himself to be stronger than you and is confident in their ability to control you with such a move. While bear hugs are often used to control, lift, throw or setup the target for another attacker, a bear hug like this makes it easier for your attacker to interfere with your ability to breathe causing great discomfort and possibly unconsciousness. It allow has a greater chance of causing damage to internal organs or fracturing ribs.

Basics & Maneuvers

  • Right Side Step Through
  • Horse Stance
  • Double Inward Downward Diagonal Elbow Strikes
  • Transitional Left 45° Cat Stance
  • Left Reverse Bow Stance
  • Left Neutral Bow Stance
  • Left Outward Horizontal Elbow Strike
  • Left Outward Horizontal Heel Palm Claw
  • Left Forward Bow Stance
  • Right Inward Downward Diagonal Hammerfist Strike
  • Left Neutral Bow Stance
  • Left Front Crossover
  • Cover Out

Targets

  • Left & Right Forearms (Medial Nerve)
  • Face (Jaw) or Solar Plexus
  • Solar Plexus, Bladder or Groin

Concepts & Principles

  • Anchor
  • Angle of Cancellation
  • Angle of Disturbance
  • Body Rotation
  • Cat Around
  • Continuity of Motion
  • Gravitational Check
  • Hugging Pin
  • Pivoting
  • Preparatory Cock
  • Solidify Your Base
  • Transitory Stance


Considerations

  • What if …
    • your opponent’s arms are at chest level?
    • your opponent picks you up off the ground?
    • your opponent doesn’t loosen his grip?
    • your opponent is pushing you forward?
    • you are unable to step to the right?
    • you are grabbed while seated?

Related Techniques

  • Grip of Death
  • Captured Leaves
  • Spiraling Twig
  • Squatting Sacrifice
  • Escape From Death
  • Twirling Sacrifice

Historical Notes

  • In the 1975 Accumulative Journal this was orange belt technique #24
  • The 1975 Accumulative Journal has you slide out of the cat stance toward 7:00
  • The 1975 Accumulative Journal does not indicate the left outward heel palm claw
  • 1975 Accumulative Journal does not indicate an angle of departure

Historical Versions

1975 Accumulative Journal

CRASHING WINGS (rear bear hug — arms free)

  1. Step to your right (to 3 o’clock) with your right foot and drop into a horse.  Simultaneously strike down with both of your elbows against opponent’s forearms (after having raised your elbows).
  2. Have your left foot meet your right foot (close cat) as your left and right arms cock to the right side of your waist (right palm up and left palm facing you).
  3. Have your left foot then go around and behind of opponent’s left leg (to 7 o’clock) and into a left reverse bow.
  4. Pivot to your left and deliver a left outward elbow strike (palm down.) to opponent’s Jaw (while in a left neutral bow) and a right hammerfist to opponent’s groin (while in a left forward bow) as your left hand cocks to your left hip.

Notes

Variations