Hooking Wings (Purple #15)

KenpoTech on August 23, 2010

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Hooking Wings is the 15th required technique to obtain your purple belt in Ed Parker’s American Kenpo. Hooking Wings is a defense against a low two-hand push from the front, placing it in the Pushes category of the Web of Knowledge as well as the Pushes Family Group in the family groups Striking division.

In this technique the environment prevents you from moving to the outside of your opponent’s arms. In addition the attack is directed low which puts it out of range of an inward or outward block. You will act quickly on the inside of your opponent’s arms using borrowed force and frictional pull to draw your opponent closer and guide his arms to the outside of your Outer Rim. Using borrowed force again you kick to the groin and then execute the remainder of the technique in a continuous manner, rounding the corners for speed & efficiency while using the figure at pattern to control all of your opponent’s zones of protection.

The Technique

Attack

In the ideal phase your attacker is directly in front of you (12:00). He then steps forward with his right foot and executes a two-hand low push toward your waist.

This type of push usually comes on a downward angle in an attempt to knock you to the ground.

Defense

Hooking Wings – defense for a low two-hand push.

  • Step 1
    • Step back toward 6:00 with your left foot to form a right neutral bow stance facing 12:00,
    • Deliver left and right outward downward hooking parries (shape of the crane) to the inside of your opponent’s wrists.
  • Step 2
    • Slide your right foot back into a right transitional 45° cat stance
    • Immediately deliver a right front snapping ball kick to your attacker’s groin.
    • Your left hand covers low as your right hand cocks high
  • Step 3
    • Plant forward into a right neutral bow stance facing 12:00
    • Deliver a right inward downward diagonal hammerfist strike to your opponent’s left jaw hinge
    • Continue the motion (in a figure 8 pattern) to deliver a right outward downward diagonal back knuckle strike to your opponent’s right jaw hinge.
    • Your left hand checks at solar plexus level.
  • Step 4
    • Shuffle forward (push-drag)
    • Deliver a right upward elbow strike to your opponent’s chin.
    • Your left hand continues to check.
  • Step 5
    • Deliver a right downward heel palm claw to your opponent’s face with the heel palm going to the bridge of your opponent’s nose as you claw his eyes and face.
  • Step 6
    • Right front crossover and cover out toward 7:30

Notes

  • Your wrists should be outside of your opponent’s wrists on the hooking parries.
  • As you execute the hooking parries to your opponent’s wrists you will be jerking your opponent’s arms down, outside and past your hips. this will allow your opponent’s momentum to continue forward while directing his weapons outside of your Outer Rim which will prevent him from re-orbiting them toward you.
  • Advanced students who properly stabilize their base may reintroduce the transitional cat stance into the first step to improve timing and flow, however they should be aware that stabilizing their base is more important and when teaching the technique, the transitional cat stance should be on the second step to enforce that.
  • Plant your foot as quickly as possibly after the kick to ensure a stable base in case your opponent’s momentum continues to bring him forward.
  • Maintain a constant flow of motion with the right arm; there should be no stopping between strikes.

Considerations

  • What if…
    • your opponent pushes high, toward your shoulders?
    • your opponent pushes with one hand high and the other low?
    • your opponent grabs both of your wrists?
    • our opponent steps with his left foot?

Variations

  • During the downward heel palm claw you can deliver a right downward elbow strike to the sternum along the way.
  • You may drop into a right wide kneel stance when delivering the right downward heel palm claw for added power.

Additional Information Name

In American Kenpo the term wings refers to the elbows. In this technique, Hooking Wings,  it serves as a reminder to keep your elbows anchored as your hands are hooking over your opponent’s arms to clear them out of the way.

Basics & Maneuvers

  • Left Reverse Step Through
  • Right Neutral Bow Stance
  • Left and Right Outward Downward Hooking Parry (Shape of a Crane)
  • Right Transitional 45° Cat Stance
  • Right Front Snapping Ball Kick
  • Right Neutral Bow Stance
  • Right Inward Downward Diagonal Hammerfist Strike
  • Right Outward Downward Diagonal Back Knuckle Strike
  • Forward Shuffle (Forward Push Drag Maneuver)
  • Right Upward Elbow Strike
  • Right Downward Vertical Heel Palm Claw Strike
  • Right Front Crossover
  • Cover out

Targets

  • Left & Right Inner Wrists
  • Groin
  • Jaw
  • Chin
  • Bridge of the Nose
  • Face/Eyes

Concepts & Principles

  • Anchoring
  • Angle of Cancellation
  • Angle of Deviation
  • Angle of Disturbance
  • Angle of Incidence
  • Backup Mass
  • Body Momentum
  • Borrowed Force
  • Borrowed Reach
  • Clearing
  • Continuity of Motion
  • Contouring
  • Figure Eight pattern
  • Frictional Pull
  • Grafting
  • Hooking
  • Marriage of Gravity
  • Obscure Zones
  • Outer Rim
  • Point of Origin
  • Rounding the Corners
  • Stabilize Your Base
  • Torque
  • Transitional Moves


Related Techniques

Historical Notes

  • In the 1975 Accumulative Journal this was Purple Belt Technique #21
  • The 1975 Accumulative Journal has you pull back into the right transitional 45° cat stance on the first step. Students were not stabilizing their base in the processing and to correct this it was moved to second step which slightly alters the timing of the technique but does not alter any of the principles.
  • The 1975 Accumulative Journal indicates an Angle of Departure of 7:00.

Historical Versions

1975 Accumulative Journal

HOOKING WINGS (front two-band low push)

  1. With feet together, drop back with your left foot (to 6 o’clock) into a right neutral bow and execute a double hook (shape of the crane) using both of your hands to the inside of opponent’s wrists (your wrists are outside of opponent’s wrists) as you draw your right foot back into a right cat stance.
  2. Deliver a right front snapping ball kick to opponent’s groin.
  3. Plant your right foot (to 12 o’clock) simultaneously looping your right hand so that your right hammerfist strikes diagonally to opponents left jaw hinge. Continue a figure eight pattern and right back knuckle to opponent’s right jaw hinge.
  4. Follow-up with a right upward elbow strike to opponent’s chin as your left hand guards your right ribcage, shuffling forward if necessary.
  5. As your right elbow descends, deliver a right downward heel palm and claw to opponent’s face starting at the bridge of his nose as your left hand covers low.
  6. Right front crossover and cover out to 7 o’clock.

Finger Set 1

KenpoTech on August 18, 2010

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Finger Set 1 Step By Step

Open with the Salutation & begin in a meditative horse stance

  • Section 1
    • Side A (1)
      • Deliver a right horizontal finger thrust to eye level (palm down, long range),
      • Left hand remains cocked at the left hip in a clenched  fist.
    • Side B (2)
      • Deliver a left horizontal finger thrust to eye level (palm down, long range),
      • Right hand cocks at the right hip with an open hand palm up.
  • Section 2
    • Side A (3)
      • Deliver a right vertical finger thrust to solar plexus level (palm in, mid range).
      • Cock your left hand at your hip with an open hand palm up.
    • Side B (4)
      • Deliver a left vertical finger thrust to solar plexus level (palm in, mid range).
      • Cock your right hand at your hip with an open hand palm up.
  • Section 3
    • Side A (5)
      • Deliver a right upward finger thrust to the floating ribs level (palm up, close range).
      • Cock your left hand at your hip with an open hand palm up.
    • Side B (6)
      • Deliver a left upward finger thrust to floating rib level (palm up, close range).
      • Cock your right hand at your hip with an open hand palm up.
  • Section 4
    • Side A (7)
      • Deliver a right horizontal finger thrust over your left shoulder.
      • Cock your left hand at your hip with an open hand palm up.
    • Side B (8)
      • Deliver a left horizontal finger thrust over your right shoulder.
      • Cock your right hand at your hip with an open hand palm up.
  • Section 5
    • Step 1 (9)
      • Bring your right hand up to meet your left
      • Bring both hands down to the front and center of your body
      • Deliver right and left upward snapping finger thrusts (palm up) to throat level.
    • Step 2 (10)
      • As your hands recoil have them cross, right over left, into two-finger poke position,
      • Immediately deliver double two-finger pokes to eye level.
  • Section 6
    • Side A
      • Step 1 (11)
        • Execute a left downward horizontal heel palm check,
        • Cock your right hand in a vertical crane hand position,
        • Your left hand covers below your right elbow.
      • Step 2 (12)
        • Execute a right overhead finger whip to eye level.
    • Side B
      • Step 2 (13)
        • Execute a right downward horizontal heel palm check,
        • Cock your left hand in a vertical crane hand position,
        • Your right hand covers below your left elbow to eye level.
      • Step 2 (14)
        • Execute a left overhead finger whip to eye level.
  • Section 7
    • Side A
      • Step 1 (15)
        • Execute a left inward downward horizontal forearm and heel palm check,
        • Execute a right outward downward parry in an underhand crane hand position,
        • Your left hand covers above your right elbow.
      • Step 2 (16)
        • Execute a right underhand finger whip toward groin level.
    • Side B
      • Step 1 (17)
        • Execute a right inward downward horizontal forearm and heel palm check,
        • Execute a left outward downward parry in an underhand crane hand position,
        • Your right hand covers above your left elbow.
      • Step 2 (18)
        • Execute a left underhand finger whip toward groin level.
  • Section 8
    • Side A
      • Step 1 (19)
        • With your left hand still cocked at your left hip, execute a right outward downward parry in the shape of a crane hand; continuing the motion in an outward/upward circular fashion
      • Step 2 (20)
        • Deliver a right inward horizontal finger slice (palm up) at eye level.
        • Immediately follow with a right outward horizontal finger slice (palm down) at eye level.
    • Side B
      • Step 1 (21)
        • Execute a right inward downward diagonal heel palm parry that changes path to become a right outward downward parry in the shape of a crane hand finishing on the right hip.
      • Step 2 (22)
        • Deliver a left inward horizontal finger slice (palm up) at eye level that instantly reverses direction into a left outward horizontal finger slice (palm down).
  • Section 9
    • Side A
      • Step 1 (23)
        • Execute a left inward downward diagonal heel palm parry that changes path to become a left outward downward parry in the shape of a crane hand, finishing on the left hip.
      • Step 2 (24)
        • Deliver a right inward circular five finger claw to eye level that  instantly reverses its direction into a right outward circular five finger claw.
    • Side B
      • Step 1 (25)
        • Execute a right inward downward diagonal heel palm parry that changes path to become a right outward downward parry in the shape of a crane hand, finishing on the right hip.
      • Step 2 (26)
        • Deliver a left inward circular five finger claw to eye level that instantly reverses its direction into a left outward circular five finger claw.
  • Section 10
    • Side A
      • Step 1 (27)
        • Execute a left inward downward diagonal heel palm parry that changes path to become a left outward downward parry in the shape of a crane hand, finishing as a left rear underhand heel palm claw to groin level
      • Step 2 (28)
        • Deliver a right inward overhead heel palm claw at eye level.
    • Side B
      • Step 1 (29)
        • Execute a right inward downward diagonal heel palm parry that changes path to become a right outward downward parry in the shape of a crane hand, finishing as a right underhand heel palm claw to groin level.
      • Step 2 (30)
        • Deliver a left inward overhead heel palm claw to eye level.
  • Section 11
    • Side A
      • Step 1 (31)
        • Execute a left inward downward diagonal heel palm parry that changes path to become a left outward downward parry in the shape of a crane hand, finishing as a left rear underhand heel palm claw to groin level,
      • Step 2 (32)
        • Deliver a right front underhand heel palm claw to groin level.
    • Side B
      • Step 1 (33)
        • Execute a right inward downward diagonal heel palm parry that changes path to become a right outward downward parry in the shape of a crane hand, finishing as a right underhand heel palm claw to groin level.
      • Step 2 (34)
        • Deliver a left front underhand heel palm claw to groin level.
  • Section 12
    • Step 1 (35)
      • With your left hand remaining in position, deliver a right front underhand heel palm claw to groin level.
    • Step 2 (36)
      • Execute a double upward finger thrust, continuing the motion into double upward finger flicks at eye level.
    • Step 3 (37)
      • Deliver twin outward thumb hooks to eye level.
    • Step 4 (38)
      • Execute two side outward overhead heel palm claws at face level
      • Continue the outward heel palm claws in an outward downward fashion until they reach your thighs. (Heel palm connects first then fingers)
  • Section 13
    • Step 1 (39)
      • Deliver a right inward two-finger eye hook.
    • Step 2 (40)
      • Deliver a left inward two-finger eye hook.
  • Closing
    • Step 1 (41)
      • Cover your right clenched fist with your left open hand.
    • Step 2 (42)
      • Close your meditative horse stance.

Finger Set 1 Contains

  • Stances
    • Attention
    • Horse
  • Methods of utilizing the finger tips:
    • Clawing
    • Hooking
    • Lifting
    • Slicing
    • Snapping
    • Thrusting
    • Whipping
  • Weapons formed by the fingers:
    • Four-finger thrust
    • Two-finger poke
    • Crane’s head
    • Finger slice (palm up)
    • Finger slice (palm down)
    • Heel Palm Claw
    • Thumb Hook
    • Two-finger eye hook
  • Parries:
    • Outward Downward (shape of crane)
    • Inward Downward Diagonal Heel Palm
    • Inward Forearm
    • Outward Forearm
  • Checks:
    • Downward Horizontal Heel Palm
    • Inward Downward Horizontal Forearm and Heel Palm
  • Finger Strikes:
    • Horizontal Finger Thrust (palm down)
    • Vertical Finger Thrust (palm in)
    • Upward Finger Thrust (palm up)
    • Back Over The Shoulder Finger Thrust
    • Upward Snapping Finger Thrust (palm up)
    • Two-Finger Eye Poke
    • Overhead Finger Whip
    • Underhand Finger Whip
    • Inward Horizontal Finger Slice (palm up)
    • Outward Horizontal Finger Slice (palm down)
    • Inward Circular Five-Finger Claw
    • Outward Circular Five-Finger Claw
    • Back Underhand Heel Palm Claw (stiff-arm)
    • Inward Overhead Heel Palm and Claw
    • Front Underhand Heel Palm Claw
    • Upward Finger Flicks
    • Outward Thumb Hooks
    • Side Outward Overhead Heel Palm Claws
    • Inward Two-Finger Eye Hooks
  • Movements utilizing the finger tips as weapons.
  • Movements that teach continuity and economy of motion from a stationary stance.
  • The double factor concept.
  • Basic hand weapons with checks and covers.
  • Pokes over the opposite shoulder.
  • Attacks to the three levels of protection as well as to the three depth zones.
  • Linear & Circular movements.
  • Hidden transitions.
  • Checks that become parries and parries that become checks

Finger Set 1 Teaches

  • How to properly gauge distance to the various depth zones.
  • How to strike to the various zones of protection.
  • How to properly aim and strike specific targets with prescribed weapons.
  • How to thrust (vertical and/or with the palms up) straight ahead or over the shoulder.
  • Knowledge of diversified targets and weapons to ensure multiple effect.
  • How to use fingers in a set or form.
  • How to employ the double factor:
    • continuity with power.
    • flowery movements with torque.
    • check with a strike.
    • strike with a check.
  • The various methods of executing the finger tips as weapons.
  • Utilization of  close range weapons.
  • Movements that teach Economy of Motion by employing:
    • Continuity of Motion.
    • The “With” Principle.
    • Reverse motion as a defense or an offense.
    • Returning motion as a defense or an offense.
    • Contouring.
    • Sequential Flow.
    • Point of Origin.
    • Double Factor.
    • Geometric Path of Action.
  • How different angles of delivery influences one’s methods of execution and choice of weapons.
  • The value of ‘Points of Reference’ in developing accuracy.
  • How to simultaneously strike in different directions, paths, and/or dimensions.
  • How to simultaneously execute different methods of execution.
  • How to attack various depth zones, both to the front and the rear.
  • How to attack various height zones, both to the front and the rear.
  • How to graft principles and methods of execution.
  • The use of Body Fusion.
  • How to take advantage of a pivot point.
  • Knowledge of diversified targets and weapons to insure multiple effects.
  • How to properly gauge the distance of your strikes.
  • How to attack from Obscure Zones.
  • The use of Dead Motion Deception.
  • The use of Object Obscurity.
  • How to elongate circles and round corners.
  • The use of an “open ended triangle” as a defense
  • How to use the Hinge Supported Concept to magnify damage
  • The development of precision movement
  • How to properly aim and strike specific targets with specific weapons
  • The use of the tail end speed from a whip to gain acceleration
  • Employment of the Pin Point Effect

Notes

  • During the beginning sequence you are varying the depth of the new strikes. Shorten the distance approximately one hand length for the 2nd set and another hand length for the 3rd.

Calming The Storm (Purple #13)

KenpoTech on August 14, 2010

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Calming The Storm is the 13th required technique to obtain your purple belt in Ed Parker’s American Kenpo. Calming the Storm is a defense against a right roundhouse club attack from the front, placing it in the Weapons category of the Web of Knowledge as well as the Sticks Family Group in the Weapons category of the family groups Striking division.

Calming the Storm teaches you how to simultaneously block and counterstrike as you move to the inside of your opponent’s effective striking range (the eye of the storm) while staying within the confines of your Outer Rim to borrow the force of his attack.  You will be controlling the center line of your opponent through out this technique and applying all the basic moves found in Alternating maces.  This technique also introduces you to Shorthand Motions.

Defense

Calming the Storm – defense for a right inward horizontal roundhouse club strike.

  • Step 1
    • Step toward 12:00 with your right foot to form a right neutral bow stance,
    • Execute a left extended outward block to the inside of your opponent’s right wrist,
    • Deliver a right vertical thrust punch to your opponent’s jaw or face.
  • Step 2
    • Pivot clockwise to form a right forward bow stance facing 12:00,
    • Deliver a left vertical thrust punch to your opponent’s solar plexus
    • Slide your right hand down your opponent’s right arm as a check.
  • Step 3
    • Pivot counterclockwise to form a right neutral bow stance facing 12:00.
    • Deliver a right outward back knuckle strike to your opponent’s right lower ribs,
    • Your left hand converts to a left upward hooking parry on top of your opponent’s right arm (waiter’s check).
  • Step 4
    • Right front crossover,
    • Cover out toward 7:30.

Additional Information

Name

The term “storm” is used in Kenpo to represent an attack with a club. At a storm‘s peak there are two locations to find refuge; far away from it or the eye of the storm where it is calm.  The roundhouse motions like a storm has the least amount of energy in its center.  In this technique you will neutralize the attack by moving inside the attack, to the eye of the storm, where it is calm thus the name Calming the Storm.

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 horizontal roundhouse club attack toward your upper torso.

A club attack can cause severe injuries and even death. Timing and Accuracy are extremely important to be sure that you neutralize your opponent’s weapons.

Basics & Maneuvers

  • Right Front Step Through
  • Right Neutral Bow Stance
  • Left Extended Outward Block
  • Right Vertical Punch
  • Right Forward Bow Stance
  • Left Vertical Thrust Punch
  • Left Upward Hooking Parry
  • Right Outward Horizontal Back Knuckle Strike
  • Right Front Crossover
  • Cover out

Targets

  • Right Inner Wrist (Radial Nerve)
  • Face
  • Right Inner Knee
  • Solar Plexus
  • Right Outer Wrist
  • Right Lower Ribs

Concepts & Principles

  • Angle of Cancellation
  • Angle of Deviation
  • Angle of Disturbance
  • Angle of Incidence
  • Backup Mass
  • Body Alignment
  • Body Momentum
  • Buckling
  • Centerline
  • Counter Rotation
  • Pinning Check
  • Pivoting
  • Pressing Check
  • Sliding Check
  • Shortening the Circle
  • Shorthand Motions
  • Timing
  • Torque
  • With


Considerations

  • What if …
    • your opponent strikes low?
    • your opponent is striking with a long club?
    • your opponent is striking with a two handed club?
    • your opponent swings to short never reaching you?
    • your opponent swings with his left leg forward?
    • your opponent swings diagonally downward toward you?
    • you are unable to get in deep enough to block your opponent’s arm?

Related Techniques

Historical Notes

  • In the 1975 Accumulative Journal, Calming the Storm was purple belt technique #8.
  • The 1975 Accumulative Journal has you step toward 11:00 to be sure that your opponent’s knee is buckled.

Historical Version

1975 Accumulative Journal

CALMING THE STORM (front right roundhouse club)

  1. With feet together, step slightly forward and to your left with your right foot (to 11 o’clock) as your opponent steps through with his right foot, delivering a right roundhouse club attack.
  2. As you step in, execute a left extended outward strike to inside of opponent’s right wrist. Simultaneously deliver a right vertical fist to opponent’s jaw or face.
  3. Immediately pivot into a right forward bow (facing 12 o’clock). Check opponent’s right arm with a right inward parry as your left vertical fist shoots over your right arm striking to opponent’s solar plexus or ribcage.
  4. Drop back (in place) into a right neutral bow as you deliver a right horizontal back knuckle strike to opponent’s right floating ribs while having  your left hand execute a left extended outward handsword or left hooking  check (palm up) can also act as a parry aside from being a check.

Notes

  • Be sure to positionally check your opponent’s right knee on the initial move with a right knee buckle.
  • Use your right arm during the sliding check to turn your opponent’s body clockwise to open up the solar plexus for the vertical thrust punch.

Variations

Circling Wing (Purple #12)

KenpoTech on August 14, 2010

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Circling Wing is the 12th required technique to obtain your purple belt in Ed Parker’s American Kenpo. Circling Wing is a defense against a 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 Chokes & Locks category of the Grappling  division.

In Circling Wing you check your opponent and take advantage of the fulcrum created with his grabbing your neck to force an easy release of your neck.    With the importance of protecting your throat and time of essence, making use of the “with” principle will help economize time as you counter strike at various heights and depths while controlling your opponent’s zones of protection.

Defense

Circling Wing – defense for a rear two-hand choke.

  • Step 1
    • Turn and tuck your chin down and to the right side of your chest,
    • Step toward 1:30 with your left foot to form a left forward bow stance,
    • Cock your fists at your left hip in a cup & saucer fashion ( left palm up, right palm in).
  • Step 2
    • Pivot clockwise toward 7:30 into a right neutral bow stance,
    • Deliver a right outward overhead elbow strike onto your opponent’s right arm,
    • Continue pivoting into a right forward bow stance facing 7:30,
    • Deliver a left four finger thrust to your opponent’s eyes.
  • Step 3
    • Pivot counterclockwise into a right neutral bow stance.
    • Deliver a right upward elbow strike to your opponent’s chin.
    • Slide your left hand down your opponent’s right shoulder and arm checking at his elbow
  • Step 4
    • Pivot counterclockwise toward 1:30 into a right reverse bow stance.
    • Deliver a right back hammerfist strike to your opponent’s groin.
    • Left hand covers high.
  • Step 5
    • Right front crossover and cover out toward 1:30.

Additional Information

Name

The term wing in American Kenpo refers to the elbow.  In this technique you will circle your elbow (wing) over top of your opponent’s arms in order to escape, thus the name Circling Wing.

Attack

In the ideal phase your opponent is directly behind you (6:00), and your opponent grabs your neck with both hands while keeping his elbows bent.

In a choke like this most of the pressure will be applied with your attacker’s thumbs. This pressure is adequate to prevent blood, the carrier of oxygen, from getting to and from your brain.  As with any attack that impairs your breathing and/or blood  flow in the neck it is important to ensure that your airway is clear and that you negate the attack immediately. The inability to breathe and prolonged restriction of blood flow will quickly cause unconsciousness and ultimately death.

Basics & Maneuvers

  • Left Front Step Through
  • Left Forward Bow Stance
  • Right Neutral Bow Stance
  • Right Outward Overhead Elbow Strike
  • Right Forward Bow Stance
  • Left Four Finger Thrust
  • Right Upward Elbow Strike
  • Right Reverse Bow Stance
  • Right Back Hammerfist Strike
  • Right Front Crossover
  • Cover Out

Targets

  • Right Wrist
  • Right Elbow/Arm
  • Eyes/Face
  • Chin/Jaw
  • Groin

Concepts & Principles

  • Anchor
  • Angle of Cancellation
  • Angle of Disturbance
  • Angle of Manipulation
  • Borrowed Force
  • Changing of the Guard
  • Closing the Gap
  • Continuity of Motion
  • Contouring
  • Frictional Pull
  • Hugging Pin
  • Marriage of Gravity
  • Pivoting
  • Pressing Check
  • Purposeful Defiance
  • Reverse Motion
  • Sliding Check
  • Torque
  • Transitional Moves
  • With


Considerations

  • What if …
    • your opponent’s arms are straight and locked out?
    • your opponent is pushing you forward?
    • your opponent is pulling you back?
    • your opponent’s right leg is forward?
    • your opponent’s left left is forward?
    • you are unable to step forward?
    • you are being choked from behind while seated?
    • you are being choked from behind while on the ground?

Related Techniques

Historical Notes

  • In the 1975 Accumulative Journal, Circling Wing was purple belt technique #7
  • The 1975 Accumulative Journal has you pivot clockwise toward 7:00 ending in a right neutral bow stance facing 8:00.
  • The 1975 Accumulative Journal has you pivot counter clockwise into a horse stance when delivering the upward elbow strike and does not mention the sliding check but rather has you cover your ribs with the left hand.
  • The 1975 Accumulative Journal has you pivot toward 1:00 in the final move but does not indicate an angle of departure.

Historical Versions

1975 Accumulative Journal

CIRCLING WING (rear two-hand choke — arms bent)

  1. With feet together, have your left foot step forward and to your right on a 45°angle (between 1 and 2 o’clock) into a left neural bow as your right arm cocks horizontally across your waist.
  2. Pivot clockwise (turning toward 7 o’clock) as you circle your right elbow over and down (right outward overhead elbow) on to the right arm of your opponent to hurt and pin that arm. Complete the pivot into a right forward bow (facing 8 o’clock) while delivering a left four finger thrust to opponent’s eyes.
  3. Pivot in place to your left into a horse as you deliver a right upward elbow strike to opponent’s chin. Your left hand should be guarding close to your right ribs.
  4. Pivot again to your left (toward l o’clock) into a right reverse bow as you strike with a right back downward hammerfist to opponent’s groin with your left hand guarding.

Notes

  • Make sure that you protect your throat on the first move.
  • Be sure to circle your right arm high over your opponent’s arms and pivot rapidly to ensure that you break your opponent’s grip.
  • Take notice that with your attacker’s elbow’s bent you are unable to step backwards for one of two reasons; he is either pushing you forward preventing you from stepping back or is too close for you to properly execute the technique with a step back.
  • Ensure a continuous flow on all of your strikes
  • Try and note the use of Reverse motion, especially in the extended version.

Variations

  • A common variation, that works depending on your attacker’s grip type,  is to pin your opponent’s right hand to your right shoulder as you step forward with the left foot. The steps would look like this;
    • Step 1
      • Pin your opponent’s right hand to your right shoulder with your left hand,
      • Step toward 1:30 with your left foot to form a left forward bow stance,
      • Cock your right arm horizontally across your arm.

Squeezing The Peach (Purple #11)

KenpoTech on August 12, 2010

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Squeezing the Peach is the 11th required technique to obtain your purple belt in Ed Parker’s American Kenpo. Squeezing the Peach is a defense against rear bear hug with your arms pinned, placing it in the Hugs & Holds category of the Web of Knowledge as well as the Bear Hug Family Group in the Holds & Hugs category of the family groups Grappling division.

In Squeezing the Peach due to your inability to create an angle of disturbance you resort to pain compliance as a means of distraction allowing you the time to stabilize your base.  You will use various methods of contouring such as tracking, fitting, guidelining throughout this defense as well as use a reverse bow stance as an offensive weapon for the first time.

Defense

Squeezing the Peach –  defense for a rear bear hug, arms pinned.

  • Step 1
    • Pin your opponent’s hands with your right hand.
    • Step back toward 4:30 into a right neutral bow stance facing 12:00,
    • Deliver a left back heel palm strike as you grab and squeeze your opponent’s testicles.
  • Step 2
    • Step forward with your left foot toward 12:00 to form a left neutral bow stance,
    • Deliver a right back heel scoop kick to your opponent’s groin.
  • Step 3
    • With your right leg still in the air, stomp into a right reverse bow stance toward 7:30
    • Deliver a right snapping obscure elbow strike to your opponent’s chin.
    • Left hand checks low.
  • Step 4
    • Right front crossover and cover out toward 1:30.

Additional Information

Name

The term “peach” in American Kenpo is used to symbolize the testicles. In this technique you are reaching behind to grab and squeeze your opponent’s testicles, thus the name Squeezing the Peach.

Attack

In the ideal phase your attacker is directly behind you (6:00) and applies a bear hug with your arms pinned at the forearm level and you are either being pulled back or unable to step to the side for whatever reason.

Squeezing the Peach differs from Captured Twigs and Crushing Hammers in that Squeezing the Peach can be used to answer some what if scenarios of the two techniques.  The first assumption that could be made is that your arms are pinned at forearm level where in Captured Twigs and Crushing Hammers your arms are pinned around the biceps.  Unlike these two techniques, the pinning of the forearms restrict your ability to make an effective strike with your hands and forearms.

The second assumption is that you are unable to step to the side for whatever reason.  One of the reasons could be the third assumption, that you are being pulled back, thus preventing the execution of techniques such as Captured Twigs and Crushing Hammer.

Basics & Maneuvers

  • Left Reverse Step Through
  • Right Neutral Bow Stance
  • Left Downward Rear Heel Palm Strike
  • Five Finger Grab
  • Left Forward Step Through
  • Left Neutral Bow
  • Right Rear Scooping Heel Kick
  • Right Reverse Bow Stance
  • Right Obscure Back Elbow Strike
  • Right Front Crossover
  • Cover Out

Targets

  • Groin
  • Left Inner Knee
  • Chin

Concepts & Principles

  • Angle of Cancellation
  • Angle of Departure
  • Angle of Disturbance
  • Angle of Entry
  • Borrowed Force
  • Buckling
  • Changing of the Guard
  • Contact Manipulation
  • Contouring – Guidelining
  • Contouring – Tracking
  • Hugging Pin
  • Marriage of Gravity
  • Obscure Zones
  • Pain Compliance
  • Positional Checks
  • Solidify Your Base
  • Zones of Obscurity
  • Zones of Protection


Considerations

  • What if …
    • your arms are pinned high?
    • your arms are free?
    • your right arm is pinned and your left arm is free?
    • your left arm is pinned and your right arm is free?
    • your opponent’s doesn’t release his grip
    • you are pinned against a wall and unable to step forward?
    • you are lifted off the ground?
    • you are taken to the ground?
    • a second opponent is punching from the front?

Related Techniques

Historical Notes

  • In the 1975 Accumulative Journal, Squeezing the Peach was Ed Parker’s American Kenpo Purple Belt Technique #12
  • In the 1975 Accumulative Journal you step back toward 5:00 on the initial move.
  • The 1975 Accumulative Journal also has you “deliver a right stiff leg stomp to 7 o’clock to buckle or break your opponent’s left leg” as opposed to the “stomping into a right reverse bow toward 7:30” to handle the buckle or break.
  • Lastly the 1975 Accumulative Journal lists the Angle of Departure as 1:00

Historical Versions

1975 Accumulative Journal

SQUEEZING THE PEACH (rear bear hug — arms pinned)

  1. With your feet together and opponent applying hug, move your left foot back to 5 o’clock (into a right neutral bow with your eyes focused straight ahead). Simultaneously have your left hand grab and squeeze opponent’s testicles as your right hand grabs and checks opponent’s arms.
  2. Immediately step forward with your left foot to 12 o’clock into a left neutral bow and deliver a right rear scoop kick to opponent’s groin.
  3. With your right leg still in the air deliver a right stiff leg stomp to 7 o’clock to buckle or break opponent’s left leg from the inside of opponent’s left knee with the inner portion of your right knee. Simultaneously deliver a right obscure back elbow (palm down) to opponent’s jaw while looking over your right shoulder and as your left hand checks low.
  4. Right front crossover and cover out to 1 o’clock.

Notes

  • Be sure to maintain your grab as you step forward into a left neutral bow stance.
  • Do not lean forward when executing the right reverse bow stance, doing so will cause your elbow strike to miss.
  • Consider a rear head butt  as an additional option if the situation permits.

Variations

One variation which serves as an answer to the last what if scenario goes like this…

Squeezing the Peach –  defense for a rear bear hug, arms pinned.

  • Step 1
    • Pin your opponent’s hands with your right hand.
    • Step back toward 4:30 into a right neutral bow stance facing 12:00,
    • Deliver a left back heel palm strike as you grab and squeeze your opponent’s testicles.
  • Step 2
    • Step forward with your left foot toward 1:30 to form a left neutral bow stance,
    • Pulling your opponent by the testicles between you and the second attacker.
  • Step 3
    • Deliver a right back heel scoop kick to your opponent’s groin,
    • Clear your opponent’s hands
  • Step 3
    • With your right leg still in the air, stomp into a right reverse bow stance toward 10:30
    • Deliver a right snapping obscure elbow strike to your opponent’s chin.
    • Left hand checks low.
  • Step 4
    • Right front crossover and cover out toward 4:30.