Retreating Pendulum (Blue #11)

KenpoTech on January 14, 2011

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Retreating Pendulum is the 11th technique required to obtain your Blue Belt in Ed Parker’s American Kenpo.  Retreating Pendulum is a defense against a right thrusting rear kick from the front, placing it in the Kicks Category of the Web of Knowledge as well as the Kicks Family Group in the Striking division.

In Retreating Pendulum you learn the tactical use of subliminal retreat where your depth of action is not as pronounced as when shuffling.  There is a finer margin for error but you will remain close enough to your opponent to give you greater spring when retaliating where you will employ the concept of bumping your opponent’s leverage points to unbalance him and hinder his ability to continue his attack. Special emphasis is placed upon relayed power through the use of a short circle of the right arm.

The Technique

Attack

In the ideal phase you are in a right neutral bow and your opponent is directly in front of you (12:00).  He proceeds to deliver a right thrusting heel kick toward your body.   It is assumed that your opponent is also in a right neutral bow and delivers the kick with a left rear crossover.

This kick can be delivered one of several ways and come from either a left or right neutral bow stance.   It is therefore vital to learn to identify kicks as they approach you to react accordingly.

Defense

Retreating Pendulum –  defense for a right back kick.

  • Step 1
    • Slide your right foot back toward 6:00, executing a right rear crossover, to form a left front twist stance,
    • Deliver a right downward diagonal block to the outside of your opponent’s right leg,
    • Your left hand checks near your right shoulder.
  • Step 2
    • Deliver a right snapping knife edge kick to your opponent’s left inner knee.
  • Step 3
    • Plant your right foot toward 12:00, forming a right neutral bow stance,
    • Deliver a right inward overheard hammerfist strike to your opponent’s neck,
    • Your left hand should check near your right arm pit.
  • Step 4
    • Pivot into a right reverse bow stance,
    • Deliver a right rear scoop kick to your opponent’s groin.
  • Step 5
    • Plant your right foot back between your opponent’s legs, approximately toward 1:30,
    • Shift into a right reverse bow stance to buckle the inside of your opponent’s right leg.
  • Step 6
    • Execute a right front crossover
    • Cover out twice toward 7:30.

Considerations

  • What if…
    • your opponent  starts in a left neutral bow and steps through executing a right thrusting knife edge kick?
    • your opponent starts in a left neutral bow and executes a right spinning heel kick?
    • your opponent starts in a right neutral bow and shuffles with a right thrusting heel kick?
    • your opponent aims his kick toward your leg?
    • your opponent executes a left spinning rear kick after his right kick
    • your opponent executes a right punch after his right kick?
    • your opponent fakes a rear thrusting heel kick and then executes a right outward hooking heel kick?

Notes

  • In some schools a rear heel kick delivered via a left rear crossover is called a crossing rear kick.
  • Practice differentiating between a rear kicks, back kicks and angled side kicks.
  • Notice how distance is maintained by executing a right rear crossover while your opponent executes a left rear crossover.
  • Your right foot should immediately spring back into the knife edge kick after retreating toward 6:00
  • Be sure to take full advantage of gravitational marriage when delivering the hammerfist strike by timing the delivery with the planting of your right foot.
  • Your hammerfist strike should be the result of one continuous motion from your block, again being sure to emphasis fluidity of motion.
  • When delivering the scoop kick to your opponent’s groin, it is important that you properly gauge distance as you deliver the kick therefore you may have to drag your left foot toward your right foot to ensure proper distance.
  • Examine how this technique as well as its family related techniques, Deflecting Hammer and Hugging Pendulum make use of the Zones of Attack.

Variations

  • This is another one of those techniques where schools vary on the attack itself.  Officially the attack in the ideal phase is a right thrusting heel kick delivered from a left rear crossover in which both you and your opponent begin in a right neutral bow stance.  Some schools will have your opponent in a left neutral bow delivering the kick with a right step through and others outright change the kick to a knife edge kick.  It goes without saying that this technique works great for more than one kick delivered more than one way.  It is vital, however, to learn the technique as it was designed in order to gain the full education experience and understand this technique’s place in the system.
  • A strike may be inserted so that it occurs simultaneously with the buckle at the end.  Two variants that come to mind are a right rear elbow strike to the back of the head/neck and a  right downward rear heel palm strike usually to the spine.

Additional Information

Name

In American Kenpo, the term pendulum is used to refer to a downward block as it describes the manner in which your blocking arm deflects your opponent’s kick.  In this technique your blocking arm swings like a pendulum as your right leg is retreating from your opponent’s attacking leg. Thus we have the name Retreating Pendulum.

Basics & Maneuvers

  • Right Neutral Bow Stance
  • Right Rear Cross Step
  • Left Front Twist Stance
  • Right Downward Diagonal Block
  • Right Snapping Knife Edge Kick
  • Right Inward Overhead Hammerfist Strike
  • Right Reverse Bow Stance
  • Right Back Scoop Kick
  • Right Front Crossover
  • Cover Out

Targets

  • Outside of Right Leg
  • Inside of  The Left Knee
  • The Neck (5th Cervical Vertebrae)
  • Groin

Concepts & Principles

  • Anchoring
  • Angle of Cancellation
  • Angle of Contact
  • Angle of Deflection
  • Angle of Departure
  • Angle of Deviation
  • Angle of Disturbance

Concepts & Principles (Con’t)

  • Angle of Entry
  • Angle of Execution
  • Angle of Incidence
  • Angle of No Return
  • Body Momentum
  • Borrowed Force
  • Buckling
  • Bumping
  • Continuity of Motion
  • Counter Balance
  • Depth of Penetration
  • Detaining Check
  • Directional Harmony
  • Distance Matching
  • Gauging
  • Marriage of Gravity
  • Obscure Zones
  • Orbiting
  • Pendulum
  • Positional Check
  • Relayed Power
  • Shortened Circle of Motion
  • Threading
  • Timing (1/4 Beat)
  • Top of Circle/Bottom of Circle
  • With


Related Techniques

Historical Notes

  • In the 1975 Accumulative Journal, Retreating Pendulum was Blue Belt Technique #20
  • The 1975 Accumulative Journal calls the initial strike a right outside downward block.
  • The 1975 Accumulative Journal indicates an 8:00 angle of departure.

Historical Versions

1975 Accumulative Journal

RETREATING PENDULUM (front right rear kick)

  1. While in a right neutral bow, drop back with your right foot into a left font twist stance. Simultaneously deliver a right outside downward block to opponent’s kicking leg and check with your left hand by your right shoulder.
  2. Immediately deliver a right knife-edge kick to opponent’s left leg, to inner knee.
  3. Plant your right foot forward toward 12 o’clock and have your left hand check high (close to your right armpit).
  4. As your block circles counter clockwise and without losing any motion follow-up with a right overhead downward hammerfist to opponent’s neck as you plant your right foot toward 12 o’clock.
  5. Pivot to your left (into a right reverse bow) and deliver a right rear scoop kick to opponent’s groin (your right leg is between your opponent’s leg at this point).  You may have to drag your left foot toward your right foot to assure proper distance for your rear scoop kick.
  6. After planting your right foot back into a right reverse bow right front crossover and cover out twice toward 8 o’clock. (Use the right reverse bow to buckle your opponent’s left leg if and whenever possible.)

Hugging Pendulum (Blue #4)

KenpoTech on November 27, 2010

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Hugging Pendulum is the 4th required technique to obtain your Blue belt in Ed Parker’s American Kenpo. Hugging Pendulum is a defense against a right Side Kick (Knife-Edge Kick) from the front, placing it in the Kicks category of the Web of Knowledge as well as the Kicks Family Group in the Striking division of Family Groups.

The initial action of Hugging Pendulum technique is identical to that of Deflecting Hammer; you create distance while employing an angle change and redirect your opponent’s kick.  While Deflecting Hammer also stresses the importance of foot maneuvers (shuffle out and then shuffle back in), Hugging Pendulum will expand your knowledge of defensive and offensive positioning as you learn to swiftly make adjustments due to depth factors (shuffle out and crossover back in).  In the final stage of the technique you learn to strike your opponent with the use of upper body rotation without the use of lower body rotation, you learn the benefits of body fusion; and the use of forward and reverse motion. All of which emphasize the need for speed of action.

The Technique

Attack

In the ideal phase your opponent is directly in front of you (12:00). Your opponent is in a left fighting stance (left neutral bow stance). He proceeds with a right step through knife-edge kick (side kick) to your lower torso.

The side kick is a very powerful kick and can cause serious injury. This kick does not always come from the ideal position, it can be delivered from the front leg (with or without a shuffle), from a rear crossover or from a spinning maneuver with each having their own advantages and disadvantages.  The power of the kick is transmitted as the leg extends therefore it is vital to focus on speed and accuracy when practicing this technique in order to avoid being in the range between the attacker’s knee and ankle.

Defense

Hugging Pendulum – defense for a right side kick.

  • Step 1
    • From a right neutral bow stance, shuffle back (push-drag) toward 7:30
    • Deliver a right outward diagonal downward block to the outside of your opponent’s right leg.
    • Your left hand covers high.
  • Step 2
    • Execute a left front crossover,
    • Cross your right hand (palm up) to your left hip,
    • Your left hand positionally checks high as you deliver a right knife-edge kick to the inside of your opponent’s left knee.
  • Step 3
    • Plant your right foot forward into right neutral bow stance.
    • Deliver a right outward horizontal back knuckle strike to your opponent’s right temple or mastoid.
    • Immediately follow with a right inward horizontal hooking heel palm claw to the left side of your opponent’s face.
  • Step 4
    • Execute a right front crossover
    • Cover out toward 7:30.

Considerations

  • What if…
    • your opponent executes a left knife-edge kick instead?
    • your opponent executes a shuffle kick from a right neutral bow?
    • your opponent executes a right spinning back kick from a left neutral bow?
    • your opponent follows his knife-edge kick with a left spinning back kick?
    • your opponent follows his knife-edge kick with a right punch?
    • your opponent thrusts a club towards you?

Notes

  • Study the effects of adjusting your angle of deviation and your angle of deflection on the initial move.
  • Be sure to keep your fist tightly closed when blocking the kick. If your fingers are loose or your hand is open you can break your fingers.
  • At this level your block should not only redirect the path of your opponent’s kick, and slightly turn your opponent but it should also inflict pain.  (“First deflection, then infliction of pain”.)
  • The front crossover allows you to advance toward the opponent without changing the side which faces your opponent, thus protecting your width zones and minimizing exposure.
  • Kicking your opponent’s left knee prevents him from delivering a spinning back kick toward you, using a knife edge kick prevents the need to pivot from your current position.
  • Synchronize the delivery of your outward back knuckle strike with the planting of your right foot to maximize power.
  • Group deflecting hammer and hugging pendulum , have partner attack with varitey of linear kicks, block with initial defense from either and then follow with sequences from either, grafting as needed so they blend with the attack. Pay attention to depth zones.
  • Compare Hugging Pendulum to Leaping Crane and note how they are related
  • Look for the relation that Hugging Pendulum has with Five Swords and Raining Claw.
  • Note the themes of Delayed Sword and Sword of Destruction then determine how that theme continues with Hugging Pendulum.

Variations

  • A common variation is to insert one of the two strikes below into the chambering of your right hand on your left hip depending on the position of your target;
    • a right inward horizontal heel palm claw strike to your opponent’s face.
      • your left hand would check your ribs
    • a right inward horizontal raking middle knuckle strike to your opponent’s lower right rib cage.
      • your left hand would still check high here.

Additional Information

Name

Hugging Pendulum derives its name from the matter in which the blocking arm is used when deflecting your opponent’s kick. Your blocking arm swings like a pendulum as it hugs (contours) your leg for strength and accuracy, thus the name Hugging Pendulum.

A variant on the origin of the name indicates that the swinging of your blocking arm (pendulum) imitates a hugging motion and it swings back up to your left hip.  It should also be noted that Hugging Pendulum uses various methods of applying hugging checks against your opponent’s leverage points.

Basics & Maneuvers

  • Right Neutral Bow Stance
  • Reverse Shuffle (Push-Drag)
  • Right Outward Downward Diagonal Hammering Block
  • Left Front Crossover
  • Right Knife-Edge Kick
  • Right Outward Horizontal Back Knuckle Strike
  • Right Inward Horizontal Hooking Heel Palm Claw
  • Right Front Crossover
  • Cover Out

Targets

  • Outside Right Leg
  • Inside Left Knee (Common Peroneal Nerve)
  • Mastoid or Temple
  • Left Side of the Face

Concepts & Principles

  • Anchoring
  • Angle of Cancellation
  • Angle of Deflection
  • Angle of Deviation
  • Angle of Disturbance
  • Angle of Entry
  • Angle of Execution
  • Angle of Incidence
  • Backup Mass

Concepts & Principles (Cont’d)

  • Body Fusion
  • Body Momentum
  • Borrowed Force
  • Buckle
  • Chamber
  • Complimentary Angle
  • Continuity of Motion
  • Contouring
  • Counter Balance
  • Depth of Penetration
  • Figure-Eight Pattern
  • Fitting
  • Frictional Pull
  • Grafting
  • Guidelining
  • Hugging Check
  • Jamming
  • Matching Counter
  • Marriage of Gravity
  • Minimize your targets
  • Obscure Zones
  • Orbital Switch
  • Positional Check
  • Reverse Motion
  • Rounding the Corners
  • Torque
  • With


Related Techniques

  • Deflecting Hammer (Y-4)
  • Leaping Crane (P-3)
  • Retreating Pendulum (B-11)
  • Gathering Clouds (B-21)
  • Rotating Destruction (3Br-4)
  • Glancing Lance (3Br-14)
  • Unwinding Pendulum (2Br-15)

Historical Notes

  • In the 1975 Accumulative Journal, Hugging Pendulum was Blue Belt Technique #14.
  • The 1975 Accumulative Journal indicated the block should travel from 11:00 to 5:00
  • The 1975 Accumulative Journal indicates a 7:00 angle of departure.

Historical Versions

1975 Accumulative Journal

HUGGING PENDULUM (front right side kick)

  1. While in a fighting stance (right neutral bow), shuffle back slightly as you deliver a right hammering downward diagonal block (hooking your blocking arm so that it travels from 11 o’clock to 5 o’clock) on the outside of opponent’s right kicking leg.
  2. Immediately do a left front crossover as your right hand cocks horizontally across your body (palm in) with your left hand in guarding position and deliver a right knife-edge kick to inside of opponent’s left knee.
  3. Follow-up with a right horizontal back knuckle strike to opponent’s mastoid or temple (as you plant your right foot forward) arching wide to the right and returning with a right inward horizontal hooking heel of palm claw to opponent’s face while maintaining bend in your right elbow.
  4. Right font crossover and cover out to 7 o’clock.

Swinging Pendulum (EPAK Purple #4)

KenpoTech on July 24, 2010

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Swinging Pendulum is the 4th required technique to obtain your purple belt in Ed Parker’s American Kenpo. Swinging Pendulum is a defense against a right roundhouse kick from the front, placing it in the Kicks category of the Web of Knowledge as well as the Kicks Family Group in the family groups striking division.

In Swinging Pendulum you learn how to overcome a powerful kick and its subsequent followups by moving up the circle into a zone of sanctuary with the delivery of a universal block.  Your opponent’s kick reaches it maximum potential at the apex of the circle, your moving up the circle, shortens the circle causing your opponent’s kick to travel past the apex where it now loses momentum as well as puts him past an angle of no return leaving a weakness in his defense. Your knowledge of reverse motion allows you to counter his actions borrow his momentum and nullify any further action.

Defense

Swinging Pendulum – defense for a right roundhouse kick.

  • Step 1
    • Slide your left foot counter clockwise toward 4:30 to form a right neutral bow stance facing 10:30.
    • Deliver a universal block to the inside of your opponent’s right leg (preferably at the knee).
  • Step 2
    • Shuffle (push-drag) forward toward 10:30,
    • Deliver a right outward downward hammerfist strike to your opponent’s groin,
    • Simultaneously deliver a left vertical outward block to check high
  • Step 3
    • Slide your left foot counter clockwise toward 1:30 into a right neutral bow facing 7:30,
    • Deliver a right rear vertical snapping obscure elbow strike (obscure elbow) to your opponent’s chin.
    • Left hand covers the middle area.
  • Step 4
    • Crossover and cover out toward 2:30.

Additional Information

Name

The term ‘pendulum’ is used in American Kenpo to refer to a downward block or hammerfist strike. In this technique your second move resembles the swinging motion of a pendulum on its downward path to your opponent’s groin.

Attack

In the ideal phase, you are already in a right neutral bow and your attacker is directly in front of you (12:00) in a left neutral bow. He then proceeds to deliver a full strength right roundhouse kick toward you.

A roundhouse kick is a versatile kick and if delivered off of the rear leg can be a tremendously powerful kick as it generates a lot of momentum as it travels toward its target.  The kick may be delivered off the front or rear legs, often called a wheel kick when delivered from the front leg.  Targets can vary from your feet to your head and it can be delivered from a stationary position or while in motion.

Basics & Maneuvers

  • Left Sliding
  • Right Neutral Bow Stance
  • Universal Block
  • Forward Shuffle (Push-Drag)
  • Left Vertical Outward Block (Positional)
  • Right Outward Downward Hammerfist Strike
  • Right Snapping Obscure Elbow Strike
  • Crossover
  • Cover Out

Targets

  • Right Leg/Knee
  • Groin
  • Underneath the Chin

Concepts & Principles

  • Angle of Deviation
  • Angle of Deflection
  • Apex
  • Body Alignment
  • Borrowed Force
  • Changing of the Guard
  • Contouring
  • Double Factor
  • Drawing
  • Obscure Zones
  • Orbital Change
  • Path of Action
  • Reverse Motion
  • Shortening the Circle
  • Upside of the Circle
  • Zones of Sanctuary


Considerations

  • What if …
    • your opponent kicks high?
    • your opponent kicks low?
    • your opponent fakes a low kick then delivers a high kick?
    • your opponent fakes a roundhouse kick and throws a hook kick?
    • your opponent throws a right front roundhouse kick?
    • your opponent plants his foot back instead of going full force?
    • your opponent plants forward and follows with a left hook punch?
    • your opponent plants forward and follows with a right punch?

Related Techniques

Historical Notes

  • In the 1975 Accumulative Journal this was purple belt technique #17.
  • The 1975 Accumulative Journal has you
    • slide your left foot toward 4:00 during the initial move
    • Shuffle forward toward 11:00 during the second move
    • Slide your left foot toward 2:00 during the third move
    • depart towards 2:00

Historical Versions

1975 Accumulative Journal

SWINGING PENDULUM (front roundhouse right kick)

  1. Standing in a right neutral bow (fighting stance), slide your left foot counter clockwise to 4 o’clock and strike with a right inward block simultaneously with a left downward block (universal block) against opponent’s kicking right leg preferably at the knee.
  2. Shuffle (push drag) toward 11 o’clock as you deliver a right downward hammerfist to opponent’s groin. (You’re still in a right neutral bow with your left hand checking high.)
  3. Again shift your left foot counter clockwise to 2 o’clock as you deliver a right upward vertical elbow strike to opponent’s jaw.
  4. Right front crossover and cover out to 2 o’clock.

Notes

Variations

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

Thrusting Salute (EPAK Orange #4)

KenpoTech on June 16, 2010

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Thrusting Salute is the 4th technique required to obtain your orange belt in Ed Parker’s American Kenpo.  Thrusting Salute is a defense for a right front kick placing it in the Kicks category in the Web of Knowledge and the Kicks Family of the Family Groups Striking Division.

In Thrusting Salute we are introduced to the zones of sanctuary as we create a notable angle of deflection with a well placed downward block.  It also stresses the importance of anticipating a follow up strike from your opponent.

Defense

  • Step 1
    • Step toward 4:30 with your right foot forming a left neutral bow stance,
    • Deliver a left outward downward block to the inside of your opponent’s right leg.
  • Step 2
    • Execute a right front snapping ball kick to your opponent’s groin.
    • Left hand covers high.
  • Step 3
    • Plant your right foot toward 10:30 buckling your opponent’s right knee as you form a right neutral bow stance.
    • Deliver a right thrusting heel palm strike to your opponent’s jaw
  • Step 4
    • Cover toward 4:30

Additional Information

Name

The name Thrusting Salute is derived from the manner, thrusting, in which you deliver the heel palm strike (salute) to your opponent.

Attack

The ideal phase consists of your opponent being directly in front of you with their right leg back and delivering a right thrusting ball kick to your body.

A thrusting ball kick can be used in an assortment of ways both offensively and defensively.  The fact that this is an aggressive thrusting ball kick implies a follow through or step-through as your opponent’s weight and momentum, coupled with your deflection, would put him beyond a point of no return thus forcing a commitment to the kick.

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 marriage of gravity to follow the kick with a solid punch that would have a lot of force behind it.  Always keep yourself in as safe a position as possible and be alert of your opponent’s movements.

Basics & Maneuvers Used

  • Right Rear Step Through
  • Left Neutral Bow
  • Left Outward Downward Block
  • Right Front Snapping Ball Kick
  • Right Neutral Bow
  • Right Thrusting Heel Palm Strike

Targets

  • Inside the right lower leg (Saphenous Nerve)
  • Groin
  • Inside the right knee
  • Jaw

Concepts & Principles Taught

  • Angle of Alignment
  • Angle of Cancellation
  • Angle of Deflection
  • Angle of Disturbance
  • Angle of Deviation
  • Backup Mass
  • Body Momentum
  • Borrowed Force
  • Borrowed Reach
  • Marriage of Gravity
  • Rebounding Check
  • Torque
  • Zones of Sanctuary


Considerations

  • What if …
    • your opponent snaps his kick back instead of stepping through?
    • your opponent kicks with a right roundhouse kick instead?
    • your opponent kicks with his left foot instead of his right?
    • your opponent attempts a left kick when planting down?
    • your opponent attempts a left punch when planting down?
    • your opponent attempts a right punch when planting down?

Related Techniques

  • Obscure Sword
  • Twin Kimono
  • Cross of Destruction
  • Begging Hands
  • Defying the Storm
  • Fallen Cross
  • Falling Falcon
  • Menacing Twirl
  • Leap of Death

Historical Notes

  • In the 1975 Accumulative Journal this was technique #13
  • The 1975 Accumulative Journal has you step back toward 6:00 prior to the downward block and plant your right foot toward 11:00 after the kick.

Historical Variations

1975 Accumulative Journal

THRUSTING SALUTE (front straight right kick)

  1. While standing naturally with feet together, step back with your right foot (to 6 o’clock) into a left neutral bow as you deliver a downward block to the inside of opponent’s right kicking leg.
  2. Have your left foot pivot counter clockwise, in place, as you kick forward with the ball of your right foot to opponent’s groin. Simultaneously have your left hand check high (left extended outward but relaxed handsword) for possible head shots.
  3. As you plant your right foot forward toward 11 o’clock (between opponent’s legs and into a right neutral bow), deliver a right torquing heel of palm thrust to opponent’s jaw while your left hand checks near your right ribcage

Unfinished Orange Belt Manual by Ed Parker

THRUSTING SALUTE (Front right step through kick)

  1. Standing naturally, step back with your right foot to 4:30 (to get you out of the Line of Attack) into a left neutral bow, as you deliver a left downward block to the inside of your opponent’s right kicking leg. Instantly recoil your left hand counterclockwise into a vertical position, to act as a positional check (hand open). (Your downward block should deflect your opponent’s right kicking leg out and away from you.) During this action, your right hand cocks near your right hip (palm up and fist clenched).
  2. Immediately execute a right front snap ball kick to your opponent’s groin. (Do not be surprised you if your opponent violently bends forward at the waist.)
  3. Plant your right foot forward, toward 10:30, and into a right neutral bow (inside of your opponent’s right knee so that your right knee can check or buckle his right knee). Simultaneous with the plant (while capitalizing on your forward momentum and gravitational marriage), execute a right torquing heel palm strike to your opponent’s jaw, as your left positional check relocates near your right ribcage. (This action should cause your opponent’s head to snap back, and possibly cause his entire body to move away from you.)
  4. Right front crossover, and cover out toward 4:30.

Notes

Variations