Crossed Twigs (Blue #15)

KenpoTech on January 30, 2011

[property_details details=”1″]

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.

Fallen Cross (Blue #13)

KenpoTech on January 23, 2011

[property_details details=”1″]

Fallen Cross is the 13th required technique to obtain your Blue Belt in Ed Parker’s American Kenpo.  Fallen Cross is a defense against two hand choke from behind, placing it in the Locks & Chokes category of the Web of Knowledge as well as the Chokes Family Group of the Grappling division.

In Fallen Cross you will begin by using your opponent’s own force.  Using borrowed force in combination with fulcruming, you attack your opponent’s thumbs, creating a hyper-extension or break of the thumb as you move away from your opponent.  As you move away from your opponent, counter manipulation comes into play as it ties up your opponent’s weapons, cancels his height zone and aligns his arms for the elbow break.  Both fulcruming and the third hand principle play a dominant role in this technique.  The technique completes with the use of  an upper case lower case moment as you deliver a kicking combination in one count and then a sandwiching strike before covering out.

The Technique

Attack

In the ideal phase your opponent is directly behind you (6:00). He applies a two-hand choke with arms extended.  It can be assumed that your opponent is pushing forward on your neck, preventing you from stepping backward.

Defense

Fallen Cross – defense for a rear two-hand choke.

  • Step 1
    • Grab both of your opponent’s wrists with both of your hands,
    • Tuck your chin into your chest,
    • Step toward 9:00 with your left foot to form a horse stance facing 12:00.
  • Step 2
    • Turn your head counter clockwise,
    • Step toward 10:30 with your right foot into a transitional right neutral bow stance,
    • and pivot counterclockwise into a left neutral bow stance facing 4:30.
    • Cross your opponent’s right arm over his left arm, at or above the elbows.
  • Step 3
    • Pull your opponent’s arms down and outward,
    • Deliver a right right upward knee kick to your opponent’s left elbow joint,
    • Immediately follow with a right front snapping ball kick to your opponent’s groin.
  • Step 4
    • Plant your right foot toward 4:30 into a right neutral bow stance,
    • Deliver a right inward horizontal elbow strike to your opponent’s jaw,
    • Check your opponent’s arms down at the elbows with your left hand.
  • Step 5
    • Execute a right front crossover,
    • cover out twice toward 12:00.

Considerations

  • What if…
    • your opponent’s arms are bent?
    • your opponent is pulling you backward as he chokes you?
    • you are unable to step to the left?
    • you are unable to step forward?
    • you are being choked from a seated position?

Notes

  • As you step toward 9:00 with your left foot you should be pulling your opponent’s arms downward to hyper extend your opponent’s thumbs against the back of your neck.  As you settle into the horse stance, continue pulling your opponent’s arms forward but rotate his arms upwards and outward to put pressure on his elbow joints, possibly breaking them.  This will not only set his arms in a position that facilitates the next move but it creates an angle of disturbance that control your opponent’s height zone.

Variations

  • Many, if not most, schools will teach delivering a left inward horizontal heel palm strike to the right side of the jaw along with the right inward elbow strike, in place of checking your opponent’s arms, in order to create a sandwiching effect. This works under the assumption that your opponent’s arms are pinned against your body as you plant your right foot forward after your front snapping ball kick.

Additional Information

Name

In this technique you will twist or cross your opponent’s arms at the elbow and this makes the arms resemble a cross. The manipulation of your opponent’s crossed arms by pulling them downward to cancel his height zone as you deliver your knee strike resembles a falling cross or a cross that has fallen to your knee.  Thus we have the name Fallen Cross.

Basics & Maneuvers

  • Left Side Step Through
  • Horse Stance
  • Right Front Step Through
  • Right Transitional Neutral Bow Stance
  • Left Neutral Bow Stance
  • Right Upward Knee Kick
  • Right Front Snapping Ball Kick
  • Right Neutral Bow Stance
  • Right Inward Horizontal Elbow Strike
  • Right Front Crossover
  • Cover Out

Targets

  • Both Wrists
  • Both Thumbs
  • Both Elbows
  • Groin
  • Jaw

Concepts & Principles

  • Anchor
  • Angle of Alignment
  • Angle of Cancellation
  • Angle of Deviation

Concepts & Principles (Con’t)

  • Angle of Disturbance
  • Angle of Execution
  • Angle of Incidence
  • Backup Mass
  • Body Momentum
  • Borrowed Force
  • Borrowed Reach
  • Contouring
  • Fulcruming
  • Gravitational Checks
  • Guidelining
  • Jerking
  • Lower Case/Upper Case
  • Marriage of Gravity
  • Obscure Zones
  • Opposing Forces
  • Pin-Point Effect
  • Pinning Checks
  • Pivoting
  • Sandwiching
  • Stabilize Your Base
  • Third Hand Principle
  • Torque
  • With


Related Techniques

Historical Notes

  • In the 1975 Accumulative Journal, Fallen Cross was Blue Belt Technique #10.
  • In the 1975 Accumulative Journal you:
    • step toward 10:00 with your right foot.
    • pivot counter clockwise to face 4:00.
    • have a 10:00 angle of departure.

Historical Versions

1975 Accumulative Journal

FALLEN CROSS   (rear two-hand choke)

  1. With feet together and opponent choking you from the rear with both of his hands, step to your left (to 9 o’clock) into a horse as you grab both of opponent’s wrists with both of your hands (right to right and left to left).
  2. Move your right foot forward to 10 o’clock (into a right neutral bow) and pivot counter clockwise as you cross opponent’s arms with his right arm over his left while now facing 4 o’clock, making sure that the arms are crossed at or above the opponent’s elbows.
  3. While still grabbing opponent’s wrists, have both of your arms force your opponent’s arms down as you deliver a right knee kick up and against the left elbow joint of your opponent (opponent’s left elbow joint should be facing down at this point).   Without hesitation and with your right knee against your opponent’s left elbow, deliver a right front snapping ball kick to opponent’s groin.
  4. As you plant your right foot forward (to 4 o’clock), deliver a right inward horizontal elbow strike (or a right inward downward diagonal forearm smash from 1 o’clock to 7 o’clock, depending upon the circumstance). Have your left hand check opponent’s arms down and toward opponent.
  5. Right front crossover and cover out to 10 o’clock.

Tripping Arrow (Blue #12)

KenpoTech on January 17, 2011

[property_details details=”1″]

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.

Raking Mace (Blue #8)

KenpoTech on December 27, 2010

[property_details details=”1″]

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.

Entangled Wing (Blue #6)

KenpoTech on December 3, 2010

[property_details details=”1″]

Entangled Wing is the 6th required technique to obtain your Blue Belt in Ed Parker’s American Kenpo. Entangled Wing is a defense against  a front arm lock, placing it in the Locks & Chokes category of the Web of Knowledge as well as the Locks Family Group in the Chokes & Locks category of the Grappling division.

In Entangled Wing, you will apply sections of different techniques learned earlier to create a defense for a new type of attack.  Entangled Wing also reemphasizes the importance of how a quick reaction can turn a disadvantaged situation into an advantageous one.  A quick reaction with your right elbow strike not only relieves pressure but can also injure your opponent. On the other hand failure to act quickly could result in your wrist or elbow being broke or your being forced to the ground.   Emphasis is placed on contact manipulation to control and injure your opponent, pinning your opponent’s arm is predominantly for control and torque is used to generate power for your strikes.

The Technique

Attack

In the ideal phase your attacker is directly in front of you (12:00). Your opponent grabs your right wrist with his right hand and lifts your arm vertically as he places his left forearm inside your elbow joint and completes the lock by grabbing his right wrist with his left hand.

Note: This type of lock isn’t the easiest to describe in words. It is important that you work with an instructor to teach you how to appropriately apply this lock.

Defense

Entangled Wing – defense for a figure-four arm lock.

  • Step 1
    • Grab your opponent’s left wrist with your left hand.
    • Step forward with your right foot toward 10:30 into a right neutral bow stance.
    • Deliver a right upward elbow strike, to relieve pressure.
  • Step 2
    • Grab your opponent’s left wrist with your right hand,
    • Pivot counterclockwise into a left neutral bow stance.
    • Deliver a left rear elbow strike to your opponent’s left kidney or ribs.
    • Pulling down on your opponent’s right arm to break his right elbow over the back of your right shoulder.
  • Step 3
    • Pivot clockwise into a horse stance.
    • Deliver a right rear elbow strike to your opponent’s midsection or left ribcage
    • Your left hand checks your opponent’s left arm.
  • Step 4
    • Execute a right front crossover
    • Double cover out toward 6:00.

Considerations

  • What if…
    • your opponent forces you to your knees?
    • your opponent forces you onto your back?
    • you are falling backwards due to the lock?
    • you are unable to step forward?
    • your opponent steps behind your right foot with his right foot?
    • you opponent steps through with his right foot so that the lock is applied with his right hip up against your right hip?
    • your opponent grabs your right arm with his left hand before entangling his arms with yours?

Notes

  • It is far better to quickly counter your opponent’s initial grabbing action than to counter his lock.  Review the Web of Knowledge to see which techniques may be utilized at this point.
  • As your raise your elbow to relieve the pressure on your arm, keep in mind that this elbow strike can be and should be delivered to your opponent’s chin, if possible.
  • Compare the attack in Entangled Wing with the attack of Twisted Twig.  Note their similarities and differences.
  • Compare the Initial movements of Entangled Wing with that of Twisted Twig.
  • Compare the movements of Entangled Wing with Captured Leaves and note the similarities and differences between the two.
  • Compare this type of figure four arm lock to the type that is more commonly thought of where the outside of the attacker’s right elbow is placed against the outside of your right elbow as the attacker’s arm snakes around yours so that their right hand grabs your right wrist.  Note the differences in application of the locks, where pressure is created and consider your method of defense.

Additional Information

Name

In American Kenpo, the term wing is used to represent the elbow. In this technique your opponent’s attack, a figure four arm lock from the front, is such that your opponent’s arms are entangled with your arms. Thus the name Entangled Wing.

Basics & Maneuvers

  • Right Front Step Through
  • Right Neutral Bow Stance
  • Right Upward Elbow Strike
  • Left Neutral Bow Stance
  • Left Rear Elbow Strike
  • Fighting Horse Stance
  • Right Rear Elbow Strike
  • Right Front Cross Over
  • Cover out

Targets

  • Left Wrist
  • Chin
  • Left Kidney/Rib Cage
  • Left Elbow
  • Midsection (Solar Plexus)/Right Rib Cage

Concepts & Principles

  • Anchoring
  • Angle of Cancellation
  • Angle of Departure
  • Angle of Disturbance
  • Backup Mass
  • Bracing Angle
  • Complimentary Angle
  • Contact Manipulation
  • Fulcruming
  • Jerking
  • Obscure Zones
  • Opposing Forces
  • Parallel Forces
  • Pinning Check
  • Positional Check
  • Reverse Motion
  • Torque
  • With


Related Techniques

Historical Notes

  • In the 1975 Accumulative Journal, Entangled Wing was Blue Belt Technique #4.
  • The 1975 Accumulative Journal indicates stepping toward 10:00 on the initial step.
  • Both the 1975 Accumulative Journal and the 1987 IKKA Studio Manuals indicate that the left rear elbow strike should go to the opponent’s groin or ribs, depending on your opponent’s height.  Call me naive but I just don’t see the strike hitting the groin.

Historical Versions

1975 Accumulative Journal

ENTANGLED WING (front arm lock)

  1. With feet together and forced into a right neutral bow, step forward and to your left with your right foot (to 10 o’clock) as you raise your right arm up and overhead (similar to a right upward elbow strike).
  2. Pivot (in place) counter clockwise and dropping low (into a left neutral bow), deliver a left back elbow strike to opponent’s groin or ribs depending upon the height of your opponent as your right arm pulls opponent’s left elbow down and breaks opponent’s elbow across the back of your right shoulder.
  3. Immediately pivot (in place) clockwise (into a horse) and execute a right back elbow strike to opponent’s mid-section or right ribcage, depending upon the circumstance. Keep your left hand in a guard position, checking at your right shoulder.
  4. Right front crossover and cover out to 6 o’clock.

1987 IKKA Studio Manual

ENTANGLED WING (Front arm lock as instructed)

  1. With your opponent applying the lock with force, step forward with your right foot toward 10:30.  Raise your right arm up and overhead (similar to a right upward elbow strike) to relieve pressure, as your left hand pins and checks your opponent’s left hand.
  2. As you pivot counterclockwise, drop into a left neutral bow, while delivering a left back elbow strike to your opponent’s groin or ribs.  (Your target will depend upon the height of your opponent.)  Simultaneously have your right arm pull your opponent’s left arm down and toward you, positioning it at the elbow, and break it across the top of your right shoulder. (This should turn your opponent to his right.)
  3. Immediately pivot clockwise into a horse stance, as you execute a right outward elbow strike to your opponent’s midsection or left ribcage, and maintain your left hand as a positional check at your right shoulder. (Your opponent should bend forward at the waist.)
  4. Execute a right front crossover, and cover out twice toward 6 o’clock.