Twisted Twig (EPAK Orange #21)

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Twisted Twig is the 21st technique required to obtain your Orange Belt in Ed Parker’s American Kenpo. It is a defense against a front wrist lock to you right wrist.  Twisted Twig is part of the Locks & Chokes category in the Web of Knowledge and is a part of the Locks family group in the Chokes and Locks category of the Grappling Division of  Family Groups.

In Twisted Twig, your arm is twisted into a wrist lock you will learn how to use the flow of action to turn this disadvantaged position into an advantageous position that opens new targets on your opponent while neutralizing his weapons.

Defense

Twisted Twig –  defense for a right bent wrist lock.

  • Step 1
    • Pin the opponent’s left hand with your left hand.
    • Step toward 11:00 with your right foot to form a right neutral bow stance, buckling the inside of your opponent’s right knee,
    • Deliver a right upward elbow strike to your opponent’s chest or face.
  • Step 2
    • Pivot counterclockwise to form a horse stance.
    • Deliver a right outward elbow strike to your opponent’s solar plexus.
  • Step 3
    • Pivot counterclockwise to form a right reverse bow stance.
    • Deliver a right back hammerfist strike to your opponent’s groin
  • Step 4
    • Right front crossover toward 7:30
    • Cover out toward 7:30.

Additional Information

Name

The term ‘twig’ in American Kenpo is a symbolic term that represents an arm. In this technique your arm (twig) is being twisted at the wrist by your opponent, thus the name Twisted Twig.

Attack

In the ideal phase your opponent is directly in front of you (12:00). The attacker grabs your right hand and applies a front outward wrist lock to your right wrist.

A wrist lock is a good indication that your opponent is skilled thus it is important to pay close attention to everything going on around you and get out of this hold as quickly as possible.  As wrist lock can be used to control, inflict pain or cause a wrist break.  A wrist lock specifically like the one you will see here could be used to throw you to the ground or even dislocate your shoulder.

Basics & Maneuvers

  • Right forward Step Through
  • Right Neutral Bow Stance
  • Right Upward Elbow Strike
  • Right Fighting Horse Stance
  • Right Outward Horizontal Elbow Strike
  • Right Reverse Bow Stance
  • Right Back Downward Hammerfist Strike
  • Right Front Crossover
  • Cover Out

Targets

  • Right Inner Knee
  • Face or Chest (Sternum)
  • Solar Plexus
  • Groin

Concepts & Principles

  • Anchoring
  • Angle of Alignment
  • Angle of Entry
  • Continuity of Motion
  • Counter Rotation
  • Hugging Check
  • Flow of Action
  • Fulcrum
  • Join Locks
  • Obscure Zones
  • Opposing Forces
  • Pivoting
  • Sandwiching
  • Solidify Your Base
  • Torque


Considerations

  • What if …
    • your opponent pulls you forward?
    • your opponent throws you to the ground?
    • you are grabbed across an object?
    • you are grabbed while sitting down?

Related Techniques

  • Obscure Wing
  • Circling Wing
  • Thrusting Wedge
  • Gift of Destiny

Historical Notes

  • In the 1975 Accumulative Journal this was Orange Belt technique #20

Historical Versions

1975 Accumulative Journal

TWISTED TWIG (front wrist lock)

  1. With feet together and both hands of opponent applying a wrest lock on your right wrist, step forward and to your left (to 11 o’clock) with your right foot into a right neutral bow as you deliver a right upward elbow strike to your opponent’s solar plexus and/or jaw. Your left hand is placed on top of opponent’s right wrist for purposes of checking.
  2. Pivot counter clockwise into a horse as you deliver a right outward elbow strike (palm up)to opponent’s solar plexus.
  3. Follow-up with a right downward hammerfist to opponents groin as you shift into a right reverse bow.  Have your left hand check at shoulder height.

Notes

Variations

Crossing Talon (EPAK Orange #13)

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Crossing Talon is the 13th technique required to obtain your Orange Belt in Ed Parker’s American Kenpo. Crossing Talon is the defense for a right cross wrist grab placing it in the Grabs & Tackles category of the Web of Knowledge and the Wrist Grabs family group in the Grabs category of the Grappling division.

Crossing the Talon is defense against a right hand cross wrist grab (to your right wrist).  This technique uses a wide variety of checks most of which are parts of an offensive move. For example the action of placing your opponent in the arb bar serves as a cross check, pulling check, pushing check and detaining check all at once.  In Crossing Talon you will use use the force of your entire body when striking and you will learn  how to use a series of checks or strikes in one continuous flow

Defense

Crossing Talon – defense for a right hand cross grab.

  • Step 1
    • Raising your forearm as if you were doing a right vertical outward block, counter grab your opponent’s right wrist in a clockwise direction with your right hand,
    • Step toward 1:30 with your left foot to form a left neutral bow stance in front of your opponent’s right leg,
    • Deliver a left thrusting forearm strike behind your opponent’s right elbow.
  • Step 2
    • Settle deeper into your left neutral bow stance
    • Pull your opponent’s right wrist across your body, in toward and past your right hip,
    • Keeping your left elbow anchored push forward and down against your opponent’s right elbow with your left forearm
  • Step 3
    • Align your left elbow by bringing your left hand toward your chest and sliding your forearm on top of your opponents right elbow,
    • Deliver a left outward elbow strike to your opponent’s right temple or jaw.
  • Step 4
    • Continue your outward motion
    • Deliver a left heel palm strike to your opponent’s face,
    • Execute a five-finger rip to your opponent’s face.
  • Step 5
    • Deliver a left inward overhead downward elbow strike to your opponent’s spine.
    • Drop your weight into a left wide kneel stance.
  • Step 6
    • Execute left downward heel palm strike to the base of your opponent’s skull.
    • Deliver a right upward knee kick to your opponent’s face, planting back toward 4:30
  • Step 7
    • Left front crossover and cover out toward 6:00.

Additional Information

Name

In American Kenpo the term ‘Talon” is synonymous with a wrist grab.  In Crossing Talon, your opponent is crossing his body, to grab your opposite wrist, thus executing a Crossing Wrist Grab.  Hence the name Crossing Talon.

Attack

The ideal phase of attack puts your opponent directly in front of you. He reaches diagonally across his body and grabs the inside portion of your right wrist — his palm against your inner wrist – the backs of both of your hands facing outward.

As with any other type of grab the most common uses are to intimidate, control, manipulate or set up for a followup attack.  Grabs are often the result of an argument but can and do come as a surprise attack.  Wrist grabs, in particular, are a very common type of grab in that they serve to control one of your natural weapons, often adding a notion of confidence to the aggressor.

Basics & Maneuvers Used

  • Right Counter Grap
  • Left Front Step Through
  • Left Hammering Inward Block
  • Left Neutral Bow Stance
  • Left Outward Horizontal Elbow
  • Left Outward Heel Palm Strike
  • Left Five Finger Claw
  • Left Five Finger Ripping Claw
  • Left Inward Overhead Elbow
  • Left Wide Kneel Stance
  • Left Downward Heel Palm Strike
  • Left One Legged Stance
  • Right Upward Knee Kick
  • Left Front Crossover
  • Cover out

Targets

  • Right Wrist
  • Right Elbow
  • Right Temple
  • Face
  • Spine
  • Right Mastoid Bone

Concepts & Principles Taught

  • Anchoring
  • Angle of Alignment
  • Angle of Disturbance
  • Axis of Rotation
  • Backup Mass
  • Contouring
  • Counter Grabbing
  • Cross Checking
  • Detaining Check
  • Fulcrum
  • Leverage
  • Marriage of Gravity
  • Pin-Point Effect
  • Point of Origin
  • Positional Block
  • Residual Torque
  • Reverse Marriage of Gravity
  • Rounding the Corners
  • Sandwiching
  • Solidify your Base
  • Sliding Check
  • Striking Check
  • Zones of Protection


Considerations

  • What if …
    • Your opponent grabs you from the top (palm down)?
    • Your opponent grabs you from underneath (palm up)?
    • your opponent pulls you forward (or into a punch)?
    • your opponent grabs your wrist with two hands?
    • you do not have the strength to life your right arm in the first move?
    • Your opponent grabs your shirt (or right lapel)?
    • Your opponent grabs your belt (or lower shirt)?

Related Techniques

Historical Notes

  • In the 1975 Accumulative Journal, Crossing Talon was Orange Belt Technique Requirement #11
  • The 1975 Accumulative Journal has you step toward 1:00 on the initial step.
  • The 1987 Studio Manuals indicate 4:30 as the Angle of Departure

Historical Versions

1975 Accumulative Journal

CROSSING TALON (front right cross wrist grab)

  1. With opponent’s right hand grabbing your right wrist, counter grab his wrist as your left foot steps forward and to your right to 1 o’clock) into a left neutral bow simultaneously striking opponent’s right elbow with your left forearm in a forward thrusting motion while your right hand pulls in toward and past your right hip.
  2. Continue to push and pull opponent’s arm to your right forcing opponent’s head down with the possibility of your opponent’s head striking your left knee.
  3. Immediately deliver a left side elbow strike (palm up or down depending on circumstance) to opponents right jaw hinge followed by a left heel palm strike and five-finger rip to opponents face.
  4. Circle your left arm clockwise and strike down with your left elbow striking to upper spine of opponent.
  5. Follow-up with a left downward heel palm strike to back of opponent’s left mastoid. As your left hand continues to push down simultaneously deliver a right knee kick to opponent’s face, causing a sandwiching effect.
  6. Replant your right foot to original position.

Unfinished Orange Belt Manual by Ed Parker

CROSSING TALON (Front right cross wrist grab)

  1. With your opponent’s right hand grabbing your right wrist, (1) countergrab his right wrist with your right hand as (2) your left foot steps toward 1:30 (traveling in front of your opponent) into a left neutral bow, as (3) you strike your opponent’s right elbow with a left inward vertical forearm, while (4) your right hand pulls in, toward, and past your right hip. (The effect of this action is to sprain or break your opponent’s right elbow, and force him to bend over, which automatically checks his Height Zones.)
  2. Continue to pull your opponent’s arm to your right while using your left forearm to force your opponent’s head down and possibly striking your left knee.
  3. Immediately deliver a left outward elbow strike (palm up or down depending on circumstance) to your opponent’s right jaw hinge or temple. (This action may cause your opponent to pass out and drop toward the ground.)
  4. Immediately follow-up with a left heel palm strike and five-finger rip to your opponent’s face while using your opponent’s shoulder and back as a fulcrum to leverage, contour, check, and enhance your action. Continue your left arm clockwise circle and execute a left inward overhead downward elbow strike to your opponent’s upper spine. (This action should cause your opponent’s body to bow toward the ground.)
  5. Follow up with a left downward heel palm strike to the back of your opponent’s left mastoid. As your left hand continues to push your opponent’s head down, simultaneously deliver a right knee strike to your opponent’s face, thus causing a sandwiching effect. (Your opponent should fall to the ground.)
  6. Replant your right foot to its POINT OF ORIGIN. Left front crossover, covering out toward 4:30.

Notes

Variations

There are several variations to this technique in the Tracy Kenpo Systems, under the same name

Locking Horns (EPAK Orange #6)

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Locking Horns is the 6th technique required to obtain your orange belt in Ed Parker’s American Kenpo. Locking Horns is a defense against a front right arm headlock putting it in the Locks & Chokes category of the Web of Knowledge as well as the Headlocks Family Group in the Locks category of the Family Groups Grappling Division.

Locking Horns teaches you how to use checks at leverage points to prevent an action while utilizing multiple methods of increasing power. It also introduces you to a new method of increasing the effectiveness of your strikes.

Defense

Locking Horns – defense for a front head lock.

  • Step 1
    • Pull down on your opponent’s choking arm,
    • Tuck your chin in toward your chest and toward your opponent’s elbow.
  • Step 2
    • Step forward with your right foot toward 11:00 forming a right wide kneel stance between your opponent’s legs,
    • Check your opponent’s right knee with a left push-down block above your opponent’s right kneecap,
    • Deliver a right underhand reverse handsword strike to your opponent’s groin.
  • Step 3
    • Clear your opponent’s right arm from around your neck with your left hand, pinning their arm against their body,
    • Quickly stand up into a right neutral bow,
    • Deliver a right vertical obscure elbow strike underneath your opponent’s chin.
  • Step 4
    • Shuffle forward,
    • Deliver a right inward downward diagonal elbow strike to your opponent’s left jaw.
    • Deliver a left inward upward hooking heel palm strike to your opponent’s right jaw.
  • Step 4
    • Cross over and cover out toward 7:30.

Additional Information

Name

The name Locking Horns comes from the manner in which horned animals, such as a the ram, would lock their horns in combat. With you being bent over and your head/neck locked it resembles this action.

Attack

The ideal phase has the attacker directly in front of you, his right leg is forward.  You will be in a bent over postion with your right shoulder, neck, head pressed against the right side of your attacker’s body as his right arm locks around your neck, down the left side and under the chin.  He may or may not grab his right wrist with his left hand to further secure the lock.

This is a very dangerous situation to be in and this type of attack can break your neck, cut off blood flow to the brain, or close off the throat keeping you from breathing resulting in unconsciousness, injury, brain damage and even death.

Basics & Maneuvers Used

  • Right Wide Kneel Stance
  • Left Push Down Block
  • Underhand Reverse Handsword Strike
  • Right Neutral Bow Stance
  • Left Downward Heel Palm Strike
  • Right Vertical Obscure Elbow Strike
  • Push-Drag Foot Maneuver
  • Right Inward Downward Diagonal Elbow Strike
  • Left Inward Hooking Heel Palm Strike

Targets

  • Groin
  • Kneecap
  • Under the Chin
  • Right side of face/jaw
  • Left side of face/jaw

Concepts & Principles Taught

  • Balance Compensation
  • Contouring
  • Leverage Points
  • Marriage of Gravity
  • Pinning Checks
  • Pressing Checks
  • Reverse Marriage of Gravity
  • Sandwiching
  • Solidify your Base
  • Stabilize your Base
  • Torque
  • Zones of Obscurity


Considerations

  • What if …
    • your opponent’s left leg is forward?
    • your opponent’s legs are spread wide apart?
    • your opponent pulls his legs back out of reach, bearing his weight down on your neck?
    • your opponent grabs you with his left arm instead?
    • your opponent pushes you back while you are in the front headlock?

Related Techniques

Historical Notes

  • Pre-1975 a close kneel stance was called for in the initial move, this is still often used today as a means to generating power (torque).
  • In the 1975 Accumulative Journal, Locking Horns was Orange Belt Technique #5

Historical Variations

1975 Accumulative Journal

LOCKING HORNS (font headlock)

  1. With feet in line with each other and body bent forward, step forward with your right foot toward 11 o’clock and deliver a right upward vertical reverse handsword to opponent’s groin while simultaneously having your left hand check opponent’s right thigh just above the knee and your chin turned in such a position so as to keep your breathing constant.   (Turn your chin to the right and tuck it against your chest.)
  2. Immediately follow-up with a right vertical obscure elbow strike to opponent’s jaw while keeping in a low right neutral bow.
  3. After snapping the elbow to opponent’s jaw loop your right elbow and strike again (shuffling forward if needed) having it drive from 1 o’clock down to 7 o’clock to the left side of opponent’s jaw as your left heel of palm hooks in and strikes opponent’s right jaw thus causing a sandwiching effect.

Unfinished Orange Belt Manual by Ed Parker

LOCKING HORNS (Front headlock)

  1. With your feet in line with each other and your body bent forward (caused by your opponent applying a front headlock using his left arm to lock you with) simultaneously (1) step forward with your right foot toward 11 o’clock into a right wide kneel stance between your opponent’s legs, (2) deliver a right underhand reverse handsword to your opponent’s groin, (3) have your left hand check just above your opponent’s right knee while (4) turning your chin to the left, and tucking it against your chest to prevent your opponent from cutting off your air supply. (Your opponent should loosen his grip and bend forward at the waist. Depending on the effectiveness of your strike, your opponent’s legs can conceivably move back and away from you.)
  2. Immediately follow-up with a right vertical obscure elbow strike to the underside of your opponent’s jaw, “with” your left hand still checking the knee, and while keeping low in a right neutral bow. (This elbow strike should force your opponent’s head up in preparation for the next strike.)
  3. After snapping your opponent’s jaw upward with your right obscure elbow, simultaneously (1) shuffle forward, (2) deliver a right inward horizontal elbow strike to the left side of your opponent’s jaw, along with (3) a left heel palm strike that hooks in and to the right side of your opponent’s jaw. (The force of this sandwiching effect may cause your opponent to pass out and fall to the ground.)
  4. Right front crossover, and cover out toward 7:30.

Notes

Variations