Leaping Crane (Purple #3)

KenpoTech on July 23, 2010

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Leaping Crane is the 3rd required technique to obtain your purple belt in Ed Parker’s American Kenpo. Leaping Crane is a defense against a right step through punch from the front, placing it in the Punches category of the Web of Knowledge as well as the Punches Family Group in the family groups striking division.

Leaping Crane introduces you to two new basics, a leap as a raking middle knuckle strike. In the first move you will couple a foot maneuver (leap) with a cross check (inward parry) to evade the attack. With the nature of the leap, it is vital to properly gauge your distance if you wish to properly control your opponent.  It also shows you how to maneuver directly into a transitional stance that properly lines up your next move by putting your right foot at the proper angle of delivery.  From that point onward it s a matter of controlling your opponent with each strike to set him up for the next.

Defense

LEAPING CRANE – defense for a right straight punch.

  • Step 1
    • Leap to to your left toward 9:00-10:00 forming a left one-leg stance,
    • Deliver a left inward parry to the outside of your opponent’s right arm, above the elbow.
    • Deliver a right inward horizontal raking middle knuckle fist strike to your opponent’s right lower ribs.
  • Step 2
    • Maintain a positional check on your opponent’s right arm with your left hand,
    • Maintain a positional cock with the right hand,
    • Deliver a right snapping knife edge kick to the outside of your opponent’s right knee.
  • Step 3
    • Plant your right foot toward 1:30, inside your opponent’s right leg, to form a right neutral bow stance,
    • Deliver a right outward downward diagonal back knuckle strike to your opponent’s left kidney.
  • Step 4
    • Deliver a right inward horizontal elbow strike to the right side of your opponent’s head (mastoid, face or jaw).
    • Simultaneously, deliver a left inward hooking heel palm strike to the left side of your opponent’s head (mastoid, face or jaw).
  • Step 5
    • Right front crossover and cover out toward 7:30.

Additional Information

Name

The initial defensive move of this technique has you leap away from the attack. Upon landing you land on one foot only into a one-legged stance which in many systems is called a crane stance as it resembles a very common pose of the crane. Therefore, the leaping action into the crane stance is what gives us the name Leaping Crane.

Attack

In the ideal phase your attacker is directly in front of you (12:00). Your opponent steps forward with his right foot as he delivers a right straight punch to your head or body.

A step through punch provides your opponent with more power behind their punch due to body momentum and backup mass from the actual forward motion.  While this can be advantageous it can also be detrimental.  If enough force is thrown into the strike while moving forward, there is a point of no return that once reached commits the attacker to the strike.  If you are no longer in the Line of Attack, your opponent can be easily controlled, redirected or taken off balance.

Basics & Maneuvers

  • Right Leap
  • Left One Leg Stance
  • Left Inward Parry
  • Right Inward Horizontal Raking Middle Knuckle Strike
  • Right Snapping Knife Edge Kick
  • Right Neutral Bow Stance
  • Right Outward Back Knuckle Strike
  • Right Inward Horizontal Elbow Strike
  • Left Inward Horizontal Heel Palm Strike

Targets

  • Outside the right arm
  • Right lower ribs
  • Outside of the right knee
  • Left Kidney
  • Right side of the head (mastoid, face or jaw)
  • Left side of the head (mastoid, face or jaw)

Concepts & Principles

  • Aiming
  • Angle of Deflection
  • Angle of Deviation
  • Angle of Disturbance
  • Angle of Incidence
  • Back up Mass
  • Body Momentum
  • Borrowed Force
  • Contouring
  • Gauging
  • Marriage of Gravity
  • Minor-Major Concept
  • Opposing Forces
  • Positional Check
  • Reverse Motion
  • Sandwiching
  • Solidify Your Base
  • With


Considerations

  • What if …
    • your opponent does not step through with the punch?
    • your opponent steps with the left leg instead?
    • your opponent throws a right kick before the punch?
    • your opponent throws a left jab before the punch?
    • you are unable to move to your left?

Related Techniques

  • Gift of Destruction
  • Hugging Pendulum
  • Shield and Mace
  • Gathering Clouds
  • Circling the Horizon
  • Destructive Fans
  • Prance of the Tiger

Historical Notes

  • In the 1975 Accumulative Journal this was purple belt technique #5
  • The 1975 Accumulative Journal has you hop toward 9:00 incorrectly “into a right one leg (crane) stance with your right foot cocked…”. It should be a left one-leg stance as the stance is determined by the supporting leg.
  • The 1975 Accumulative Journal has you plant forward toward 1:00

Historical Versions

1975 Accumulative Journal

LEAPING CRANE (front step through right punch)

  1. With feet together, hop to your left (to 9 o’clock) into a right one leg (crane) stance with your right foot cocked to the inside portion of your left knee as your left hand parries inward and your right middle knuckle fist rakes horizontally (toward yourself) , striking your opponent’s right ribs in the process, if possible. End the move of your right hand by having it cock horizontally across your waist with your right fist clenched, palm up, and to the side of your left hip.
  2. Deliver a right snapping knife-edge kick to outside of opponent’s right knee to buckle him (in and toward himself).
  3. As you plant your right foot (toward 1 o’clock) between opponent’s legs, deliver a right back knuckle to opponent’s left kidney, utilizing marriage of gravity.
  4. Immediately deliver a right inward elbow strike to opponent’s head as your left heel of palm strikes to opposite side of opponent’s head thus causing a sandwiching effect.

Notes

  • Although the kick is a right snapping knife edge kick, you do not want to snap the kick back as you are planting forward and you want to make sure you buckle your opponent’s knee which would technically make the kick a right thrusting knife edge kick.

Variations

  • This technique is often taught with an additional step after the sandwiching heel palm and elbow strikes which is as follows:
    • Grab your opponent’s head, hair, shirt, collar or shoulder,
    • Deliver a right inward downward diagonal handsword strike to your opponent’s throat or the right side of your opponent’s neck.

Raining Claw (EPAK Orange #23)

KenpoTech on July 11, 2010

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Raining Claw is the 23rd technique required to obtain your Orange Belt in Ed Parker’s American Kenpo. It is a defense against a right uppercut punch placing Raining Claw in the Punches category in the Web of Knowledge as well as the Punches family group in the Striking Division of Family Groups.

In Raining Claw you start with a right smother block to your opponent’s attack as your left arm circles around into a downward claw to your opponent’s face followed by a continuation of your right arms circle into a vertical back knuckle strike.  This shows you the various blocking and striking positions of the circle as well as using one circular strike to conceal another by making use of the tracking and threading concepts.

Defense

Raining Claw – defense for a right uppercut punch.

  • Step 1
    • Step back toward 6:00 with your left foot to form a right neutral bow stance facing 12:00,
    • Deliver a right downward inward block (smother block) to your opponent’s right forearm.
    • Left hand guards high.
  • Step 2
    • Deliver a left overhead claw to your opponent’s face.
  • Step 3
    • Shuffle forward (push-drag),
    • Deliver a right vertical back knuckle thrust to your opponent’s face.
    • Left hand guards low.
  • Step 4
    • Right front crossover
    • Cover out toward 7:30.

Additional Information

Name

The name Raining Claw is based of the type of one of your counter strikes and the direction it comes from. You deliver an overhead claw strike, thus the claw is coming from above as rain would.

Attack

The ideal phase places your opponent directly in front of you (12:00). Your opponent delivers a right uppercut punch (front inverted horizontal roundhouse punch) to your abdomen or face.

An uppercut punch as with other attacks coming from this direction are more difficult to defend against and because if this an uppercut punch is usually used by someone with some fighting experience.

Basics & Maneuvers

  • Left Reverse Step Through
  • Right Neutral Bow Stance
  • Right Downward Inward Block
  • Left Inward Overhead Heel Palm Claw
  • Forward Push-Drag Shuffle
  • Right Vertical Thrusting Back Knuckle
  • Right Front Crossover
  • Cover Out

Targets

  • Right Forearm
  • Face

Concepts & Principles

  • Angle of Incidence
  • Body Momentum
  • Detaining Check
  • Orbit
  • Sliding Check
  • Smothering
  • Threading
  • Tracking


Considerations

  • What if …
    • your opponent throws a left jab before the right uppercut?
    • your opponent fakes the uppercut and throws a left punch?
    • your opponent throws a left uppercut?
    • your opponent throws a left kick followed by a right uppercut?
    • your opponent grabs your right arm and pulls you into a right uppercut?
    • you are unable to step back?

Related Techniques

Historical Notes

  • The 1975 Accumulative Journal does not indicate an angle of departure

Historical Versions

1975 Accumulative Journal

RAINING CLAW (front uppercut right punch)

  1. Standing naturally with feet together, step back to 6 o’clock with your left foot (into a right neutral bow) and deliver a right downward inward block to right forearm of opponent’s uppercut. Your left hand is guarding high to protect your head area.
  2. Immediately shoot a left overhead claw to opponent’s face while your right elbow stays close to your body.
  3. Have your right fist circle clockwise and execute a right vertical back knuckle thrust to opponent’s face while shuffling forward with your left hand checking low.

Notes

  • The description of the initial block varies. Some say inward downward block, others will say downward inward block. In a nutshell it is a smothering block with your forearm ending in a horizontal position in front of your body. Both are technically correct and it is a matter of how you interpret it. I choose the second interpretation.
    • Inward (block traveling in a) Downward (direction) Block
    • Downward (traveling) Inward Block

Variations

Reversing Mace (EPAK Orange #19)

KenpoTech on July 6, 2010

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Reversing Mace is the 19th technique required to obtain your Orange Belt in Ed Parker’s American Kenpo. It is a defense against left step through punch from the front thus part of the Punches category in the Web of Knowledge and the Punches Family Group in the Family Groups Striking Division

In Reversing Mace you will move up the circle and employ the double factor principle in order to move out of your opponent’s line of attack as well as negate his ability to follow up with another strike. In your counter attack you will reverse the motion of your right arm’s defense turning it into an offensive maneuver and finally you will redistribute your weight as you pivot away from your attacker to provide ample support, range and power for your kick.

Defense

Reversing Mace – defense for a left straight punch.

  • Step 1
    • Slide your left foot toward 4:30 to form a right neutral bow stance facing 10:30,
    • Deliver a right inward parry to the back of your opponent’s left elbow,
    • Deliver a left vertical outward parry to the back of your opponent’s left elbow,
    • Execute a right outward back knuckle strike as you settle into your stance.
  • Step 2
    • Deliver a right inward downward looping roundhouse kick to the back of your opponent’s left knee.
  • Step 3
    • Without planting your foot, execute a right front crossover and cover out toward 4:30.

Additional Information

Name

With the Kenpo term ‘mace‘ used to represent the closed fist in conjunction with the use of reverse motion, by reversing your mace that you blocked with to deliver a counterstrike, you get the name Reversing Mace.

Attack

In the ideal phase your opponent is directly in front of you (12:00). Your opponent proceeds to step forward with his left foot as he delivers a left punch toward your face.

This attack does not necessarily have to be an active step through punch. Your opponent may be in a left neutral bow stance and throwing a left hand punch from this position.  With a left punch being most commonly used to set up another, more powerful, strike your it is important to negate your attacker’s ability to follow up.

Basics & Maneuvers

  • Left Reverse Step Through
  • Right Neutral Bow Stance
  • Right Inward Parry
  • Left Vertical Outward Parry
  • Right Outward Horizontal Back Knuckle Strike
  • Right Inward Downward Looping Roundhouse Kick
  • Right Fright Crossover
  • Cover Out

Targets

  • Back of the Left Elbow
  • Left Floating Ribs
  • Back of the Left Knee (Peroneal Nerve)

Concepts & Principles

  • Anchoring
  • Angle of Deflection
  • Angle of Deviation
  • Complementary Angle
  • Continuity
  • Double Factor
  • Opposite Motion
  • Pivoting
  • Positional Check
  • Reverse Motion
  • Upside of the Circle
  • Weight Distribution


Considerations

  • What if …
    • your opponent does not step through?
    • your opponent throws a roundhouse punch instead (hook punch)?
    • your opponent throws a right punch instead?
    • your opponent fakes with his left and follows with a right punch?
    • your opponent throws a left kick before his left punch?
    • your opponent follows his punch with a right outward spinning back knuckle strike?

Related Techniques

Historical Notes

  • In the 1975 Accumulative Journal, Reversing Mace was the 17th required technique for orange belt.
  • Prior to the 1975 Accumulative Journal a right snapping knife edge kick (side kick) was used to buckle the attacker’s left knee.
  • In the 1975 Accumulative Journal, instructs you to move your left foot toward 5:00 instead of 4:30
  • The 1975 Accumulative Journal has you defend with blocks
  • The 1975 Accumulative Journal indicates the Angle of Departure as 5:00
  • The 1987 IKKA Studio Manuals have you defend with parries

Historical Versions

1975 Accumulative Journal

REVERSING MACE (front straight left punch)

  1. From a right neutral bow, slide your left foot counter clockwise to 5 o’clock; simultaneously use a right inward and left vertical outward block outside of opponent’s left punch. Without any loss of motion, the right inward block continues and becomes a right horizontal outward back knuckle as it strikes to opponent’s left ribcage.
  2. Immediately shift your weight on to your left leg and delver a right looping downward roundhouse kick to back of opponent’s left knee complimenting the angle of your opponent’s thigh. (As this kick is executed, kick with the instep of your right foot and make sure that your right ankle is locked straight out.)
  3. Right front crossover and cover out to 4 o’clock.

Notes

Variations

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

Five Swords (EPAK Orange #9)

KenpoTech on June 22, 2010

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Five Swords is the 9th technique required to obtain your orange belt in Ed Parker’s American Kenpo.  Five Swords is a defense against a right hook punch (roundhouse punch) and is part of the Punches category in the Web of Knowledge as well as the Punches family group in the Family Groups Striking Division.

Five Swords instructs you how to deal with a right roundhouse punch from which you have no option of retreating from nor moving to the side to avoid. Instead you learn to get inside your opponent’s reach and jam him while employing a variety of handsword strikes.

Defense

Five Swords – defense for a right roundhouse punch.

  • Step 1
    • Step forward with your right foot into a right neutral bow stance facing 12:00 as you buckle the inside of your opponent’s right knee,
    • Deliver a right thrusting inward block to the your opponent’s right biceps,
    • Left hand checks high with a left extended outward block to your opponent’s right wrist.
  • Step 2
    • Deliver a right outward handsword strike to the right side of your opponent’s neck,
    • Left continues checking at your opponent’s wrist.
  • Step 3
    • Pivot clockwise into a right forward bow stance,
    • Deliver a left five-finger thrust to your opponent’s eyes,
    • Right hand cocks to your right hip.
  • Step 4
    • Pivot counterclockwise into a right neutral bow stance,
    • Deliver a right snapping uppercut punch to your opponent’s solar plexus,
    • Left hand covers diagonally above your right arm.
  • Step 5
    • Slide your left leg toward 4:30 to form a right forward bow stance facing 10:30,
    • Deliver a left outward downward diagonal handsword strike to the left side of your opponent’s neck,
    • Bend your wrist outward (pointing fingers downward) to hook the back of your opponent’s neck.
  • Step 6
    • Pivot counterclockwise into a right neutral bow stance facing 10:30,
    • Deliver a right inward downward overhead handsword strike to the back of your opponent’s neck.
    • Left hand covers low.
  • Step 7
    • Right front crossover and cover out toward 4:30

Additional Information

Name

The name Five Swords actually comes from the original version of this technique, where all five strikes after the block were done with handswords.  Due to practitioners not conditioning their hands for fingertip strikes some of the strikes were changed but the name remained the same.

Attack

In the ideal phase of attack, your opponent is directly in front of you. He steps forward with his right foot and throws a right roundhouse punch toward your face.

Basics & Maneuvers Used

  • Right Front Step Through
  • Right Neutral Bow Stance
  • Right Inward Block
  • Right Outward Horizontal Handsword Strike
  • Right Forward Bow Stance
  • Left Five Finger Thrust (spearhand)
  • Right Inverted Horizontal Snapping Punch (uppercut)
  • Left Outward Downward Diagonal Handsword Strike
  • Right Inward Overhead Handsword Strike

Targets

  • Right Inner Knee
  • Right Wrist (Radial Nerve)
  • Right Biceps
  • Right Side of the Neck (Brachial Plexus/Mandibular Angle)
  • Eyes
  • Solar Plexus, Lower Ribs, Stomach
  • Left Side of the Neck (Brachial Plexus/Mandibular Angle)
  • Back of the Neck (1st-5th Cervical Vertebrae)

Concepts & Principles Taught

  • Angle of Cancellation
  • Angle of Deflection
  • Angle of Disturbance
  • Angle of Entry
  • Angle of Execution
  • Angle of Incidence
  • Back Up Mass
  • Body Fusion
  • Borrowed Force
  • Buckle
  • Contouring
  • Detaining Check
  • Elongated Circle
  • Grafting
  • Hooking
  • Marriage of Gravity
  • Opposing Forces
  • Pivoting
  • Positional Check
  • Sliding Check
  • Stabilize Your Base
  • Torquing
  • Upside of the Circle


Considerations

  • What if …
    • your opponent throws a right straight punch?
    • your opponent throws a right uppercut punch?
    • your opponent pushes with his right hand?
    • your opponent pushes you with his left prior to punching with is right
    • your opponent throws a left punch after you block his right punch?
    • your opponent throws a left punch after your five finger thrust?
    • your opponent throws a left uppercut after your five finger thrust?
    • your opponent throws a right punch after your uppercut?
    • your opponent kicks with his right foot prior to delivering a punch?
    • your opponent grabs your right arm or lapel and tries to pull you into the roundhouse punch?
    • your opponent attempts a right roundhouse club attack instead of a right roundhouse punch?

Related Techniques

  • Delayed Sword
  • Raining Claw
  • Charging Ram
  • Obscure Claws
  • Detour from Doom
  • Twirling Hammers
  • Dance of Darkness
  • The Ram and The Eagle
  • Bowing to Buddha

Historical Notes

  • In the 1975 Accumulative Journal, Five Swords was Orange Belt Technique #8
  • The 1975 Accumulative Journal indicates moving toward 11:00 on the initial move, sliding the left foot toward 4:00 during the outward downward handsword strike,  delivering a left heel palm strike to the jaw instead of the handsword strike to the left side of the neck
  • The 1975 Accumulative Journal does not indicate an angle of departure.

Historical Versions

1975 Accumulative Journal

FIVE SWORDS (front roundhouse right punch)

  1. While standing naturally with feet together, step forward and slightly to your left (to 11 o’clock with your right foot (still in a neutral bow) and deliver a right Inward strike to Inside of opponent’s right punch using your left hand to check.
  2. Immediately strike to opponent’s right neck with your right outward chop.
  3. Left finger thrust (palm down) to opponent’s eyes as your right hand cocks to your right hip. This is done while you pivot into a right forward bow.
  4. With left hand now guarding horizontally and open (palm down), deliver a right uppercut to opponent’s solar plexus as you pivot to a right neutral bow.
  5. Immediately have your left foot slide counter clockwise (to 4 o’clock) into a right forward bow as your left heel of palm strikes to left jaw of opponent (striking in an outwardly fashion). Without hesitation and while shifting into a right neutral bow have your left hand hook and pull opponent’s head down as you deliver a right overload downward handsword to back of opponent’s neck.

Infinite Insights Into Kenpo, Vol 5

FIVE SWORDS (Front right step through roundhouse punch)

  1. While standing naturally, have your right foot step forward into a right neutral bow (facing 12:00), checking the inside of your opponent’s right knee with your right knee.  In the process, execute a right inward block to the inside of your opponent’s right wrist, while using your left hand to check high.
  2. Immediately strike to the right side of your opponent’s nect with a right outward handsword.
  3. Pivot into a right forward bow (facing 12:00) as you execute a left horizontal finger thrust (palm down) to your opponent’s eyes while your right hand cocks to your right hip (fist clenched and palm up).
  4. Having caused your opponent’s head to move away from you, pivot into a right neutral bow as you strike with a right uppercut punch to the stomach.  In the process your left hand becomes a cocking check (it is guarding horizontally, palm down near your right bicep).
  5. With your opponent now bent over, immediately have your left foot slide counter clockwise (to 4:00) into a right forward bow as your left outward handsword strikes to the left side of your opponent’s neck.  Your right hand acts as a check for potential danger from your opponent’s left arm during your circular wind-up for your next move.
  6. Without hesitation, and while pivoting into a right neutral bow, have your left hand hook around the left side of your opponent’s neck, pulling his head down, followed by a right inward handsword to the back of your opponent’s neck.
  7. Right front crossover, covering out between 4:00 and 5:00.

Unfinished Orange Belt Manual by Ed Parker

FIVE SWORDS (Front right step through roundhouse punch)

  1. While standing naturally, step forward with your right foot into a right neutral bow (facing 12 o’clock), and check the inside of your opponent’s right knee with your right knee. Simultaneously with your right neutral bow, execute a right inward block to the inside of your opponent’s right forearm, while your left hand checks high at your opponent’s wrist. (The effect of both actions is to expose the width of his body.)
  2. Immediately strike to the right side of your opponent’s neck with a right outward handsword. (This action should help to nullify the Height, Width, and Depth Zones of your opponent.)
  3. Pivot into a right forward bow (facing 12:00), as you execute  a left five-finger thrust (palm down) to your opponent’s eyes, and your right hand cocks at your right hip (fist clenched and palm up). (The effect of this poke should snap your opponent’s head back and away from you.)
  4. Having your opponent’s head to move away from you, and his midsection to jut forward, take advantage of this anticipated response by (1) pivoting into a right neutral bow, (2) executing a right uppercut punch to your opponent’s stomach, as (3) your left hand becomes a COCKING CHECK (guarding horizontally and palm down) near your right biceps. (This action should result in your opponent bending over at the waist.)
  5. With your opponent now bending over, immediately slide your left foot counterclockwise toward 4:30, and into a right forward bow (facing 10:30), as you execute a left outward handsword strike to the left side of your opponent’s neck. (Your right hand acts as a positional check against any potential danger from your opponent’s left arm.) have your left hand (during the interim) hook to the left side of, as well as on top of, your opponent’s neck, to aid you in pulling his head down if necessary.
  6. Without hesitation, and while pivoting into a right neutral bow,have your left hand hook around the back of your opponent’s neck (to force his head down), followed by a right inward handsword to the back of his neck.  At the time your right handsword strikes, your left hand should be checking low.
  7. Right front crossover, and cover out toward 4:30.

Notes

Variations