Crossed Twigs (Blue #15)

KenpoTech on January 30, 2011

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Crossed Twigs is the 15th required technique to obtain your Blue Belt in Ed Parker’s American Kenpo.  Crossed Twigs is a defense against a two hand wrist grab from the rear, placing it in the grabs & tackles category of the Web of Knowledge as well as the Wrist Grabs Family Group in the Grabs category of the family groups Grappling division.

This technique was designed in order for you to appraise the merits of using a matching counter to control your opponent’s zones of protection and prevent his retaliation.  Torque and Marriage of Gravity are the sources of power for your actions and you are acquainted with the  principle of compounding by the logical insertion of an elbow strike to your opponent’s jaw. Finally a focus is placed on the flow of action and economization of motion.

The Technique

Attack

In the ideal phase your opponent is directly behind you (6:00). Your opponent grabs both of your wrists in order to restrain you; his right hand grabbing your right wrist and his left hand grabbing your left wrist.

An opponent grabbing you in such a position has several options available to him other than simply restraining you. You could be restrained as another attacker strikes you, he can pull you backward putting pressure on your shoulder joints, he could pull you backwards as he drives a knee into your lower back or it could be used as a transitional stage to put you into a more serious type of grappling maneuver (hug, hold, choke, lock).

Defense

Crossed Twigs –  defense for a rear double wrist grab.

  • Step 1
    • Counter grab both of your opponent’s wrists with your hands,
    • Step toward 1:30 with your left foot to form a right reverse bow stance,
    • Pull your opponent downward and forward with both of your hands.
  • Step 2
    • Pivot clockwise to form a right neutral bow stance facing 7:30,
    • Deliver a right outward upward elbow strike through your opponent’s right jaw as you cross your opponent’s arms (right over left).
  • Step 3
    • Pivot clockwise into a right forward bow stance facing 7:30
    • Continue the flow of action of your right arm, crossing your opponent’s arms, by pulling his right arm down and behind you.
  • Step 4
    • Release your grasp with your right hand,
    • Deliver a right inward overhead elbow strike to your opponent’s upper spine,
  • Step 5
    • Release your grip with your left hand,
    • Deliver simultaneous right and left downward heel palm strike’s to your opponent’s left kidney and left rib cage, grabbing and pinching them,
    • Execute a left upward knee kick to your opponent’s right ribs.
  • Step 6
    • Plant your left foot back to point and origin
    • Execute a right front crossover
    • Cover out twice toward 1:30.

Considerations

  • What if…
    • your opponent pulls you back?
    • your opponent forces you forward?
    • your opponent cross grabs your wrists from behind?
    • your opponent grabs your elbows instead of your wrists?
    • your opponent breaks your grip before the elbow strike?
    • your opponent breaks your grip as you are crossing his arms?
    • you are unable to step forward?

Notes

  • As you pivot clockwise, keep your opponent’s left arm below the level of your buttocks. Alternatively, you can use your buttocks to anchor your opponent’s left arm in place.
  • It is important to keep in mind that steps 2 through 4 are meant to be one continuous flow of action.
  • Be sure that when you are crossing your opponent’s arms, you do not pull the right arm horizontally.  You open yourself up to an elbow in the face. This could even occur without your opponent’s intent should you lose your grip on his wrist.
  • To maximize the effect of the right inward overhead elbow strike employ marriage of gravity by dropping into a right wide kneel stance as the elbow makes contact with your opponent.
  • Consider working on tightening your circular paths of action. See how it improves your timing and places your moves in sync; increasing the speed and force of your strikes.
  • Practice counter grabbing a partner’s wrists and get the proper feel for its application. Doing so will induce proper and successful manipulation of your opponent.
  • Compare to other techniques and determine how creating an Angle of Disturbance works in your favor.
  • Note the various types of body momentum used in this technique and how often it occurs.
  • Work on timing when applying the sandwiching effect in order to maximize its potential.

Additional Information

Name

In American Kenpo the term twig is used to represent the arms. In this technique your opponent’s arms (twigs) are crossed as part of your defense giving us the name Crossed Twigs.

Basics & Maneuvers

  • Left Front Step Through
  • Right Reverse Bow Stance
  • Right Neutral Bow Stance
  • Right Outward Upward Diagonal Elbow Strike
  • Right Forward Bow Stance
  • Right Inward Overhead Elbow Strike
  • Right Wide Kneel Stance
  • Left Downward Heel Palm Strike
  • Right Downward Heel Palm Strike
  • Left Upward Knee Kick
  • Right Front Crossover
  • Cover Out

Targets

  • Face
  • Jaw
  • Upper Spine
  • Left Kidney
  • Left Rib Cage
  • Right Rib Cage

Concepts & Principles

  • Anchoring
  • Angle of Cancellation
  • Angle of Disturbance

Concepts & Principles (Con’t)

  • Angle of Entry
  • Angle of Execution
  • Angle of Incidence
  • Backup Mass
  • Body Momentum
  • Borrowed Force
  • Continuity of Motion
  • Contouring (Fitting)
  • Control Distance
  • Detaining Check
  • Economy of Motion
  • Figure 8 Pattern
  • Gravitational Check
  • Lower Case/Upper Case
  • Marriage of Gravity
  • Matching Counter
  • Obscure Zones
  • Opposing Forces
  • Pivoting
  • Purposeful Compliance
  • Purposeful Defiance
  • Rounding The Corners
  • Sandwiching
  • Solidify Your Base
  • Torque
  • With


Related Techniques

Historical Notes

1975 Accumulative Journal

  • In the 1975 Accumulative Journal, Crossed Twigs is Blue Belt Technique #12
  • The 1975 Accumulative Journal has you; step toward 1:00 on the initial move, pivot clockwise toward 7:00, crossover and cover out toward 12:00.
  • The 1975 version has you deliver a right horizontal elbow strike to your opponent’s jaw which creates two problems; the angle isn’t correct requiring you to cock before delivering the strike and it invites you to continue the flow of motion horizontally which opens the possibility of your opponent delivering an elbow to your face.  The angle has been officially changed in future versions.

Historical Versions

CROSSED TWIGS (rear two-hand grab to wrists)

  1. With feet together and opponent grabbing your wrists from the rear counter grab both of opponent’s wrists (right to right and left to left) as you step to l o’clock with your left foot (into a left neutral bow ).
  2. Pivot clockwise facing 7 o’clock (still maintaining wrist grabs) as you cross your opponent’s arms (right over left) in the process, have your right elbow strike horizontally and outward to opponent’s right jaw and continue to pull opponent’s right arm down with your right (have your left hand which is grabbing opponent’s wrist pull down and below the level of your buttocks).
  3. Release only your right grasp and circle counter clockwise with your right looping inward overhead elbow strike down to upper spine of opponent.
  4. Release your left grasp and with your right, double heel palm, grab, and pinch opponent’s left kidney and ribs as you kick your opponent’s right ribcage with your left knee.
  5. Replant your left foot to point of origin. Right front crossover and cover to 2 o’clock.

Raking Mace (Blue #8)

KenpoTech on December 27, 2010

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Raking Mace is the 8th required technique to obtain your blue belt in Ed Parker’s American Kenpo. Raking Mace is a defense against a two hand lapel grab where the attacker pulls you toward them, placing it in the Grabs & Tackles category of the Web of Knowledge as well as the Shoulder & Lapel Grab Family Group in the Grabs category of the Grappling division.

In Raking Mace you turn your opponent’s efforts to manipulate you into your own advantage by borrowing the force of your opponent’s pull to increase the force of your initial strike. You then use a series of close range strikes forcing your opponent to react in a predetermined manner to set up the next strike.

The Technique

Attack

In the ideal phase your attacker is directly in front of you (12:00). He proceeds to grab you at chest level (shirt or lapel) with both hands and pulls you toward him.

Defense

Raking Mace – defense for a two-hand lapel grab.

  • Step 1
    • Pin your opponent’s hands to your chest with your left hand
    • Step forward with your right foot toward 12:00 into a right neutral bow stance
    • Deliver a right snapping uppercut punch to your opponent’s solar plexus
  • Step 2
    • Circle your right hand counter clockwise
    • Deliver a right inward downward diagonal raking hammerfist strike to the bridge of your opponent’s nose.
    • Continue the motion striking down across your opponent’s forearms.
  • Step 3
    • Deliver a right outward handsword strike to your opponent’s throat.
  • Step 4
    • Deliver a right inward horizontal elbow strike to the left side of your opponent’s jaw.
    • Deliver a left inward heel palm strike to the right side of your opponent’s jaw.
  • Step 5
    • Execute a right front crossover
    • Cover out twice toward 7:30.

Considerations

  • What if…
    • your opponent has his right foot forward?
    • your opponent has his left foot forward?
    • your opponent is wearing a heavy coat?
    • your opponent pulls you forward and then attempts a front bear hug?
    • your opponent pulls you forward and then pushes you back?

Variations

  • The right uppercut punch is sometimes replaced with a right middle knuckle strike, as taught in Tracy’s Striking Asp.
  • Some schools will teach the handsword strike to the throat as a snapping strike following with the elbow in a circular fashion. This will generate more power for the elbow strike and allows for the clearing of your opponent’s arms in the event that they are still on you.
  • Some schools will teach the handsword strike so that it remains at your opponent’s throat thus delivering the elbow as a collapsing elbow strike. This conserves energy, time and minimizes motion, however it is important to be sure the the downward strike on your opponent’s forearms sufficiently cleared them or collapsed them to prevent your opponent from pushing you away.
  • A forward shuffle (push-drag) may be necessary if the distance between you and your opponent is increased after the handsword strike.

Notes

  • Comparing Raking Mace with Mace of Aggression is an excellent discussion point as these two techniques are very similar.  Some things to consider would be:
    • The differences between the technique
    • How Mace of Aggression influences the way some teach Raking Mace
    • The Situations where one may be advantageous over the other
    • The Origin of Mace of Aggression and its place in yellow belt.
  • Explore the method of pinning your attacker’s hands to your chest, particularly the leveraging of your opponent’s left wrist/hand in the process.

Additional Information

Name

In American Kenpo the term mace refers to the fist. In this technique you deliver the mace across the bridge of your opponent’s nose in a raking manner which has your knuckles raking across your opponent’s face. This gives us the name Raking Mace.

Basics & Maneuvers

  • Right Front Step Through
  • Right Neutral Bow Stance
  • Right Uppercut Punch
  • Right Inward Downward Diagonal Raking Back Knuckle Strike
  • Right Outward Handsword Strike
  • Right Inward Horizontal Elbow Strike
  • Left Inward Horizontal Heel Palm Strike
  • Right Front Crossover
  • Double Cover Out

Targets

  • Left Wrist
  • Solar Plexus
  • Bridge of Nose/Left Eye Socket
  • Forearms
  • Throat (Trachea)
  • Jaw

Concepts & Principles

  • Anchoring
  • Angle of Cancellation
  • Angle of Contact

Concepts & Principles (Cont’d)

  • Angle of Execution
  • Backup Mass
  • Body Alignment
  • Borrowed Force
  • Complimentary Angle
  • Contouring
  • Control Distance
  • Depth Penetration
  • Economy of Motion
  • Minor Major Concept
  • Obscure Zones
  • Opposing Forces
  • Parallel Forces
  • Pinning Check
  • Purposeful Compliance
  • Raking
  • Rebounding Check
  • Rounding the Corners
  • Sandwiching
  • Torque
  • Tracking
  • Trapping
  • Upper Case/Lower Case
  • With


Related Techniques

Historical Notes

  • In the 1975 Accumulative Journal Raking Mace was Blue Belt Technique #6.
  • The 1975 Accumulative Journal had you step toward 11:00 with your right foot on the initial move and indicated a 6:00 Angle of Departure.

Historical Versions

1975 Accumulative Journal

RAKING MACE (front two-hand lapel grab — pull in)

  1. With feet together and as your opponent pulls you in, have your right foot step forward and to your left to 11 o’clock (into a right neutral bow). Simultaneously strike with a right uppercut punch to opponent’s solar plexus as your left hand horizontally pins both of opponent’s hands down.
  2. Immediately have your right hand circle counter clockwise (while your left hand still guards) and have the knuckles of your right fist rake (from 1o’clock to 7 o’clock) down and across the bridge of opponent’s nose; continue the move and strike down (diagonally) on opponent’s forearm,
  3. Follow-up with a right outward chop to opponent’s throat.
  4. And a right inward horizontal elbow to the left jaw of your opponent as your left heel of palm simultaneously strikes to opponent’s right jaw to cause a sandwiching effect.
  5. Right front crossover and cover out to 6 o’clock.

Begging Hands (Blue #1)

KenpoTech on September 14, 2010

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Begging Hands is the 1st technique requirement to obtain your Blue Belt in Ed Parker’s American Kenpo. Begging Hands is a defense against a two-hand wrist grab from the front, placing it in the Grabs and Tackles category of the Web of Knowledge as well as the Wrist Grabs Family Group in the Grabs category of the family groups Grappling division.

In Begging Hands you are introduced to a double wrist grab and as a result you respond with a dual movement.  The rotation of your hands is the reverse response of Hooking Wings. In Hooking Wings you rotate your hands inward and downward while in Begging Hands you rotate your hands upward and outward. The principles learned in Hooking Wings are reinforced in Begging Hands. Your focus in Begging Hands is to stabilize your base, momentarily disturb your opponent’s balance, control your opponent’s center line, cancel your opponent’s height zone, and nullify your opponent’s ability to attack with any of his weapons.

The Technique

Attack

In the ideal phase your opponent is directly in front of you (12:00). Your opponent grabs your left wrist with his right hand and your right wrist with his left hand.  The grabs are on the tops of your wrists with your opponent’s palms facing down.

This attack is a restraint that keeps your hands under your opponent’s control. In this position he is able to kick you, headbutt you or direct you into an unfavorable position.  You may be thrown to the ground, into another object or be held in place for a second opponent.

Defense

Begging Hands – defense for double wrist grabs from the front.

  • Step 1
    • Step back toward 6:00 with your left foot to form a right neutral bow stance facing 12:00,
    • Rotate your hands up and outward on top of your opponent’s wrists (palm up),
    • Pull your elbows back and down toward your hips to be anchored.
  • Step 2
    • Slide your right foot back into a transitional right 45° cat stance,
    • Immediately, deliver a right front snapping ball kick to your opponent’s groin.
  • Step 3
    • Plant your right foot forward toward 12:00,
    • Deliver a left front snapping ball kick to your opponent’s chest or face
  • Step 4
    • Plant your left foot forward toward 12:00 int a left neutral bow stance.
    • Deliver simultaneous left and right torquing heel palm strikes underneath your opponent’s rib cage.
  • Step 5
    • Left front cross over
    • Cover out twice toward 4:30.

Considerations

  • What if…
    • your opponent grabs your fingers instead?
    • your opponent grabs your elbows or upper arms instead?
    • your opponent grabs your wrists with your arms crossed (double cross wrist grab)?
    • your opponent tries to kick you while holding your wrists?
    • your opponent tries to headbutt you while holding your wrists?
    • you are unable to step back?

Notes

  • Be sure to stabilize your base after the initial move before sliding into the transitional cat stance. In doing so make sure you are in a proper right neutral bow with your toes pointed in the proper direction. This will protect your groin.
  • When you are in the “Begging Hands” position, be sure that your hands are unclenched and your fingers are together. This will prevent injury to your fingers, increase your checking options and the sensitivity of your hands.
  • Time your double heel palm thrusts so that they occur at the moment you plant your left foot into a left neutral bow stance to take advantage of body momentum and marriage of gravity in order to maximize the effect of the strike.
  • Be sure that your double heel palm thrusts drive through your opponent and not lift him.

Variations

  • Many schools teach the two front snapping ball kicks to be executed in a chicken kick fashion by starting to deliver the left front snapping kick before your right foot is fully planted. This is still proper for the the technique
  • Some schools will teach planting the left foot into a left forward bow stance after the left front snapping kick or chicken kick.

Additional Information

Name

The name of this technique comes from the position of your hands during the initial move. When you rotate your hands in, up and then out into outward hooking parries your hands will be palm up and out as if you were begging for money. This gives us the name, Begging Hands.

Basics & Maneuvers

  • Left Reverse Step Through
  • Right Neutral Bow Stance
  • Double Outward Hooking Parries
  • Transitional Right 45° Cat Stance
  • Right Front Snapping Ball Kick
  • Left Front Snapping Ball Kick
  • Left Neutral Bow Stance
  • Double Torquing Heel Palm Strikes
  • Left Front Crossover
  • Cover Out

Targets

  • Groin
  • Solar Plexus/Face
  • Ribcage

Concepts & Principles

  • Anchoring
  • Angle of Cancellation
  • Angle of Disturbance
  • Angle of Execution
  • Angle of Entry
  • Backup Mass
  • Body Momentum
  • Borrowed Force
  • Borrowed Reach
  • Contouring
  • Fitting
  • Get The Upper Hand
  • Gauging
  • Marriage of Gravity
  • Purposeful Compliance
  • Purposeful Defiance
  • Stabilize your Base


Related Techniques

  • Thrusting Salute (O-4)
  • Crossed Twigs (B-15)
  • Destructive Twins (B-22)
  • Desperate Falcons (3Br-8)
  • Unfolding the Dark (2Br-14)
  • Aggressive Twins

Historical Notes

  • In the 1975 Accumulative Journal, the cat stance was part of the first step. You would complete the cat stance as you completed your double outward hooking parries.
  • The 1975 Accumulative Journal indicates the angle of departure as 6:00.
  • The 1987 IKKA Studio Manuals indicate the angle of departure as 4:30.

Historical Versions

1975 Accumulative Journal

BEGGING HANDS (front two-hand grab to wrists)

  1. With feet together, step back with your left foot (to 6 o’clock) into a right neutral bow as you have both of your hands assimilate begging (palm up) on the top of your opponent’s wrists as your right foot draws back into a right cat stance.
  2. Immediately deliver a right snapping ball kick to opponent’s groin.
  3. Plant your right foot (toward 12 o’clock) adjusting its depth according to the circumstance and deliver a left snapping ball kick to opponent’s chin.
  4. As you plant your left foot forward (toward 12 o’clock) into a left neutral bow, deliver a double torquing heel of palm thrust under opponent’s chest, shuffling forward if needed.
  5. Left front crossover and over out to 6 o’clock.

1987 IKKA Studio Manuals

BEGGING HANDS (Front two-hand grab to wrists)

  1. Standing naturally, step back with your left foot toward 6 o’clock into a right neutral bow (facing 12 o’clock). Execute two back elbow thrusts as you simultaneously have both of your hands circle (from inside out) up, over and on top of your opponent’s wrists, simulating begging with both hands turned palms up.
  2. Without disturbing your flow of motion, slide your right foot back into a right 45 degree cat stance, and immediately deliver a right front snapping ball kick to your opponent’s groin. (Your opponent should bend forward at the waist, as his entire body moves away from you.)
  3. Plant your right foot toward 12 o’clock (making sure that you adjust the depth of your planting foot according to circumstances) and deliver a left front snapping ball kick to your opponent’s chin or chest. (Your opponent’s head and chest should snap up.)
  4. As you plant your left foot forward into a left neutral bow (facing 12 o’clock), deliver twin torquing hell palm thrusts under your opponent’s ribcage (Fitting). Shuffle forward if needed. (This should knock the wind out of your opponent, cause him to bend forward at the waist, and possibly drop to the ground.)
  5. Execute a left front crossover and cover out twice toward 4:30.

Twin Kimono (Purple #20)

KenpoTech on September 4, 2010

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Twin Kimono is the 20th technique required to earn your purple belt in Ed Parker’s American Kenpo. Twin Kimono is a defense against a two hand lapel grab that is pushing out, placing it in the Grabs and Tackles category of the Web of Knowledge as well as the Shoulder/Lapel Family Group in the Grabs category of the family groups Grappling division.

Twin Kimono is obviously similar to Lone Kimono however due to the need for more strength in order to clear two arms as opposed to one, you will insert an interim strike between the upward strike and the clearing motion. This will help elongate your circle which will allow for greater speed, momentum and force.

The Technique

Attack

In the ideal phase your opponent is directly in front of you (12:00). He grabs your shirt with both hands and extends both arms forward, pushing you away.

The attack in Twin Kimono is a bit more difficult to defend against but it is also more safe for you as the defender. In Lone Kimono your opponent’s free hand was available for an additional strike. In Twin Kimono both of your opponent’s hands are occupied making it less likely to be used as another form of attack.  On the opposite side of the coin it is more difficult to sprain or break your opponent’s arms.  The pushing away motion of this grab can be used to unbalance you or to drive you into another object. It is important that you quickly solidify your base and negate the attack before your fall or are pushed into something that can cause further harm.

Defense

Twin Kimono – defense for a double lapel grab.

  • Step 1
    • Pin your opponent’s arms at the wrists with your left hand and arm,
    • Step back toward 6:00 with your left foot to form a right neutral bow stance facing 12:00,
    • Deliver a right upward horizontal forearm strike to your opponent’s elbows.
  • Step 2
    • Shift your left foot counter clockwise toward 4:30 to form a right neutral bow stance facing 10:30.
    • Deliver a right outward horizontal back knuckle strike to your opponent’s solar plexus.
  • Step 3
    • Deliver a right inward downward diagonal forearm strike to your opponent’s left arm.
    • Your left hand covers high.
  • Step 4
    • Deliver a right snapping outward handsword strike to your opponent’s throat,
    • Your left hand should continue checking.
  • Step 5
    • Right front crossover and cover out toward 4:30.

Considerations

  • What if…
    • your opponent’s elbows remain bent?
    • your opponent pulls you toward him?
    • your opponent’s right leg is forward?
    • your opponent’s left left is forward?
    • your opponent follows the grab with a knee strike?
    • you cannot step backward?

Notes

  • While your left hand is reaching to pin your opponent’s arms, you can insert a slice or hook to the eyes.
  • While you are striking your opponent’s left arm with your right inward downward diagonal forearm strike, your fist could strike your opponent’s temple at the same time.
  • Emphasis should be placed on breaking your opponent’s left elbow and spraining his right elbow.
  • Make sure that your opponent’s arms are driven down and diagonally to your left with your right inward downward diagonal forearm strike.
  • Ensure your strikes to your opponent’s body are not wasted motion. Employ the proper angle of incidence.

Additional Information

Name

A Kimono is a traditional Japanese Robe or Tunic while the word Twin represents double  or two of something.  In this technique your opponent grabs your shirt (kimono) at the lapel area with both (twin) hands. This two-hand (Twin) grab to the shirt (Kimono) gives us the name Twin Kimono.

Basics & Maneuvers

  • Left Reverse Step Through
  • Right Neutral Bow Stance
  • Right Upward Forearm Strike
  • Right Outward Horizontal Back Knuckle Strike
  • Right Inward Downward Diagonal Forearm Strike
  • Outward Upward Diagonal Handsword Strike
  • Right Front Crossover
  • Cover Out

Targets

  • Wrists
  • Elbows
  • Solar Plexus
  • Throat

Concepts & Principles

  • Anchoring
  • Angle of Alignment
  • Angle of Cancellation
  • Angle of Disturbance
  • Borrowed Force

Concepts & Principles (Con’t)

  • Breaking
  • Complimentary Angle
  • Continuity of Motion
  • Contouring
  • Counter Manipulation
  • Elongating the Circle
  • Frictional Pull
  • Hugging Pin
  • Locking
  • Lowercase Movement
  • Neutral Zones
  • Path of Action
  • Pinning Check
  • Pivot Points
  • Pivoting
  • Rebounding Strike
  • Rounding the Corners
  • Squeegee Principle
  • Stabilize Your Base
  • Uppercase Movement
  • Upside of the Circle
  • Zones of Obscurity


Related Techniques

Historical Notes

  • In the 1975 Accumulative Journal you slid your left foot toward 4:00 as you delivers your right outward back knuckle strike.
  • The 1975 Accumulative Journal indicated an angle of departure at 4:00

Historical Versions

1975 Accumulative Journal

TWIN KIMONO (front two-hand lapel grab — push out)

  1. With feet together, drop back (to 6 o’clock) with your left foot (into a right neutral bow as your left arm pins your opponent’s arms while simultaneously delivering a right upward forearm strike against opponent’s elbow joints.
  2. Immediately shift your left foot counter clockwise to 4 o’clock as you cock and deliver a right back knuckle strike to opponent’s solar plexus.
  3. Follow-up with a right inward strike to both arms of opponent, striking  them diagonally and down to the left.
  4. Deliver a right outward chop to opponent’s throat.
  5. Right front crossover and cover out to 4 o’clock.

Darting Mace (Purple #14)

KenpoTech on August 20, 2010

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Darting Mace is the 14th required technique to obtain your purple belt in Ed Parker’s American Kenpo. Darting Mace is a defense against two hand right wrist grab from the front, placing it in the Grabs and Tackles category of the Web of Knowledge as well as the Wrist Grab Family Group in the Grabs category of the family groups Grappling division.

Darting Mace introduces you to the concept of ricocheting as you deliver a thrusting forearm strike that grafts into vertical thrust punch.  After your initial reaction, borrowed force and borrowed reach combined with opposing forces will break the grip.  Then you are introduced to half-beat timing is introduced as you deliver a transitory strike during a transitory stance en route to your final position to complete the technique.

The Technique

Attack

In the ideal phase your attacker is directly in front of you (12:00).  He steps forward with his right foot and grabs your right wrist with both hands.

Wrist grabs are used to force you into a desired position or to maintain control of your weapons (fists). Your opponent’s motive could be simply to intimidate you, drag you away, set you up for another strike, or set you up for another attacker to strike.

Defense

Darting Mace – defense for a double grab to your right wrist.

  • Step 1
    • Counter grab your opponent’s right wrist with your right hand
    • Step forward toward 12:00 with your left foot to form a left neutral bow stance,
    • Deliver a left thrusting inward downward forearm strike to your opponent’s right elbow
    • continue the motion of your left arm to deliver a left ricocheting vertical thrust punch to your opponent’s face.
    • Pull your opponent’s right arm down on a 45° angle toward your right hip.
  • Step 2
    • Pivot counterclockwise to form a left forward bow stance facing 12:00.
    • Check your opponent’s arms down against his body with a left push-down block.
    • Deliver a right vertical thrust punch to your opponent’s solar plexus or rib cage.
  • Step 3
    • Slide your right foot toward 12:00 to form a right transitional 45° degree cat stance.
    • Deliver a left outward thrusting handsword strike to your opponent’s throat.
    • Cock your right fist to you right rib cage.
    • Continue to step forward forward toward 12:00 with your right foot into a right neutral bow stance, buckling your opponent’s right inner knee.
    • Deliver a right thrusting heel palm strike to your opponent’s jaw
    • Your left hand covers low.
  • Step 5
    • Right front crossover
    • Cover out toward 6:00.

Notes

  • During the initial step, the ideal position for your left leg would be just outside your opponent’s right leg so that you can buckle his right outer knee.
  • The left inward downward block and the left vertical punch are the same motion. You punch ricochets off of your opponent’s forearm.
  • On your left push down block your forearm should be horizontal across both of your opponent’s arms.

Considerations

  • What if …
    • your opponent’s left foot is forward?
    • your opponent pulls you toward him?
    • your opponent attempts to turn you?
    • your opponent tries to lift your arm up?
    • your opponent tries to kick you (either foot) while holding your wrist?

Variations

  • Some schools will teach delivering a right thrusting knee strike to the attacker’s groin as you step forward into a right neutral bow.  This knee strike is part of the extension at 1st Black in the 1975 Accumulative Journal.

Additional Information

Name

In American Kenpo, the term mace is used to represent a strike with a fist.  In this technique you will execute a punch in a very rapid darting manner, thus the name Darting Mace.

Basics & Maneuvers

  • Left Front Step Through
  • Left Neutral Bow Stance
  • Left Ricocheting Vertical Punch
  • Left Forward Bow Stance
  • Right Vertical Thrust Punch
  • Right Transitional Close Cat Stance
  • Right Front Step Through
  • Left Outward Horizontal Handsword Strike
  • Right Thrusting Knee Kick
  • Right Thrusting Heel Palm Strike
  • Right Front Crossover
  • Cover Out

Targets

  • Right Wrist
  • Right Elbow
  • Face
  • Solar Plexus
  • Right Inner Knee
  • Jaw

Concepts & Principles

  • Angle of Cancellation
  • Angle of Deflection
  • Angle of Execution
  • Backup Mass
  • Borrowed Force
  • Borrowed Reach
  • Bracing Angle
  • Continuity of Motion
  • Contouring
  • Counter Manipulation
  • Half Beat Timing
  • Hugging Check
  • Opposing Forces
  • Pinning Check
  • Pivoting
  • Sliding Check
  • Solidify Your Base
  • Threading
  • Transitional Moves
  • Torque


Related Techniques

  • Attacking Mace (Y-9)
  • Crossing Talon (O-13)
  • Gripping Talon (B-20)
  • Menacing Twirl (G-8)
  • Taming the Mace (G-16)
  • Cross of Death (G-18)
  • Clipping the Storm (G-22)
  • Circling Fans (3Br-3)
  • Desperate Falcons (3Br-8)

Historical Notes

  • In the 1975 Accumulative Journal, Darting Mace was purple belt requirement #15.
  • The 1975 Accumulative Journal tells you to step in front of your opponent’s left leg, the 1987 IKKA Studio Manuals tells you to step between your opponent’s legs.
  • The 1975 Accumulative Journal indicates an angle of departure toward 6:00 and the 1987 IKKA Studio Manuals indicate an angle of departure toward 7:30.

Historical Versions

1975 Accumulative Journal

DARTING MACE (font two-hand wrist grab)

  1. With feet together and opponent’s hands grabbing your right wrist, step forward (toward 12 or 1 o’clock depending upon the position of your opponent’s feet) and in front of opponent’s right leg with your left foot (left neutral bow) as your right hand counter grabs opponent’s right wrist and your left forearm is used as a thrusting inward strike before converting to a left vertical punch to opponent’s face.
  2. Drop your left arm down (while still in place) and horizontally across opponent’s arms as you pull your right hand out of your opponent’s grasp and immediately strike with your right fist (vertically to opponent’s solar plexus while shifting (in place) into a left forward bow.
  3. As your left hand delivers an outward chop (palm down) to opponent’s throat (while your right hand guards low), simultaneously move your right foot up and alongside of your left foot into a right close cat stance.
  4. Without hesitation step though into a right neutral bow between 11 and 12 o’clock with your right foot; stepping inside of and through opponent’s right knee in order to buckle as you deliver a right heel of palm thrust to opponent’s jaw and guard with your left hand.
  5. Right front crossover and cover out to 6 o’clock.