Fallen Cross (Blue #13)

KenpoTech on January 23, 2011

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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.

Entangled Wing (Blue #6)

KenpoTech on December 3, 2010

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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.

Flight To Freedom (Purple #24)

KenpoTech on September 7, 2010

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Flight To Freedom is the 24th and final technique required to obtain your purple belt in Ed Parker’s American Kenpo. Flight to Freedom is a defense against a right arm hammerlock, 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 family groups Grappling division.

The main theme of this technique is simply that your opponent can block your counters. This is a very valuable concept and it is vital that you be aware that your opponent may very well be aware of your potential counter moves and may block any of them.  Specifically for this technique, Flight to Freedom serves as a backup technique to Locked Wing. As you attempt the initial strike of Locked Wing, the elbow strike, your opponent blocks this strike.  You then make use of counter manipulation as you take “flight” from your opponent. It is this flight that disturbs your opponent’s balance and allows you to rebound into action.

The Technique

Attack

In the ideal phase your opponent is directly behind you (6:00).  He is applying a hammerlock to your right arm with his right hand (palm up).  It is assumed that your opponent anticipates your elbow strike and is either checking your left shoulder or intercepts your elbow strike.

Defense

Flight to Freedom – defense for a right hammer lock.

  • Step 1
    • Step back with your left foot toward 5:00 into a transitional right neutral bow stance.
    • Counter grab your opponent’s hand with your right hand,
  • Step 2
    • Pivot counter clockwise into a left neutral bow stance facing 6:00
    • Attempt to deliver a left outward horizontal elbow strike to your opponent’s face.
  • Step 3
    • Turn clockwise and step toward 1:30 into a right reverse cat stance
    • Pull your opponent’s right arm forward and downward with your right hand.
  • Step 4
    • Deliver a right thrusting back heel kick to your opponent’s right ribcage.
  • Step 5
    • Plant your right foot toward 7:30
    • Pivot clockwise into a right neutral bow stance.
    • Twist your opponent’s right arm clockwise in a tight circle,
    • Left hand covers.
  • Step 6
    • Deliver a left front thrusting ball kick to your opponent’s left inner knee.
  • Step 7
    • Plant your left foot toward 10:30 in front of your right foot forming a right rear twist stance facing 4:30,
    • Deliver a left hammering heel palm strike to your opponent’s right elbow.
  • Step 8
    • Complete your left front crossover and cover out toward 10:30.

Considerations

  • What if…
    • your opponent’s right hand is palm down?
    • your opponent applies the hammerlock with his left hand?
    • your opponent’s right leg is forward?
    • your opponent’s left leg is forward?
    • your opponent’s left leg steps forward with yours?
    • your opponent’s left hand is grabbing your hair?
    • you are unable to step forward?

Notes

  • As you twist your opponent’s right arm, be sure that you do so using small circles.  Remember “the bigger the circle the bigger the mistake”.
  • When practicing, students often use big circles because they feel jammed.  Be sure to use your back kick to move your partner back in order to unjam yourself.
  • When practicing, develop spontaneity by having your partner attack and then responding with either Locked Wing or Flight to Freedom depending on whether or not your partner blocks your elbow.
  • While practicing, once you have your partner’s arm turned over investigate the possibilities of other joint locks. A perfect example is to flow into the lock applied in Spiraling Twig.
  • As mentioned above, being the last technique in Purple Belt, Flight to Freedom teaches a valuable lesson; your opponent may be aware of your moves and may block them.  This is the perfect time to review all techniques with a partner and experiment with blocking all of  the initial counters in the techniques to practice “Formulating”.  Your ability to formulate may be the determining factor in a street situation.

Additional Information

Name

In this technique after delivering a rear elbow strike technique you attempt to flee or take flight. This deception of flight is what leads you to freedom, thus the name Flight to Freedom.

Basics & Maneuvers

  • Left Reverse Step Through
  • Transitional Right Neutral Bow Stance
  • Left Neutral Bow Stance
  • Left Outward Horizontal Elbow Strike
  • Left Forward Step Through
  • Right Reverse Cat Stance
  • Right Thrusting Back Kick
  • Right Neutral Bow Stance
  • Left Front Thrusting Ball Kick
  • Right Rear Twist Stance
  • Left Hammering Heel Palm Strike
  • Left Front Crossover
  • Cover Out

Targets

  • Face (missed)
  • Right Wrist
  • Right Ribcage
  • Left Inner Knee
  • Right Elbow

Concepts & Principles

  • Anchor
  • Angle of Alignment
  • Angle of Cancellation
  • Angle of Disturbance
  • Angle of Execution
  • Angle of No Return
  • Borrowed Force
  • Catapulting
  • Complimentary Angle
  • Continuity of Motion
  • Controlling Checks
  • Counter Manipulation
  • Leveraging
  • Marriage of Gravity
  • Momentum
  • Opposing Forces
  • Positional Checks
  • Pivoting
  • Torque
  • With
  • Zones of Protection


Related Techniques

  • Locked Wing (O-17)
  • Cross of Destruction (P-23)
  • Crossed Twigs (B-15)
  • Gripping Talon (B-20)
  • Encounter With Danger (G-2)
  • Thrust Into Darkness (3Br-2)
  • Intellectual Departure

Historical Notes

  • The 1975 Accumulative Journal indicated…
    • stepping back into a modified right neutral bow stance (because you are on the ball of your left foot).
    • having your left foot step through to 2:00.
    • planting your right foot back into a right reverse cat stance after your rear kick.
    • planting your left foot toward 11:00 after the front snapping ball kick.
    • the angle of departure as 11:00.

Historical Versions

1975 Accumulative Journal

FLIGHT TO FREEDOM (hammer lock)

  1. With feet together and opponent locking your right arm,  step back and to your right to 5 o’clock with your left foot (on the ball of your left foot) into a modified right neutral bow as your right hand counter grabs your opponent’s right wrist using this stance as a transition only.
  2. Without any hesitation pivot your entire body counter clockwise into a left neutral bow (or horse stance depending on circumstance) as you attempt to deliver a left outward elbow strike to opponent’s face which is blocked.
  3. Immediately have your left foot step through to 2 o’clock (into a right reverse cat stance) as your right arm straightens and continues to grab opponent’s right wrist; pulling in so that the principle of opposing forces is employed.
  4. From your right reverse cat, deliver a right thrusting back heel kick, using mainly the bottom portion of the heel to opponents, right ribcage and plant your right foot more to the left   again into a right reverse cat stance. Immediately pivot your entire body clockwise (facing 7 o’clock) as you twist your opponent’s right arm clockwise with the assistance of your right hand.
  5. Follow-up with a left snapping ball kick to opponent’s left inner knee.
  6. Without planting your left foot, have it cross in front of your right foot (into a left front twist stance) to 11 o’clock while using your left heel of palm strike to break back of opponents right elbow, and cover out to 11 o’clock.

Cross of Destruction (Purple #23)

KenpoTech on September 6, 2010

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Cross of Destruction is the 23rd required technique to obtain your purple belt in Ed Parker’s American Kenpo. Cross of Destruction is a defense against two hand choke from behind, placing it in the Locks and Chokes category of the Web of Knowledge as well as the Chokes Family Group in the Chokes and Locks category of the family groups Grappling division.

Cross of Destruction takes advantage of the fact that your opponent’s thumbs are unable to resist the weight of your body twisting against them when a proper fulcrum (your shoulders) is applied. In the first part of the technique your hands and neck/shoulders to twist and lock your opponent’s thumbs where in the latter part of the technique you will use your opponent’s arms to twist, lock and break his elbow joint. Through the course of the technique will will disturb balance, create temporary pain and inflict lasting damage.

The Technique

Attack

In the ideal phase your opponent is directly behind you (6:00). He applies a two hand choke with his arms fully extended.

With your attacker’s arms fully extended you are unable to properly perform Circling Wing. This technique serves to fill that gap, providing you with with an alternative option.

Defense

Cross of Destruction –  defense for a rear two-hand choke.

  • Step 1
    • Tuck your chin into your chest,
    • Grab your opponent’s wrists with both of your hands,
    • Step toward 9:00 with your left foot to form a horse stance.
  • Step 2
    • Slide your right foot back toward 7:30 into a left neutral bow stance facing 1:30.
    • Cross your opponent’s left arm over your head, crossing his left arm over his right.
    • Pull your right arm toward your right hip
  • Step 3
    • Deliver a right front thrusting ball kick to the inside of your opponent’s right knee cap.
  • Step 4
    • Plant your right foot forward toward 1:30 to form a right neutral bow stance.
    • Pull with your left arm and push with your right arm to twist the opponent’s arms breaking or dislocating his elbow(s).
  • Step 5
    • Right front crossover and cover toward 10:30.

Considerations

  • What if…
    • your opponent’s arms are bent?
    • your opponent’s elbows are anchored against your shoulders?
    • your opponent’s right leg is forward?
    • your opponent’s left leg is forward?
    • your opponent pulls his arms as you attempt to cross them?
    • you are unable to step to the left?
    • you have something in your hands?

Notes

  • Dropping into your horse stance just before grabbing your opponent’s wrists will allow more reach to grab them.
  • Anchoring your elbows after the grab will help break the thumb.
  • When practicing this technique have your partner alter his attack then act accordingly with either Twirling Wings, Circling Wing or Cross of Destruction.
  • Note the possibility of flipping your opponent at the end of the technique. USE EXTREME CAUTION WHEN PRACTICING THIS WITH A PARTNER.

Variations

Additional Information

Name

In Ed Parker’s American Kenpo the term ‘destruction‘ has something to do with the left side.  The term ‘cross‘, in this instance, indicates the position your opponent’s arms will be put in. In this technique you will cross your opponent’s arms and use this crossed position to dislocate or break your opponent’s left elbow, thus the name Cross of Destruction.

Basics & Maneuvers

  • Left Side Step Through
  • Horse Stance
  • Right Reverse Step Through
  • Left Neutral Bow Stance
  • Right Front Snapping Ball Kick
  • Right Neutral Bow Stance
  • Right Front Crossover
  • Cover out

Targets

  • Wrists
  • Thumbs
  • Right Knee (inside)
  • Elbows

Concepts & Principles

  • Anchoring
  • Angle of Cancellation
  • Angle of Deviation
  • Angle of Disturbance
  • Angle of Incidence
  • Body Momentum
  • Buckle
  • Contouring
  • Counter Manipulation
  • Fulcrum
  • Gravitational Check
  • Marriage of Gravity
  • Opposing Forces
  • Pinning Check
  • Solidify Your Base


Related Techniques

  • Thrusting Salute (O-4)
  • Twirling Wings (P-1)
  • Flight to Freedom (P-24)
  • Fallen Cross (B-13)
  • Twist of Fate (B-16)
  • Gripping Talon (B-20)
  • Escape from Death (G-6)
  • Twirling Sacrifice (G-17)

Historical Notes

  • In the 1975 Accumulative Journal, Cross of Destruction was Purple Belt technique #19.
  • The 1975 Accumulative Journal indicates;
    • moving your right foot back towards 8:0o.
    • a crossover and cover out toward 10:00.

Historical Versions

CROSS OF DESTRUCTION (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 stance as you grab both of opponent’s wrists with both of your hands.
  2. Move your right foot back to 8 o’clock (into a left neutral bow) as your left hand crosses your opponent’s left arm over his own right arm. At this point, your left arm pushes forward as your right pulls in and toward you.
  3. Deliver a right front slap ball kick to the inside of opponent’s right knee cap.
  4. As you plant your right foot forward, after the kick, toward 2 o’clock, pull in with your left arm as you push out with your right arm to cause opponent to break his left elbow with his own right arm. (Make sure that in the process your right hand executes the above mentioned action similar to a right vertical back knuckle thrust.
  5. Right front crossover and cover out to 10 o’clock.

Bow of Compulsion (Purple #18)

KenpoTech on September 3, 2010

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Bow of Compulsion is the 18th required technique to obtain your purple belt in Ed Parker’s American Kenpo. Bow of Compulsion is a defense against a front wrist lock against the chest, 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 family groups Grappling division.

In Bow of Compulsion you learn the value of reverse motion. Reversing moves already learned for one situation provides a defense for another. Throughout this technique you will couple reverse motion with other principles in order to defend yourself.

The Technique

Attack

In the ideal phase your opponent is directly in front of you (12:00), you attempt to push your opponent away with your right hand and he grabs your right hand with both hands and pins it to his chest and proceeds to apply a front wrist lock in order to force you to your knees.

In this situation your palm is against your opponent’s chest and your fingers are pointing upwards. As your opponent bends forward your fingers are bent backwards inflicting pain in your right fingers, wrist and forearm. This forces your body to begin bending forward and drop to your knees rendering you incapable of defending yourself.

Defense

Bow of Compulsion – defense for a front wrist lock pin.

  • Step 1
    • Pin the opponent’s hands with your left hand checking diagonally across them,
    • Step toward 12:00 with your right foot to form a right neutral bow stance,
    • Deliver a right vertical thrusting elbow strike to your opponent’s groin or solar plexus.
  • Step 2
    • Maintain your left hand guarding diagonally,
    • Drop into a right wide kneel stance with your back straight,
    • Rake your opponent’s testicles with a right downward vertical heel palm claw.
  • Step 3
    • Deliver a right underhand reverse handsword strike to your opponent’s groin.
  • Step 4
    • Deliver a right outward downward diagonal back knuckle strike to the inside of your opponent’s left knee.
  • Step 5
    • Pivot counter clockwise into a right reverse close kneel stance,
    • Deliver a right inward downward diagonal hooking punch to the inside of your opponent’s right knee.
  • Step 6
    • Right front crossover and cover out toward 7:30.

Considerations

  • What if…
    • your opponent forces you to your knees?
    • your opponent grabs your wrist with one hand?
    • your opponent attempts to kick you with his right leg while pinning your hand?
    • your opponent attempts to kick you with his left leg while pinning your hand?
    • you have something in your left hand/arm?
    • you are unable to free your right hand?

Notes

  • Make sure that you pin your opponent’s hands with your left in order to prevent action taken against you.
  • Note that you are relieving the pressure of the lock while you simultaneously counter your opponent’s aggression.
  • Ensure that your claw goes as low as your opponent’s knees in order to set up your reverse handsword strike.
  • Steps four and five should be one continuous motion in a figure eight pattern.

Variations

  • Some schools modify the first step by pinning and executing the elbow strike as they step forward and drop into a close kneel stance as the elbow strikes its target.
  • Some schools have chosen to end the technique with the upward handsword strike; note that the base technique does not end here.

Additional Information

Name

The manner in which the wrist lock is applied to your wrist is quite aggressive and compels you to bow forward in compliance. This gives us the name Bow of Compulsion.

Basics & Maneuvers

  • Right Front Step Through
  • Right Neutral Bow Stance
  • Right Downward Vertical Thrusting Elbow Strike
  • Right Wide Kneel Stance
  • Right Downward Vertical Heel Palm Claw
  • Right Reverse Handsword Strike
  • Right Outward Downward Back Knuckle
  • Right Reverse Close Kneel Stance
  • Right Inward Downward Hooking Punch
  • Right Front Crossover
  • Cover out

Targets

  • Solar Plexus
  • Groin
  • Left Inner Knee
  • Right Inner Knee

Concepts & Principles

  • Angle of Contact
  • Angle of Disturbance
  • Backup Mass
  • Bracing Angle
  • Collapsing Strike
  • Continuity of Motion
  • Contouring
  • Depth Penetration
  • Figure Eight Pattern
  • Fitting
  • Marriage of Gravity
  • Nip the Tip
  • Obscure Zones
  • Open Ended Triangle
  • Pinning Check
  • Pressing Check
  • Reverse Motion


Related Techniques

Historical Notes

  • In the 1975 Accumulative Journal, Bow of Compulsion was Purple Belt Technique #13.
  • The 1975 Accumulative Journal lists the angle of departure as 7:00.

Historical Versions

1975 Accumulative Journal

BOW OF COMPULSION (front wrist lock – against chest)

  1. With opponent pinning your right hand against his chest and with your feet parallel to each other, step forward (to 12 o’clock) with your right foot (right neutral bow) and use a right vertical elbow strike down to opponent’s solar plexus or groin, depending on the height of the opponent, as your left hand checks diagonally across opponent’s hands.
  2. With your left hand still guarding diagonally, drop down into a right wide kneel (keeping your back erect) as you drop your right hand down, raking opponent’s testicles with a right heel palm claw and immediately following up with a right underhand reverse handsword to opponent’s groin
  3. Immediately deliver a right hanging back fist to opponent’s left inner knee followed with a right inner hooking knuckle punch to opponent’s right inner knee.
  4. Cross your right foot in front of your left leg while you’re still kneeling and get up as you cover out to 7 o’clock..