Buckling Branch (EPAK Orange #10)

KenpoTech on June 24, 2010

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Buckling Branch is the 10th required technique to obtain your Orange Belt in Ed Parker’s American Kenpo.  Buckling Branch is a defense against a left front kick, placing it in the Kicks category of the Web of Knowledge and the Kicks Family Group in the Family Groups Striking Division of attacks.

Buckling Branch is taught as an answer to one of the what ifs in Thrusting Salute.  You will notice that the technique is pretty much identical to Thrusting Salute except you are now blocking outside the left leg instead of inside the right leg.  The major difference is this time when you kick your opponent’s groin, from behind, they will bend forward ‘away’ from you rendering a thrusting heel palm strike ineffective thus forcing you to go for another target.

This is a great introductory technique to the equation formula as here you are essentially taking another technique and (1) deleting the final move and (2) suffixing a new final move that (3) alters both the weapon and target of final move to account for the new circumstance.

Defense

Buckling Branch – defense for a left front kick.

  • Step 1
    • Step back toward 4:30 with your right foot to form a left neutral bow stance facing 10:30,
    • Deliver a left outward downward block to the outside of your opponent’s leg.
  • Step 2
    • Deliver a right front snapping ball kick to your opponent’s groin.
    • Left hand covers high.
  • Step 3
    • Plant your right foot toward 10:30 forming a right front twist stance.
    • Deliver a left snapping knife edge kick to the inside and back of your opponent’s right knee.
  • Step 4
    • Plant  back into a left front crossover, covering out toward 4:30.

Additional Information

Name

In Ed Parker’s American Kenpo the word “Branch” is used to represent the leg.  The name of this technique comes from the buckling of your attacker’s leg (branch) with a kick hence the name Buckling Branch.

Attack

The ideal phase consists of your opponent being directly in front of you with their left leg back and delivering a left thrusting step-through ball kick toward your groin or abdomen.

It is important to keep in mind that due to the aggressive nature of this kick and its follow through that your opponent could take full use of his backup mass, momentum and forth to follow the kick with a solid punch (either side) or even another kick. Keep yourself in as safe a position as possible and be alert of your opponent’s movements.

Basics & Maneuvers Used

  • Right Reverse Step Through
  • Left Neutral Bow Stance
  • Left Outward Downward Block
  • Right Front Snapping Ball Kick
  • Right Front Twist Stance
  • Left Knife-Edge Kick (Side Snap Kick)

Targets

  • Outside of the Left Leg (Peroneal Nerve)
  • Groin
  • Inside/Back of the Right Leg

Concepts & Principles Taught

  • Angle of Alignment
  • Angle of Deflection
  • Angle of Departure
  • Backup Mass
  • Bracing Angle
  • Equation Formula
  • Formulation Phase
  • Marriage of Gravity
  • Open Ended Triangle
  • Positional Check
  • Rebounding Check
  • Torque
  • Tracking
  • Zones of Sanctuary


Considerations

  • What if …
    • your opponent follows his left kick with a left punch?
    • your opponent follows his left kick with a right spinning back knuckle strike?
    • your opponent follows his left kick with a right spinning back kick?
    • your opponent delivers a left step-through knife edge kick instead?
    • your opponent starts with his right leg back and shuffles forward with the left kick?
    • your opponent delivers his left kick toward your knee?
    • your opponent fakes a left kick toward your knee and follows with a high left punch?
    • your opponent fakes a left kick toward your knee and follows with a high right  punch?
    • your opponent does not react to your kick or you miss the kick?

Related Techniques

  • Deflecting Hammer
  • Gift in Return
  • Brushing the Storm
  • Menacing Twirl
  • Circle of Doom
  • Intellectual Departure

Historical Notes

  • In the 1975 Accumulative Journal, Buckling Branch was Orange Belt Technique #18
  • The 1975 Accumulative Journal indicated the initial step should be toward 5:00 and the angle of departure should be 4:00.

Historical Versions

1975 Accumulative Journal

BUCKLING BRANCH (front straight left kick)

  1. While standing naturally with both feet together, step slightly back and to your right with your right foot to 5 o’clock (left neutral bow); simultaneously blocking opponent’s left kick (from the outside) with a left downward block as your right hand cocks to your right hip, clenched and Palm up.
  2. Deliver a right ball kick (as you pivot counter clockwise and in place with your left foot) to opponent’s groin (from the rear) while his back is toward you. Upon doing so have your left hand shift to an extended outward but relaxed handsword to act as a check in covering your head area while your right hand opens (palm up).
  3. Plant your right foot (into a modified right front twist stance for purposes of torque) and deliver a left knife-edge kick to the inside of opponent’s right knee. (Keeping both of your now open hands in a defensive position.)
  4. Left front cross over and cover out to 4 o’clock.

Unfinished Orange Belt Manual by Ed Parker

BUCKLING BRANCH (Front left step through straight kick)

  1. While standing naturally with both feet together, step back with your right foot toward 4:30 into a left neutral bow. Simultaneously block your opponent’s left kick (from the outside) with a left downward block as your right hand (clenched and palm up) cocks to your right hip. Instantly recoil your left hand counterclockwise into a vertical position as a positional check. (Your intent is to generate pain to your opponent’s left leg, as well as to increase the width of your deflection.)
  2. With your opponent’s back turning toward you, deliver a right front snap ball kick to your opponent’s groin (entering from the rear). (This should make your opponent bend over at the waist. Both you and your opponent should be facing 10:30.)
  3. Plant your right foot forward (again toward 10:30) into a right front twist stance (modifying it if necessary), and deliver a left knife-edge kick to the inside and back of your opponent’s right knee (keeping both of your hands open and in a defensive position). (This kick should buckle your opponent to his knees.)
  4. Have your left kick flow into a left front crossover, covering out toward 4:30.)

Notes

Variations

Triggered Salute (EPAK Orange #2)

KenpoTech on June 10, 2010

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Triggered Salute is the second technique required to obtain your orange belt in Ed Parker’s American Kenpo. Triggered Salute is a defense against a right hand push to your left shoulder from the front. This places Triggered Salute into the Pushes category in the Web of Knowledge as well as the Pushes Family group in the Family Groups Striking Division.

Triggered Salute is an interesting technique. Even though you should defend a push prior to it making contact, this technique is just as effective if your opponent does make contact.  Either way you end up using your opponent’s aggressiveness against them. In Triggered Salute you learn how to slip past an aggressive attempt using your opponent’s force to your advantage as well as use his action to trigger your reaction. You will then use checking and anchoring to enhance stability and power in conjunction with a continuous flow of strikes to control your opponent’s height, width and depth zones.

Defense

Triggered Salute – defense for a right hand direct push

  • Step 1
    • Step toward 11:00 with your right foot to form a right neutral bow stance, buckling your opponent’s right knee.
    • Pin your opponent’s right hand to your chest with your left hand (maintain through the entire technique),
    • Deliver a right thrusting heel palm strike to your opponent’s chin.
  • Step 2
    • Form a crane head with your right hand
    • hook behind his right elbow
    • pull the opponent’s right arm down and to your right.
  • Step 3
    • Deliver a right inward horizontal elbow strike to your opponent’s solar plexus or right rib cage being sure to follow through.
  • Step 4
    • Deliver a a right outward horizontal elbow strike to your opponent’s right floating ribs.
  • Step 5
    • Follow through with a right outward horizontal back knuckle strike to your opponent’s right kidney or floating rib.
  • Step 6
    • Finish with a right snapping uppercut punch underneath your opponent’s chin.
  • Step 7
    • Right front crossover and cover out toward 6:00.

Additional Information

Name

The name Triggered Salute stems from the fact that your initial reaction, triggered by your opponent’s attack, is a heel palm strike to the face which resembles an ancient way of rendering a salute used in many ancient cultures.  The term salute in American Kenpo names will always represent a heel palm strike. 

Attack

In the ideal phase of attack has your opponent directly in front of you.  He steps forward with his right foot as he pushes you with his right hand directly to your left shoulder.

A push or shove like this usually is the result of a verbal confrontation and is the first step towards a full blown fight.  A push is usually followed by a punch or a grab, therefore it is important to act at the right moment in order to best defend yourself.  Ideally you would like to prevent a push from ever making contact thus placing pushes in the striking category of  attacks along with punches and kicks .  In some cases, when contact is unavoidable, a push that lands can be used to greatly enhance your defense.

Basics & Maneuvers Used

  • Right Neutral Bow
  • Right Thrusting Heel Palm
  • Right Hooking Cranes Head/Crane’s Beak
  • Right Inward Horizontal Elbow Strike
  • Right Outward Horizontal Elbow Strike
  • Right Outward Horizontal Back Knuckle
  • Right Snapping Uppercut Punch

Vulnerable Targets

  • Chin
  • Solar Plexus/Right Rib Cage
  • Back Right Floating Ribs
  • Right Kidney/Back Right Floating Ribs
  • Chin

Concepts & Principles Taught

  • Anchoring
  • Angle of Deviation
  • Backup Mass
  • Borrowed Force
  • Buckle
  • Complementary Angle
  • Continuity of Motion
  • Contouring
  • Frictional Pull
  • Magnified Damage
  • Marriage of Gravity
  • Opposing Forces
  • Pinning Check
  • Point of Origin
  • Positional Check
  • Purposeful Compliance
  • Reverse Motion
  • Rounding the Corners
  • Torque
  • Wrenching


Considerations

  • What if …
    • your opponent attempts a right lapel grab?
    • your opponent throws a right punch at your face instead?
    • your opponent pushes with his left hand to your left shoulder (cross push)?
    • your opponent punches with his left hand before you execute your heel palm?
    • your opponent bends too far forward after hooking his elbow that you can not reach his rib cage?
    • your opponent is much shorter than you?
    • your opponent is much taller than you?
    • your back is against a wall?

Related Techniques

Historical Versions

1975 Accumulative Journal

TRIGGERED SALUTE (front right hand direct push)

  1. Standing naturally while opponent pushes your left shoulder with his right hand, step forward and to your left with your right foot to 11 o’clock (into right neutral bow) to buckle on the Inside of opponent’s right knee. Simultaneously pin opponent’s right hand with your left (against your left shoulder) and strike opponent’s chin with a right forward heel palm thrust.
  2. Immediately shift your right hand to 11 o’clock forming the shape of the crane (anchor elbow) and hook opponent’s right arm down before cocking your right arm to your right hip and deliver a right Inward horizontal elbow strike to opponent’s solar plexus.
  3. After following through with first elbow shot, deliver a right outward horizontal elbow strike to opponent’s right floating ribs (palm down).
  4. Without hesitation, follow-up with a right horizontal back knuckle strike to opponent’s right floating ribs or kidney and immediately cock your right fist to your right hip.
  5. Without any loss of motion execute a right vertical back knuckle thrust up and under opponent’s chin while your left hand remains pinning your opponents right hand against your left shoulder.

Unfinished Orange Belt Manual by Ed Parker

TRIGGERED SALUTE (Front right hand direct push)

  1. While standing naturally your opponent pushes your left shoulder with his right hand. Immediately and simultaneously (1) turn your left shoulder counterclockwise and ride your opponent’s right push as you (2) step forward with your right foot into a right neutral bow (between ll:00 and 12:00), (3) buckle the inside of your opponent’s right knee with your right knee, (4) thrust a right heel palm strike to your opponent’s chin, as you (5) have your left hand pin and check your opponent’s right hand to your chest. (Your opponent’s head should snap back and away from you.)
  2. Forecasting the response of your opponent’s upper body, (1) frictionally slide your right hand down your opponent’s right arm while forming the shape of a crane (making sure to anchor your elbow), (2) hook your opponent’s right arm down and toward 5:30; (3) ROUND THE CORNER with your right arm as (4) you unhesitatingly deliver a right inward horizontal elbow strike to your opponent’s solar plexus. (The frictional pull will bring your opponent’s upper body forward and diagonally to his right. The force of your elbow strike should make him bend forward at the waist.)
  3. After following through with your right inward elbow strike, deliver a right outward horizontal elbow strike to your opponent’s right floating ribs. (This should cause your opponent to bend even further.)
  4. Using RESIDUAL TORQUE, follow-up with a right outward horizontal back knuckle strike to your opponent’s right floating ribs or kidney, and immediately cock your right fist to your right hip. (Your repeated follow-ups should magnify the damage to his ribs).
  5. Without any loss of motion, thrust a right vertical back knuckle strike (right fist is inverted and horizontal) up and under your opponent’s chin while your left hand continues to pin your opponent’s right hand against your left shoulder. (This Contouring Fit should drive your opponent’s head back.)
  6. Right front crossover, and cover out toward 7:30.

Notes

Variations