Shielding Hammer (EPAK Orange #15)

KenpoTech on July 3, 2010

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Shielding Hammer is the 15th technique required to obtain your Orange Belt in Ed Parker’s American Kenpo. Shielding Hammer is for a defense against a  left roundhouse punch from the front placing it in the Punches category in the Web of Knowledge as well as the Punches family group in the family groups striking division.

Shielding Hammer teaches you how to defend, reverse your motion to counter and finish all with the same arm in one continuous motion. You learn how to strike on a circular path while using that path to build power and momentum that will be delivered in a straight line as well.

Defense

Shielding Hammer – defense for a left hook punch.

  • Step1
    • Step back toward 6:00 with your left foot to form a right neutral bow stance facing 12:00,
    • Deliver a right extended outward block to the inside of your opponent’s left forearm,
    • Left hand covers low.
  • Step 2
    • Deliver a right inward downward raking back knuckle strike across the bridge of your opponent’s nose,
    • Continue the motion until your fist is at your left shoulder,
    • Left hand cover moves from low to high.
  • Step 3
    • Shuffle forward (step-drag),
    • Deliver a right outward thrusting elbow strike to your opponent’s solar plexus.
    • Left hand covers high.
  • Step 4
    • Right front crossover and cover out toward 7:30.

Additional Information

Name

The term shield in American Kenpo refers to an extended outward block, in this technique the extended outward block is delivered in a outward hammering fashion. Now imagine holding a hammer in your hand and shielding yourself with it by performing an outward block with it, there you have Shielding Hammer.

Attack

The ideal phase for Shielding Hammer placed your opponent directly in front of you at 12:00. Your opponent then steps forward with his left foot while delivering a left roundhouse punch (hook punch) toward your face.  Hook punches while usually telegraphed deliver a lot of power behind them. A properly placed hook punch can render you unconscious and with serious injury.  Most times a hook punch will be followed by another punch so maintain guard at all times, even when you believe that you have neutralized the danger from the hook.

Basics & Maneuvers

  • Left Reverse Step Through
  • Right Neutral Bow Stance
  • Right Extended Outward Block
  • Right Inward Downward Diagonal Raking Back Knuckle Strike
  • Shuffle (Step-Drag)
  • Right Horizontal Outward Elbow Strike
  • Right Front Crossover
  • Cover Out

Targets

  • Inside of the left forearm
  • Left eye socket/bridge of the nose
  • solar plexus/diaphragm

Concepts & Principles

  • Angle of Cancellation
  • Angle of Deflection
  • Backup Mass
  • Body Momentum
  • Contact Penetration
  • Continuous Flow of Action
  • Contouring
  • Fitting
  • Point of Origin
  • Positional Block
  • Positional Check
  • Solidify Your Base


Considerations

  • What if …
    • your opponent delivers a straight punch?
    • your opponent throws a left hook followed by a right uppercut?
    • your opponent throws a left hook followed by a right hook?
    • your opponent throws a left kick followed by a left hook?
    • your opponent throws a right punch followed by a left hook?

Related Techniques

Historical Notes

  • In the 1975 Accumulative Journal, Shielding Hammer was the 12th Orange Belt Technique.

Historical Versions

1975 Accumulative Journal

SHIELDING HAMMER   (front hooking left punch)

  1. Standing naturally with feet together, step back with your left foot to 6 o’clock into a right neutral bow as you deliver a right extended outward block to the inside of opponent’s left hooking punch at his forearm as your left hand guards your right ribcage.
  2. Immediately deliver a right inward raking back knuckle strike to opponent’s bridge of nose.
  3. Shuffle forward while continuing the counter clockwise motion of your right hand and follow-up with a right horizontal dipping outward elbow strike to opponent’s solar plexus as your left hand checks high for a possible heel palm and claw to opponent’s face.

Unfinished Orange Belt Manual by Ed Parker

SHIELDING HAMMER (Front step through hooking left punch)

  1. Standing naturally, step back with your left foot toward 6 o’clock into a right neutral bow (facing 12 o’clock) as you deliver a right extended outward block to the inside of your opponent’s left forearm. Your left hand should be in a POSITIONAL CHECK off near your right ribcage.
  2. Immediately deliver a right inward raking back knuckle strike diagonally in and down across the bridge of your opponent’s nose (striking toward 10:30 to insure depth of penetration). (This action should turn your opponent’s head clockwise to his right.)
  3. Shuffle forward while continuing the counterclockwise motion with your right hand and follow-up with a right horizontal dipping outward elbow strike to your opponent’s solar plexus. Your left hand should be checking high. (This should cause your opponent to lose his wind and bend forward at the waist.)
  4. Execute a right front crossover, and cover out toward 7:30.

Notes

Variations

Repeating Mace (EPAK Orange #14)

KenpoTech on July 3, 2010

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Repeating Mace is the 14th technique required to obtain your Orange Belt in Ed Parker’s American Kenpo. It is part of the Pushes category in the Web of Knowledge as well as the Pushes family group in the striking division of Family Groups.

Repeating Mace emphasizes moving up the circle against an advancing opponent enabling you to get out of the Line of Attack without the need of a solid block. You will also gain a clear use of reverse motion and maximizing the effect of your strike with complementary angles.

Defense

Repeating Mace – defense for a left hand step through push.

  • Step 1
    • Step toward 4:30 with your left foot to form a right neutral bow stance,
    • Deliver a left outward hooking parry (palm up) to your opponent’s left elbow,
    • Execute a right inward horizontal hammerfist strike to your opponent’s left kidney.
  • Step 2
    • Deliver a right outward back knuckle strike to your opponent’s left rib cage.
  • Step 3
    • Deliver a right inward downward diagonal roundhouse kick to the back of your opponent’s left knee.
  • Step 4
    • Right front crossover and cover out toward 4:30.

Additional Information

Name

With the term mace representing the fist, the name Repeating Mace comes from your repeating the attack with your right fist (mace) immediately after the first.

Attack

The ideal phase puts your attacker directly in front of you (12:00). Your attacker then steps forward with his left foot as he attempts to push you with his left hand towards the center of your chest.

Basics & Maneuvers Used

  • Left Reverse Step Through
  • Left Outward Hooking Parry
  • Right Inward Horizontal Raking Hammerfist Strike
  • Right Neutral Bow Stance
  • Right Outward Back Knuckle Strike
  • Right Inward Downward Diagonal Roundhouse Kick
  • Right Front Crossover
  • Cover Out

Targets

  • Left Elbow
  • Left Kidney
  • Left Rib Cage
  • Back of the Left Knee

Concepts & Principles Taught

  • Angle of Cancellation
  • Angle of Deflection
  • Angle of Deviation
  • Angle of Execution
  • Complementary Angle
  • Detaining Check
  • Pivot
  • Rebounding Strike
  • Reverse Motion
  • Torque
  • Upside of the Circle
  • Upside of Movement


Considerations

  • What if …
    • your opponent delivers a right hand step through push instead?
    • your opponent pushes with two hands?
    • your opponent does not step through?
    • your opponent throws a left punch instead of a left push?

Related Techniques

Historical Notes

  • In the 1975 Accumulative Journal, Repeating Mace was Orange Belt technique #22
  • The 1975 Accumulative Journal has you step toward 5:00 on the initial move.
  • The 1975 Accumulative Journal indicates a 4:00 Angle of Departure

Historical Versions

1975 Accumulative Journal

REPEATING MACE (front left hand push)

  1. Standing naturally with feet together, have your left foot slide back to 5 o’clock into a right neutral bow. Simultaneously have your left hand hook (left palm is up) outside of opponent’s left wrist as you deliver a right inward raking hammerfist to opponent’s left kidney and a right back knuckle to opponent’s left ribcage as you settle.
  2. Immediately shift your weight on to your left leg and deliver a right looping downward roundhouse kick (utilizing the right instep) to compliment the angle of the thigh and strike the top of opponent’s left calf in back of the knee.
  3. Right front crossover and cover out to 4 o’clock.

Unfinished Orange Belt Manual by Ed Parker

REPEATING MACE (Front step through lunging left hand push)

  1. Standing naturally, Simultaneously have (1) your left foot slide back toward 4:30 into a right neutral bow (facing 12:00), (2) your left hand hook (left palm is up like a waiter carrying a tray) on top and to the outside of your opponent’s left elbow, and (3) deliver a right inward raking hammerfist to your opponent’s left kidney.
  2. Without stopping the flow of your action loop a right outward back knuckle strike to your opponent’s left ribcage (as you settle into your right neutral bow stance). (The effect of these two strikes is to first have your opponent’s midsection move forward and turn clockwise to his right. The second strike should turn him counterclockwise and force him to bend over at the waist.)
  3. Immediately shift your weight onto your left leg and deliver a right downward looping roundhouse kick (utilizing your right instep) to complement the angle of your opponent’s left thigh and strike the top of his left calf from the back of his knee. (This action should buckle his left knee, and force him on his knees.)
  4. From the Point of Contact of your right kick, execute a right front crossover, covering out toward 4:30.

Notes

Variations

Crossing Talon (EPAK Orange #13)

KenpoTech on June 28, 2010

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Crossing Talon is the 13th technique required to obtain your Orange Belt in Ed Parker’s American Kenpo. Crossing Talon is the defense for a right cross wrist grab placing it in the Grabs & Tackles category of the Web of Knowledge and the Wrist Grabs family group in the Grabs category of the Grappling division.

Crossing the Talon is defense against a right hand cross wrist grab (to your right wrist).  This technique uses a wide variety of checks most of which are parts of an offensive move. For example the action of placing your opponent in the arb bar serves as a cross check, pulling check, pushing check and detaining check all at once.  In Crossing Talon you will use use the force of your entire body when striking and you will learn  how to use a series of checks or strikes in one continuous flow

Defense

Crossing Talon – defense for a right hand cross grab.

  • Step 1
    • Raising your forearm as if you were doing a right vertical outward block, counter grab your opponent’s right wrist in a clockwise direction with your right hand,
    • Step toward 1:30 with your left foot to form a left neutral bow stance in front of your opponent’s right leg,
    • Deliver a left thrusting forearm strike behind your opponent’s right elbow.
  • Step 2
    • Settle deeper into your left neutral bow stance
    • Pull your opponent’s right wrist across your body, in toward and past your right hip,
    • Keeping your left elbow anchored push forward and down against your opponent’s right elbow with your left forearm
  • Step 3
    • Align your left elbow by bringing your left hand toward your chest and sliding your forearm on top of your opponents right elbow,
    • Deliver a left outward elbow strike to your opponent’s right temple or jaw.
  • Step 4
    • Continue your outward motion
    • Deliver a left heel palm strike to your opponent’s face,
    • Execute a five-finger rip to your opponent’s face.
  • Step 5
    • Deliver a left inward overhead downward elbow strike to your opponent’s spine.
    • Drop your weight into a left wide kneel stance.
  • Step 6
    • Execute left downward heel palm strike to the base of your opponent’s skull.
    • Deliver a right upward knee kick to your opponent’s face, planting back toward 4:30
  • Step 7
    • Left front crossover and cover out toward 6:00.

Additional Information

Name

In American Kenpo the term ‘Talon” is synonymous with a wrist grab.  In Crossing Talon, your opponent is crossing his body, to grab your opposite wrist, thus executing a Crossing Wrist Grab.  Hence the name Crossing Talon.

Attack

The ideal phase of attack puts your opponent directly in front of you. He reaches diagonally across his body and grabs the inside portion of your right wrist — his palm against your inner wrist – the backs of both of your hands facing outward.

As with any other type of grab the most common uses are to intimidate, control, manipulate or set up for a followup attack.  Grabs are often the result of an argument but can and do come as a surprise attack.  Wrist grabs, in particular, are a very common type of grab in that they serve to control one of your natural weapons, often adding a notion of confidence to the aggressor.

Basics & Maneuvers Used

  • Right Counter Grap
  • Left Front Step Through
  • Left Hammering Inward Block
  • Left Neutral Bow Stance
  • Left Outward Horizontal Elbow
  • Left Outward Heel Palm Strike
  • Left Five Finger Claw
  • Left Five Finger Ripping Claw
  • Left Inward Overhead Elbow
  • Left Wide Kneel Stance
  • Left Downward Heel Palm Strike
  • Left One Legged Stance
  • Right Upward Knee Kick
  • Left Front Crossover
  • Cover out

Targets

  • Right Wrist
  • Right Elbow
  • Right Temple
  • Face
  • Spine
  • Right Mastoid Bone

Concepts & Principles Taught

  • Anchoring
  • Angle of Alignment
  • Angle of Disturbance
  • Axis of Rotation
  • Backup Mass
  • Contouring
  • Counter Grabbing
  • Cross Checking
  • Detaining Check
  • Fulcrum
  • Leverage
  • Marriage of Gravity
  • Pin-Point Effect
  • Point of Origin
  • Positional Block
  • Residual Torque
  • Reverse Marriage of Gravity
  • Rounding the Corners
  • Sandwiching
  • Solidify your Base
  • Sliding Check
  • Striking Check
  • Zones of Protection


Considerations

  • What if …
    • Your opponent grabs you from the top (palm down)?
    • Your opponent grabs you from underneath (palm up)?
    • your opponent pulls you forward (or into a punch)?
    • your opponent grabs your wrist with two hands?
    • you do not have the strength to life your right arm in the first move?
    • Your opponent grabs your shirt (or right lapel)?
    • Your opponent grabs your belt (or lower shirt)?

Related Techniques

Historical Notes

  • In the 1975 Accumulative Journal, Crossing Talon was Orange Belt Technique Requirement #11
  • The 1975 Accumulative Journal has you step toward 1:00 on the initial step.
  • The 1987 Studio Manuals indicate 4:30 as the Angle of Departure

Historical Versions

1975 Accumulative Journal

CROSSING TALON (front right cross wrist grab)

  1. With opponent’s right hand grabbing your right wrist, counter grab his wrist as your left foot steps forward and to your right to 1 o’clock) into a left neutral bow simultaneously striking opponent’s right elbow with your left forearm in a forward thrusting motion while your right hand pulls in toward and past your right hip.
  2. Continue to push and pull opponent’s arm to your right forcing opponent’s head down with the possibility of your opponent’s head striking your left knee.
  3. Immediately deliver a left side elbow strike (palm up or down depending on circumstance) to opponents right jaw hinge followed by a left heel palm strike and five-finger rip to opponents face.
  4. Circle your left arm clockwise and strike down with your left elbow striking to upper spine of opponent.
  5. Follow-up with a left downward heel palm strike to back of opponent’s left mastoid. As your left hand continues to push down simultaneously deliver a right knee kick to opponent’s face, causing a sandwiching effect.
  6. Replant your right foot to original position.

Unfinished Orange Belt Manual by Ed Parker

CROSSING TALON (Front right cross wrist grab)

  1. With your opponent’s right hand grabbing your right wrist, (1) countergrab his right wrist with your right hand as (2) your left foot steps toward 1:30 (traveling in front of your opponent) into a left neutral bow, as (3) you strike your opponent’s right elbow with a left inward vertical forearm, while (4) your right hand pulls in, toward, and past your right hip. (The effect of this action is to sprain or break your opponent’s right elbow, and force him to bend over, which automatically checks his Height Zones.)
  2. Continue to pull your opponent’s arm to your right while using your left forearm to force your opponent’s head down and possibly striking your left knee.
  3. Immediately deliver a left outward elbow strike (palm up or down depending on circumstance) to your opponent’s right jaw hinge or temple. (This action may cause your opponent to pass out and drop toward the ground.)
  4. Immediately follow-up with a left heel palm strike and five-finger rip to your opponent’s face while using your opponent’s shoulder and back as a fulcrum to leverage, contour, check, and enhance your action. Continue your left arm clockwise circle and execute a left inward overhead downward elbow strike to your opponent’s upper spine. (This action should cause your opponent’s body to bow toward the ground.)
  5. Follow up with a left downward heel palm strike to the back of your opponent’s left mastoid. As your left hand continues to push your opponent’s head down, simultaneously deliver a right knee strike to your opponent’s face, thus causing a sandwiching effect. (Your opponent should fall to the ground.)
  6. Replant your right foot to its POINT OF ORIGIN. Left front crossover, covering out toward 4:30.

Notes

Variations

There are several variations to this technique in the Tracy Kenpo Systems, under the same name

Kicking Set #1

KenpoTech on June 26, 2010

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Kicking Set 1 is the required set for orange belt in Ed Parker’s American Kenpo.  In our Yellow Belt Set & Form we learned how to defend and how to defend while retreating.  In Orange Belt our form reinforced what we learned in Yellow Belt by having us perform Short Form 1 on both sides.  Here in Kicking Set 1 we break, for a bit, from the retreat and block mentality to instead move forward and strike.  This entire set is advancing forward with kicks delivered in a variety of ways.   Kicking Set 1 will help develop balance and coordination as you learn to deploy 4 kicks 13 different ways.

Contains

  • Stances
    • Horse Stance
    • Left Neutral Bow Stance
    • Right Neutral Bow
    • Left Front Twist Stance (Transitional)
    • 45° Cat Stance (Transitional)
  • Foot Maneuvers
    • Step Through
    • Front Crossover
    • Shuffle (Drag Step)
  • Kicks
    • Right Step Through Ball Kick (Front Snap Kick)
    • Right Knife Edge Kick (Side Kick)
    • Right Front Roundhouse Kick (Wheel Kick)
    • Left Spinning Rear Kick
    • Right Step Through Knife Edge Kick (Side Kick)
    • Right Snapping Ball Kick
    • Right Rear Kick
    • Left Front Roundhouse Kick (Wheel Kick)
    • Left Step Through Ball Kick (Front Snap Kick)
    • Left Knife Edge Kick (Side Kick)
    • Left Step Through Roundhouse Kick
    • Right Spinning Rear Kick
    • Left Step Through Knife Edge Kick

Teaches

  • To advance with kicks.
  • To maintain a constant guard while moving and kicking.
  • To use a cat stance to change directions.
  • To use different methods of executing the same kicks.
  • Four basic kicks, with 13 different methods of execution
    • Ball Kick (3 methods)
      • Right Step Through Ball Kick (2x)
      • Shuffle, Right Ball Kick
      • Shuffle, Left Ball Kick
    • Knife Edge Kick (4 methods)
      • Left Crossover, Right Knife Edge Kick
      • Right Step Through Knife Edge Kick
      • Shuffle, Left Knife Edge Kick
      • Left Step Through Knife Edge Kick
    • Roundhouse Kick (3 methods)
      • Shuffle, Right Front Roundhouse Kick (2x)
      • Shuffle, Left Front Roundhouse Kick
      • Left Step Through Roundhouse Kick
    • Rear Kick (3 methods)
      • Left Spinning Rear Kick (2x)
      • Shuffle, Right Rear Kick
      • Right Spinning Rear Kick


Kicking Set 1 - Ed Parker's American Kenpo, Orange Belt Set

Ed Parker's American Kenpo Orange Belt Set, Kicking Set 1, Diagram

Step by Step

  • Opening
    • Begin in a meditative horse stance.
  • Section 1 – moves done facing 12:00
    • Slide your right foot back toward 6:00 to form a left neutral bow stance facing 12:00
    • Execute a right step through ball kick toward 12:00, planting your right foot forward into a right neutral bow facing 12:00.
    • Execute a left front crossover and a right knife edge kick toward 12:00, planting your right foot forward into a right neutral bow facing 12:00.
    • Shuffle forward with a right front roundhouse kick toward 12:00, planting your right foot forward into a right neutral bow facing 12:00.
    • Execute a left spinning rear kick toward 12:00, planting your left foot forward into a left neutral bow stance facing 12:00
  • Section 2 – moves done facing 3:00
    • Slide your right foot back toward 9:00 to form a left neutral bow stance facing 3:00.
    • Deliver a right step-through knife edge kick toward 3:00, planting your right foot forward into a right neutral bow stance facing 3:00.
    • Shuffle forward with a right snapping ball kick toward 3:00, planting your right foot forward into a right neutral bow stance facing 3:00.
    • Shuffle forward with a right front roundhouse kick toward 3:00, planting your right foot forward into a right neutral bow stance facing 3:00.
    • Shuffle forward with a right rear kick toward 3:00, planting your right foot toward into a right neutral bow stance facing 3:00.
  • Section 3 – moves done facing 6:00
    • Step toward 12:00 with your left foot and pivot clockwise to form a right neutral bow stance facing 6:00.
    • Execute a left spinning rear kick toward 6:00, planting your left foot forward into a left neutral bow stance facing 6:00.
    • Shuffle forward with a left front roundhouse kick toward 6:00, planting your left foot forward into a left neutral bow stance facing 6:00.
    • Shuffle forward with a left front snapping ball kick toward 6:00, planting your left foot forward into a left neutral bow stance facing 6:00.
    • Shuffle forward with a  left knife edge kick toward 6:00, planting your left foot forward into a left neutral bow stance facing 6:00.
  • Section 4 – moves done facing 9:00
    • Slide your right foot toward 3:00 to form a left neutral bow stance facing 9:00
    • Execute a right step through ball kick toward 9:00, planting your right foot forward into a right neutral bow stance facing 9:00.
    • Execute a left step through roundhouse kick toward 9:00, planting your left foot forward into a left neutral bow stance facing 9:00.
    • Execute a right spinning rear kick, planting your right foot forward into a right neutral bow stance facing 9:00.
    • Execute a left snapping knife edge kick planting your left foot forward into a left neutral bow stance facing 9:00.
  • Closing
    • Pivot clockwise to face 12:00 in a horse stance.
    • Cover your right clenched fist with your left open hand.
    • Close your meditative horse stance.

Grip of Death (EPAK Orange #12)

KenpoTech on June 26, 2010

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Grip of Death is the 12th technique required to obtain your Orange Belt in Ed Parker’s American Kenpo. Grip of Death is the defense for a right arm headlock from the left side placing it in the Chokes & Locks category of the Web of Knowledge as well as the Locks family group in the Family Groups Grappling Division.

Grip of Death varies from The Grasp of Death in that we now  use several concepts learned after The Grasp of Death in an explosive yet simultaneous manner to defend against the headlock while learning to use contouring and tracking to find targets that you cannot see otherwise.

Defense

Grip of Death – defense for a left flank head lock.

  • Step 1
    • Grip your attacker’s arm with both hands and pull downward as you turn your head toward 9:00 (away from your opponent’s elbow) and your chin into your chest
  • Step 2
    • Step toward 10:30 with your right foot to form a right close kneel stance so that your left knee buckles your opponent’s right knee,
    • Deliver a right inward hammerfist strike to your opponent’s groin
    • Deliver a left inward hammerfist strike to your opponent’s left kidney.
  • Step 2
    • Grab the opponent’s hair or nerve point with your left hand and pull the opponent’s head back and down.
  • Step 3
    • Pivot into a left forward bow stance toward 6:00.
    • Deliver a right thrusting heel palm strike to your opponent’s chin.
    • Execute a sliding check on your opponent’s right arm
  • Step 4
    • left front crossover & cover out toward 10:30.

Additional Information

Name

Just like Grasp of Death, the name Grip of Death is derived from the severe nature of the attack as the attacker’s grip can cause death if it is properly applied.

Attack

In the ideal phase your opponent is to your left side (9:00) facing the 12:00 position.  He wraps his right arm around the back of the neck pulling you down into a side headlock.

As previously discussed a headlock is a type of attack used by someone who is typically confident that they are stronger than you.  The grasp can break your neck, cut off blood flow to the brain, or close off the throat keeping you from breathing.  This type of attack can end in unconsciousness, injury, brain damage and even death.  This type of hold could simply be so your attacker could punch you in the face or head with their left hand or hold you so that someone else could attack your face or body.

Basics & Maneuvers Used

  • Right Front Step Through
  • Right Close Kneel Stance
  • Right Inward Horizontal Hammerfist Strike
  • Left Inward Horizontal  Hammerfist Strike
  • Left Forward Bow Stance
  • Right Thrusting Heel Palm Strike
  • Left Front Crossover
  • Coverout

Targets

  • Back of the Right Knee
  • Left Kidney
  • Groin
  • Philtrum/Hair/Eye Sockets
  • Underneath the Chin

Concepts & Principles Taught

  • Anchoring
  • Angle of Disturbance
  • Angle of Cancellation
  • Bracing Angle
  • Buckle
  • Contouring
  • Fulcruming
  • Gravitational Check
  • Leverage
  • Opposing Forces
  • Pivoting
  • Rotational Force
  • Sandwiching
  • Sliding Check
  • Torque


Considerations

  • What if …
    • your opponent is moving you around preventing you from stabilizing your base?
    • your opponent forces you to the ground?
    • your hammerfists strikes have no effect?
    • your opponent is running you into another object?

Related Techniques

Historical Notes

  • In the 1975 Accumulative Journal, Grip of Death was Orange Belt Technique #10
  • The 1975 Accumulative Journal indicates stepping toward 10:00 on the initial move.

Historical Versions

1975 Accumulative Journal

GRIP OF DEATH (flank headlock)

  1. With opponent applying lock from your left side, Step forward and to your left (to 10 o’clock) with your right foot into a right close kneel) while turning your head to the left and tucking your chin against your chest. Simultaneously deliver a right hammerfist to Opponent’s groin and a left hammerfist to opponent’s left kidney.
  2. As you pivot into a left forward bow facing 6 o’clock, have the fingers of your left hand press under opponents nose or, depending upon the circumstances have your left hand grab opponents hair to force opponent’s head back.
  3. Immediately follow-up with a right heel palm thrust to opponent’s chin as you pivot into a left forward bow. however, make sure that the head of your opponent in either of the above cases is arched and forced back and down to minimize your opponent’s leverage thus preventing him from execution a right knee kick to your groin area.

Infinite Insights Into Kenpo, Vol 5

GRIP OF DEATH (Left flank right arm headlock)

  1. With your opponent applying a headlock from your left side, step forward and to your left (to 10:00) with your right foot into a right close kneel stance, while turning your head to the left, and tucking your chin against your chest.  Simultaneously deliver a right hammerfist to your opponent’s groin, and a left hammerfist to your opponent’s left kidney.
  2. Circle your left arm over your opponent’s right shoulder, and have the fingers of your left hand press under your opponent’s nose (or depending upon the circumstances, have your left hand grab your opponent’s hair) to fulcrum your opponent’s head back, using his shoulder as a fulcrum point.
  3. Immediately pivot into a left forward bow toward 6:00 to take advantage of rotational force.  In the process, thrust a right heel palm strike to your opponent’s chin.  Simultaneously execute a left sliding check down your opponent’s right arm, ending at the elbow.  (Make sure that the head of the opponent, in either of the above cases, is arched and forced back and down to minimize your opponent’s leverage.)
  4. Pivot back into a left neutral bow and proceed with the routine left front crossover and double cover out between 10:00 and 11:00.

Unfinished Ed Parker Orange Belt Manual

GRIP OF DEATH (Left flank right arm headlock)

  1. With your opponent applying a headlock from your left side, step forward and to your left (toward 10:30) with your right foot into a right close kneel stance, while turning your head to the left, and tucking your chin against your chest. Simultaneously deliver a right hammerfist to your opponent’s groin and a left hammerfist to your opponent’s left kidney. (This action should buckle your opponent.)
  2. Circle your left arm over your opponent’s right shoulder, and have the fingers of your left hand press under your opponent’s nose (or depending upon the circumstances, have your left hand grab your opponent’s hair) FULCRUMING with your forearm and elbow against your opponent’s back and shoulder to increase the LEVERAGE down and back against his head and neck. (This should cause sharp pain to his philtrum, and also cancel his Height Zones.)
  3. Immediately (1) pivot into a left forward bow toward 6 o’clock, and (2) while taking advantage of your ROTATIONAL FORCE deliver a right heel palm strike to your opponent’s chin, as you simultaneously (3) execute a left SLIDING CHECK down your opponent’s right arm, ending at the elbow.  (Make sure that the head of your opponent, in either of the above methods of FULCRUMING, is arched and forced back and down to minimize your opponent’s leverage. The force of your strike should cause your opponent to fall to the ground.)
  4. Pivot back to a left neutral bow. Left front crossover, covering out toward 10:30.

Notes

  • The technique calls for you to deliver a two-finger handsword strike under the attacker’s nose (philtrum) or to grab his hair. As a personal preference, I prefer not to go after the nose despite the amount of pain it can inflict on your opponent, forcing their cooperation because your fingers could accidentally get close enough to his mouth and could be bitten.  The hair is a good substitute for this, if it isn’t too short nor non-existent.   What I prefer to do instead is using a claw hand and reach over their head/face to grab the bone at the top of the eye socket and pull their head down and back via the eye sockets.  If you accidentally poke their eyes in the process, they shouldn’t have put you in a headlock to begin with.
  • Also just to ensure I don’t get accidentally kicked in the groin during the heel palm strike you want to be sure that when you pivot into the left forward bow stance that your right leg (thigh) is checking their right leg leg. You can also toss a right knee strike into their thigh as an extra precaution.

Variations