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.

Repeated Devastation (Blue #5)

KenpoTech on November 28, 2010

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Repeated Devastation is the 5th required technique to obtain your Blue belt in Ed Parker’s American Kenpo. Repeated Devastation is a defense against a full nelson from the rear, placing it in the Hugs and Holds category of the Web of Knowledge as well as the Full Nelson Family Group in the Holds and Hugs category of the family groups Grappling division.

In Repeated Devastation your primary focus is on your opponent’s hold. You step forward to gain balance while disrupting your opponent’s balance to set up your repeated elbow strikes where rotational force is the key ingredient to making it repeated devastation. You will be introduced to the third hand principle, as well as the front-to-back switch in this technique.

The Technique

Attack

In the ideal phase your opponent is directly behind you (6:00) and places you in a full nelson hold.  It is assumed that your the hold is completed and your opponent is pushing your head forward making it impossible to maintain the proper balance necessary to execute Scraping Hoof.

Defense

Repeated Devastation – defense for a full nelson.

  • Step 1
    • Step toward 3:00 with your right foot to form a modified horse stance facing 12:00.
    • Deliver simultaneous left & right punches over and behind your head to your opponent’s face.
  • Step 2
    • Drop your weight and lower into a horse stance,
    • Drive both elbows downward into your opponent’s biceps,
    • Thrust both fists towards the ground
    • Slide your feet back together as you straighten and stiffen your entire body
    • Deliver a rear head butt to your opponent’s face.
  • Step 3
    • Step forward with your left foot toward 1:30 into a transitional left neutral bow stance,
    • Pin your opponent’s left arm with your left arm as you grab your opponent’s right hand with your left hand,
    • Pivot clockwise into a right forward bow stance facing your opponent.
    • Deliver a right outward horizontal elbow strike to the right side of your opponent’s jaw.
  • Step 4
    • Slide your left foot back to your right foot and step forward with your right foot toward 10:30 into a transitional right neutral bow stance.
    • Pin your opponent’s right arm to your body with your right arm and grab his left wrist with your right hand,
    • pivot counterclockwise to form a left forward bow stance facing your opponent.
    • Deliver a left outward horizontal elbow strike to the left side of your opponent’s jaw.
  • Step 5
    • Execute a left front crossover
    • Double Cover out toward 10:30.

Considerations

  • What if…
    • your opponent forces your head down, bending you forward at the waist?
    • your opponent pulls you backwards?
    • you are unable to step forward or your opponent pushes you towards a wall?
    • your opponent doesn’t release his hold after your initial strikes?
    • your opponent falls to his knees while maintaining the hold?
    • your opponent is taller than you?
    • your opponent is shorter than you?

Notes

  • Stepping towards 3:00 on the initial move will establish your base. If your base is established then you can time the downward drop of the elbows with planting into a horse stance to gain more power through marriage of gravity.
  • Experiment with different strikes to the face on the first move, determine the strengths and weaknesses of using claws and middle knuckle strikes.
  • Learn to insert and suffix scraping hoof into repeated devastation and see how they exemplify grafting techniques.
  • Take special note of the simultaneous checks with your strikes and define the types of checks that you are employing throughout this technique?
  • For what other attacks can you use a similar reponse to overcome your opponent?
  • Experiment with suffixing wrist locks onto this technique as possible take downs.

Variations

  • A variation that I prefer starts by (1) Shoot two claws to your opponent’s face (2) Step towards 3:00 with your right foot into a horse stance and drive your elbows downward into your opponent’s biceps as your right foot plants (to maximize force) (3) Immediately thrust both fists towards the ground (angled inward just in front of your bladder), locking your arms, while you slide your right foot back to your left (straightening your entire body) and deliver a rear head butt strike to your opponent’s face.
    • It is important to understand the original version is the way it is first. The initial step is to help stabilize your base. So in the event your base isn’t stabilized it is important to follow the original version. Otherwise this will just speed things up.

Additional Information

Name

The name of this technique comes from the repeated use of the elbows which used correctly will have devastating effects. Thus the name Repeated Devastation.

Basics & Maneuvers

  • Left Back Over the Shoulder Punch
  • Right Back Over the Shoulder Punch
  • Modified Horse Stand
  • Left Downward Elbow Strike
  • Right Downward Elbow Strike
  • Modified Attention Stance
  • Rear Head Butt Strike
  • Left Front Step Through
  • Left Transitional Neutral Bow Stance
  • Right Forward Bow Stance
  • Right Outward Horizontal Elbow Strike
  • Front-to-Back Switch
    • Left Reverse Step Through
    • Right Front Step Through
  • Right Transitional Neutral Bow Stance
  • Left Forward Bow Stance
  • Left Outward Horizontal Elbow Strike
  • Left Front Crossover
  • Double Cover Out

Targets

  • Eyes/Face
  • Left Forearm
  • Right Forearm
  • Left Side of Head/Jaw
  • Right Side of Head/Jaw

Concepts & Principles

  • Anchoring
  • Angle of Cancellation
  • Angle of Departure
  • Angle of Disturbance
  • Angle of Entry
  • Body Alignment
  • Body Momentum
  • Borrowed Force
  • Bumping
  • Complimentary Angle
  • Contact Manipulation
  • Counter Balance
  • Counter Manipulation
  • Guidelining
  • Hugging Check
  • Marriage of Gravity
  • Opposing Forces
  • Pinning Check
  • Point of Origin
  • Positional Check
  • Reverse Body Momentum
  • Sandwiching
  • Stabilize Your Base
  • Switching
  • Third Hand Principle
  • Torque
  • Trapping
  • With


Related Techniques

  • Scraping Hoof (O-11)
  • Obscure Sword (O-22)
  • Wings of Silk (B-19)
  • Menacing Twirl (G-8)
  • Conquering Shield (G-15)
  • Twirling Sacrifice (G-17)
  • Blinding Sacrifice (3Br-21)

Historical Notes

  • In the 1975 Accumulative Journal, Repeated Devastation was Blue Belt Technique #3.
  • The 1975 Accumulative Journal indicates 12:00 as the Angle of Departure.

Historical Versions

1975 Accumulative Journal

REPEATED DEVASTATION (full nelson)

  1. With feet together and while in a full Nelson, strike over and back of your head with both of your fists (palms facing forward) to opponent’s face (sandwiching his head) as your right foot steps to 3 o’clock into a narrow horse stance.
  2. Strike both of your elbows down to opponent’s biceps (palms still facing forward) while dropping lower in your horse stance and immediately thrust both fists toward the ground (palms facing you) as you straighten and stiffen your knees.
  3. Step forward (in a straight line) with your left foot toward 12 o’clock  into a left neutral bow and pivot clockwise into a right forward bow (facing 6 o’clock) as you deliver a right outward thrusting elbow strike to opponent’s right jaw.
  4. Plant your left foot back to the point of origin and step forward with your right foot toward 2 o’clock into a right neutral bow and pivot counter clockwise into a left forward bow (facing 6 o’clock) as you deliver a left outward thrusting elbow strike to opponent’s left jaw.
  5. Left front crossover and cover out to 12 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.

Gift In Return (Purple #17)

KenpoTech on September 2, 2010

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Gift In Return is the 17th required technique to obtain your Purple Belt in Ed Parker’s American Kenpo. Gift In Return is a defense against a right handshake from the front, placing it in the Hugs and Holds category of the Web of Knowledge as well as the Hand Holds Family Group in the Hugs and Holds category of the family groups Grappling division.

In this technique you surprise your opponent by faking pain and then striking him in the groin with his own hand while moving you out of the line of attack and canceling his weapons by controlling his zones of protection. Controlling his height prevents him from kicking, controlling his width prevents use of his opposite arm and leg and controlling his depth will neutralize his power. Lastly this technique moves you to the rear of your opponent which allows you to strike a variety of targets, force compliance and humiliate your opponent without risk to yourself.

The Technique

Attack

In the ideal phase your opponent is directly in front of you (12:00). He takes your right hand with his right hand.

As mentioned in the first handshake technique, a handshake is generally a gesture of good will and makes you feel at ease by giving you a sense of trust in the individual.  A negative use of the handshake could simply be its deceptive nature.  By offering you the hand you become at east and then your opponent takes advantage of this to attack you.  Gift In Return can be used as an answer to some of the What-If Scenario’s as it serves well if your opponent is pulling you toward them or attempts to follow the handshake with a left punch.

Defense

Gift in Return – defense for a handshake.

  • Step 1
    • Step forward to 11:00 with your left foot to form a left neutral bow stance to the outside of your opponent’s right leg,
    • Deliver a left push down block to your opponent’s right arm,
    • Drive your opponent’s right hand into his groin with your right hand.
  • Step 2
    • Shift your left hand around the back of your opponent’s right leg to grab your opponent’s right wrist with your left hand.
    • Slide your right foot toward 10:30 to form a left neutral bow stance facing 4:30.
    • Pull your opponent’s right arm upwards with your left hand.
    • Push down on your opponent’s right hip with your right hand.
  • Step 3
    • Deliver a right snapping knife edge kick to the back of your opponent’s left knee.
    • Release your left hand grasp,
    • Maintain the check with your right hand.
  • Step 4
    • Plant your right foot between your opponent’s legs
    • Deliver a left knee strike to your opponent’s tail bone.
  • Step 5
    • With your left foot in the air execute a left front crossover
    • Cover toward 10:30.

Considerations

What if…

  • your opponent’s right leg is forward?
  • your opponent’s left left is forward?
  • your opponent attempts to throw a left punch?
  • your opponent yanks you forward?
  • your opponent attempts a shoulder throw?
  • your opponent grabs with both hands and attempts to crush your fingers?
  • your opponent thrusts a club at you with his right hand?

Notes

  • Practice this technique with multiple attackers who are positioned behind you and your opponent to see how their position alters your choice between Gift of Destruction and Gift in Return.
  • It is important that you remain close enough so that your left leg is hugging your opponent’s right leg and that your right shoulder is hugging your opponent’s right shoulder to help neutralize other attacks.
  • Note the relationship between Gift in Return and Dance of Death.
  • When pulling your opponent’s arm between his lefts, turning his wrist counter clockwise (palm down) will turn his elbow up bracing it against his groin
  • Try to note the reason for kicking your opponent’s left knee instead of his right.
  • Adjust your Angle of Alignment for the knee strike as you plant your foot from the knife edge kick this ensure Angle of Incidence.
  • Depending on circumstance you may need to plant your left foot after the knee strike. In this case just proceed with the left front crossover and cover out.

Additional Information

Name

The term gift in Ed Parker’s American Kenpo is used to represent a handshake. In this technique you will be returning your opponent’s gift (handshake) to him which gives us the name Gift in Return.

Basics & Maneuvers

  • Left Forward Step Through
  • Left Neutral Bow Stance
  • Left Push Down Block
  • Modified Right Push Down Block
  • Right Step Through Knife Edge Kick
  • Left Knee Strike
  • Left Front Crossover
  • Cover out

Targets

  • Right Hand/Wrist
  • Groin/Testicles
  • Back of the Left Knee
  • Tailbone (coccyx)

Concepts & Principles

  • Angle of Alignment
  • Angle of Cancellation
  • Angle of Departure
  • Angle of Disturbance
  • Counter Manipulation
  • Environmental Weapons
  • Hugging Check
  • Jamming
  • Leveraging
  • Opposing Forces
  • Point of Origin
  • Purposeful Compliance
  • Reverse Marriage of Gravity
  • Stabilizing Your Base
  • Zone of Sanctuary


Related Techniques

Historical Notes

  • In the 1975 Accumulative Journal, Gift In Return was Purple Belt technique #18
  • The 1975 Accumulative Journal indicates sliding your right foot toward 10:00 and that the angle of departure is also 10:00

Historical Versions

1975 Accumulative Journal

GIFT IN RETURN (front hand shake)

  1. With feet together and opponent squeezing your right hand with his right, step forward and to your left (to 11 o’clock) with your left foot (left neutral bow) to outside of opponent’s right leg but hugging and checking opponent’s leg with your left leg. Simultaneously deliver a strike to opponent’s groin with both his and your right hand with your left hand assisting you by thrusting down on opponent’s right forearm.
  2. Shift your left hand around and back of opponent’s right leg and grab opponent’s right wrist as your right foot shifts clockwise to 10 o’clock (into a left neutral bow). Immediately pull up with your left hand and push down against opponent’s right hip with your right hand to put pressure on opponent’s testicles as well as limit opponent’s leverage, thus nullifying his ability to kick.
  3. Immediately deliver a right step through knife-edge kick to the back of your opponent’s left knee while releasing your left hand grasp.
  4. Without any hesitation plant your right kicking foot along side of your left foot and deliver a left knee kick to opponent’s tail bone.
  5. With your left foot in the air (or after it plants forward, depending on circumstance), left front crossover and cover out to 10 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.