Snaking Talon (Blue #9)

KenpoTech on January 9, 2011

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Snaking Talon is the 9th required technique to obtain your Blue Belt in Ed Parker’s American Kenpo. Snaking Talon is a defense against a 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.

Snaking Talon uses a snaking movement to deflect and control an opponent’s attack thus introducing you to controlling your opponent’s height and width while following the path of a figure 8.  It is an example of the squeegee principle which allows room for error.  The same action that cancels your opponent’s height zone can be used to borrow force.  Another important theme introduced in Snaking Talon is the use of your environment as an offense where you will be introduced to using a crossover as a cocked weapon as well as the rear (reverse) chicken kick as a defensive weapon.

The Technique

Attack

In the ideal phase your opponent is directly in front of you (12:00) with his back is against a wall.  Your opponent then steps forward with his right foot and pushes towards your chest with both hands.

Defense

Snaking Talon – defense for a high 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 a right inward downward diagonal parry to your opponent’s left arm.
    • Your left hand checks medium height.
    • Continue moving your right arm underneath and to the outside of your opponent’s right arm.
    • Deliver a right outward downward diagonal parry to the outside of your opponent’s left arm.
    • Left hand checks at your solar plexus.
  • Step 2
    • Continue your right hand’s flow of motion, grabbing your opponent’s right wrist with your right hand.
    • Slide your right foot back into a transitional right 45° cat stance.
    • Pull your opponent’s right arm down toward your right hip
    • Deliver a right front snapping ball kick to your opponent’s groin.
  • Step 3
    • Without planing your right foot, execute a right front crossover toward 7:30.
    • Swing the opponent’s right arm toward 9:00.
  • Step 4
    • Release your opponent’s right wrist.
    • Pivot counterclockwise to deliver a left spinning back heel kick to your opponent’s abdomen.
    • Hop onto your left leg while edging toward your opponent
    • Immediately follow with a right back kick (chicken kick fashion).
  • Step 5
    • Execute a right front cross over
    • Double cover out toward 7:30.

Considerations

  • What if…
    • your opponent’s left foot is forward?
    • your opponent throws a left-right punch combination?
    • your opponent throws a right-left punch combination?
    • your opponent attempts a two-hand choke?
    • your opponent grabs your lapels with both hands?
    • your right arm is injured?
    • you are standing on a slippery surface (ie. ice, mud)?
    • you cannot step backward?
    • your right hand slips off your opponent’s wrist?

Notes

  • The first move is meant to be a continuous motion of your right arm in a figure-eight pattern, breaking this move into step-by-step movements doesn’t do it justice.  It is vital that it be kept in mind that this technique, and this belt level for that matter teach fluidity of motion.
  • After parrying your opponent’s left arm, it is quite possible that your opponent’s momentum is still driving his right arm forward.  Be cautious as you are snaking your arm and delivering the outward handsword block to the outside of the right arm as you can easily catch yourself.  Naturally, timing and proper technique are the most critical factor here but the insertion of a minor left inward parry will assist you in clearing your opponent’s arm.
  • Be sure to use Geometric Paths when executing your figure eight pattern, do not overreach your blocking arm and be sure to keep your right elbow anchored.
  • After the front snapping ball kick, the 1975 Accumulative Journal has you step toward 7:00 with your right foot into a right front twist stance vs the modern stepping toward 7:30 with your right foot into a left rear twist stance. The difference is not really in the direction you are stepping but in the name of the stance.  Although the footwork is the same, the name of the stance determines the direction you are facing.  The 1975 version has you facing away from your opponent as you would be facing toward the direction of your  ‘right front‘ foot .  The updated version has you facing your opponent as you would face toward the same direction as your ‘left rear’ foot.
  • It is important to be thoughtful of looking over the left shoulder first (as you execute the left spinning back kick) and then look over the right shoulder as you deliver the right back kick.
  • It should be kept in mind that your attacker has his back to the wall.  After you deliver the left spinning back kick, your opponent hits the wall which would typically cause your opponent to bounce off the wall or begin to fall forward.  Either way the attacker is now moving in your direction and your response is to stop his forward progression with a right rear kick.  If your opponent is not coming towards you after your left kick, the right kick is pointless.
  • Study the relationship between Snaking Talon and Five Swords.
  • Study the relationship between Snaking Talon and Delayed Sword (as well as it’s predecessor, Retreating Warrior).
  • Determine what techniques Snaking Talon may be grafted to.

Variations

  • The first variation in this technique is in the attack itself.   Everyone has their opinion on the push, be it a driving two-hand push, a non-committed two-hand push, simply a forceful two hand shove.  The common theme however is the fact that it is a two-hand push.  Another factor about the attack that is often left out is the key fact that the technique as described places your attacker’s back to the wall.
  • An option for step 2 is to deliver a left inward heel palm strike to your opponent’s right elbow joint at the same time you  jerk their right arm toward your hip and deliver the front snapping ball kick to their groin.
  • Another option for step 2 is to insert a four-finger eye strike as you jerk your opponent’s right arm toward your hip and deliver the front snapping ball kick to their groin.
  • While rare, some schools actually teach you to plant forward after the right front snapping ball kick in order to gauge distance between you and your opponent.
    • Opinion:  I personally have not seen this variation in any official documentation or notes, but I have seen it.  While this sounds feasible written out it alters the original technique.  First it changes the attack, your attacker could no longer be against a wall, as he would need to go back after moving in to attack.  Next you would have to alter step two by removing the grab and jerking motion then changing the front snapping ball kick to a front thrusting ball kick. Only then could your opponent stumble back enough to provide enough distance to allow or require you land forward and deliver the left spinning rear kick.  Finally without the wall, your technique would end here as your opponent would not move forward after the left spinning rear kick to the solar plexus.  I believe that this variant is better suited as a what-if scenario. If anyone has any further insight into this variation, please share with me. It is quite possible that I am simply missing something.
  • Different schools will teach different directions to move when executing the right front crossover into a twist stance.  These directions range from 7:00 to 9:00. The actual direction to move is not set in stone but is situational.
  • Some schools will teach the chicken kick, some will teach a two kick combination.  Regarding the chicken kick this is also broken down into two schools of thought. Those that deliver the first kick as a minor kick (to gain momentum) and those who deliver it with force working off your opponent’s body to deliver the second.

Additional Information

Name

In American Kenpo, the term talon is used to represent a wrist grab and the snaking is used to refer to an action that twists or entwines around various parts of your opponent.  Snaking specifically comes from the figure eight pattern of your right arm as it entwines through your opponent’s arms, ending in a wrist grab or talon.  Thus we have the name, Snaking Talon.

Basics & Maneuvers

  • Left Reverse Step Through
  • Right Neutral Bow Stance
  • Right Inward Handsword Block
  • Right Extended Outward Handsword Block
  • Right Transitional 45° Cat Stance
  • Right Front Snapping Ball Kick
  • Right Front Crossover (again at end)
  • Left Rear Twist Stance
  • Left Spinning Back Heel Thrust Kick
  • Right Back Heel Kick
  • Cover Out

Targets

  • Radial Nerve
  • Right Wrist
  • Groin
  • Solar Plexus

Concepts & Principles

  • Anchoring
  • Angle of Cancellation
  • Angle of Deflection
  • Angle of Deviation
  • Angle of Disturbance
  • Backup Mass
  • Body Momentum
  • Borrowed Force
  • Catch(ing)
  • Contouring
  • Controlling the Gap
  • Counter Balance
  • Environmental Impact
  • Figure Eight Pattern
  • Obscure Zones
  • Opposing Forces
  • Positional Checking
  • Sandwiching (Environmental)
  • Spinning
  • Squeegee
  • Transitory Moves


Related Techniques

  • Alternating Maces (Y-2)
  • Hooking Wings (P-15)
  • Destructive Twins (B-22)
  • Circling Fans (3rd Br-3)
  • Parting of the Snakes (3rd Br-19)
  • Entwined Maces (2nd Br-21)

Historical Notes

  • In the 1975 Accumulative Journal, Snaking Talon was blue belt technique #18.
  • The 1975 Accumulative Journal
    • has you step toward 7:00 into a right front twist stance.
    • describes the double back kick as a ‘reverse chicken kick’.
    • indicated 6:00 as the angle of departure.

Historical Versions

1975 Accumulative Journal

SNAKING TALON (front two-hand push)

  1. With feet together, drop back with your left foot to 6 o’clock into a right neutral bow as your right hand loops a figure eight, first with a right inward handsword on the outside of opponent’s left hand and a right extended outward handsword on the outside of opponent’s right hand, grasping his right wrist with your right hand while fading back into a right front 45° cat stance.
  2. While your right hand pulls opponent toward you (to your right and down), deliver a right ball kick to opponent’s groin (kicking toward 12 o’clock).
  3. With your right kicking foot still in the air, have it right front crossover into a right front twist stance toward 7 o’clock.
  4. Immediately pivot counter clockwise and deliver a left reverse spinning back kick to opponent’s abdominal area toward 12 o’clock.
  5. With back facing your opponent, hop on to your left leg while edging toward opponent (gauge distance correctly) and deliver a right back kick (this is actually a reverse chicken kick) to any opening opponent may have preferably the face or chest.
  6. Right front crossover and cover out twice toward 6 o’clock.

Thrusting Wedge (Blue #2)

KenpoTech on October 9, 2010

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Thrusting Wedge is the 2nd technique required to obtain your blue belt in Ed Parker’s American Kenpo. Thrusting Wedge is a defense against a high two hand push from the front, placing it in the Pushes category of the Web of Knowledge as well as the Pushes Family Group of the Striking division.

In Thrusting Wedge you penetrate the opponent’s attack and redirect his force with emphasis placed on the proper usage of the wedge. The natural shape of the wedge forms an angle of deflection that  parts your opponent’s arms as your hands thrust forward. The use of opposing force, borrowed force, borrowed reach, marriage of gravity and body momentum are utilized in a single flow of action allowing you to surprise your opponent by stepping forward and incorporating your offense into your defense.

The Technique

Attack

In the ideal phase your opponent is directly in front of you (12:00). Your opponent has stepped forward with his right foot and pushes towards your chest or shoulders with both hands.

Defense

Thrusting Wedge – defense for a high two-hand push.

  • Step 1
    • Step forward toward 12:00 with your right foot and form a right forward bow stance,
    • Thrust both, your right and left, forearms up and forward, like a wedge, to the inside of your opponent’s arms.
    • Continue the flow of action by delivering two rolling upward-outward claws to your opponent’s eyes.
  • Step 2
    • Pivot counterclockwise into a right fighting horse stance.
    • Deliver a right upward elbow strike to your opponent’s chin.
    • Slide your left hand down your opponent’s right arm to his right wrist, grab his right wrist and pull down past your left hip.
  • Step 3
    • Pivot clockwise into a right neutral bow stance.
    • Deliver a right downward hammering heel palm claw to your opponent’s face (the palm should hit the nose and the fingers continue downward into the eyes).
  • Step 4
    • Execute a right front crossover and cover out twice toward 7:30.

Considerations

  • What if…
    • your opponent’s left leg is forward?
    • your opponent attacks you from the left flank?
    • your opponent gets you in a bear hug with your arms pinned?
    • your opponent begins to throw hooking punches as you wedge his arms apart?
    • you are unable to step back on the initial move?

Notes

  • Be sure to properly form your forward bow stance on the initial move. This stance is what reinforces your bracing angle.
  • Note the similarities and differences between the initial movements of Thrusting Wedge and Parting Wings, take particular notice of the hand movements.
  • Your wedge block could be described in one of the following ways;
    • modified double outward extended handsword strikes.
    • double four-finger eye thrusts (keeping elbows bent).
  • When you deliver your upward outward claws to your opponent’s eyes, remain within your outer rim.
  • Be sure to follow through with the heel palm claw strike to the face by continuing downward toward the chest. This will help keep your opponent in check as you execute your crossover and cover out.

Additional Information

Name

The name for this technique is derived from the method and shape of your arms used to deflect your opponent’s attack.  Your arms form a wedge shape that acts both defensively and offensively when thrusting them to the inside of your opponent’s attack. Hence the name Thrusting Wedge

Basics & Maneuvers

  • Right Front Step Through
  • Right Forward Bow Stance
  • Modified Right and Left Extended Outward Handsword Blocks (Wedge Block)
  • Right and Left Rolling Upward Outward Claws
  • Right Fighting Horse Stance
  • Right Upward Elbow Strike
  • Right Neutral Bow Stance
  • Right Downward Heel Palm Claw
  • Right Front Crossover
  • Cover Out

Targets

  • Inside the arms (Radial Nerve)
  • Eyes
  • Chin (Jaw)
  • Bridge of the Nose
  • Sternum

Concepts & Principles

  • Angle of Cancellation
  • Angle of Deflection
  • Body Momentum
  • Borrowed Force
  • Borrowed Reach
  • Bracing Angle
  • Contouring
  • Controlling Check
  • Flow of Action
  • Frictional Pull
  • Marriage of Gravity
  • Meet Action to Beat It
  • Opposing Forces
  • Outer Rim
  • Parallel Forces
  • Sliding Check
  • Torque
  • Wedging


Related Techniques

Historical Notes

  • In the 1975 Accumulative Journal, Thrusting Wedge was Blue Belt Technique #7.
  • The 1975 Accumulative Journal has you step toward 11:00 on the initial move.
  • The 1975 Accumulative Journal indicates 6:00 as the angle of departure.

Historical Versions

1975 Accumulative Journal

THRUSTING WEDGE (front two-hand high push)

  1. With feet together, step forward and to your left with your right foot (to 11 o’clock) into a right forward bow as both of your arms thrust forward so that your forearms are wedges and your fingers (of both hands) are thrusting claws to opponent’s eyes and face.
  2. Immediately pivot (in place) counter clockwise and drop down into a horse simultaneously as your left hand grabs your opponent’s right wrist and pulls it down and past your left hip (anchoring your left elbow in the process). Simultaneously with the above action have your right elbow strike up to opponent’s chin (right upward elbow strike).
  3. Follow-up with a right downward overhead heel of palm strike to bridge of opponent’s nose and right five-finger claw to opponent’s eyes (in the same motion).
  4. Right front crossover and cover out to 6 o’clock.

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.

Parting Wings (EPAK Purple #9)

KenpoTech on August 8, 2010

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Parting Wings is the 9th required technique to obtain your purple belt in Ed Parker’s American Kenpo. Parting Wings is a defense against a 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.  This technique can be found in Long Form 3.

In this technique the environment and/or insufficient time dictate that you cannot move to the outside of your opponent’s arms.  With your choice of action limited you must learn to act quickly on the inside of both of his arms.  Your timing and Angle of Execution of your first move are of utmost importance.  If your hands travel from Point of Origin, you will have sufficient time to find the correct Line of Entry under and through your opponent’s hands.  The wedge formed by your hands and arms should part as far as your Outer Rim, thus insuring that your opponent’s hands will pass outside of your shoulders.  You have not stopped your opponent’s forward momentum, but you can Borrow that force if you quickly Round the Corner with your right hand.  Since you can anticipate impact upon contact, you should brace the angle of your strike with a solid forward bow.

Defense

Parting Wings – defense for a high two-hand push.

  • Step 1
    • Step back toward 6:00 with your right foot to form a left neutral bow stance,
    • Simultaneously deliver a left and right extended outward block to the inside of your opponent’s wrists.
  • Step 2
    • Pivot counterclockwise to form a left forward bow stance,
    • Deliver a right thrusting inward (palm up) handsword strike to your opponent’s left floating ribs,
    • Your left hand cocks near your right ear.
  • Step 3
    • Pivot clockwise to form a left neutral bow stance.
    • Deliver a left outward handsword strike.
    • Your right hand cocks at the center of your chest in a middle knuckle fist position.
  • Step 4
    • Pivot counterclockwise to form a left forward bow stance.
    • Slide your left hand down your opponent’s torso,
    • Deliver a right vertical thrusting middle knuckle fist strike to your opponent’s solar plexus.
  • Step 5
    • Left front crossover and cover out toward 4:30.

Additional Information

Name

The term wings in American Kenpo represent the elbow.  In this technique you use your wings (double extended outward blocks) for the purpose of parting your opponent’s arms away from your body.  Thus the name, Parting Wings.

Attack

In the ideal phase, your opponent is directly in front of you (12:00).  He steps forward with his left foot while delivering a two hand push toward your chest or shoulders.

As previously discussed a push should be intercepted before making contact if possible.  In the event a push like this made contact you could be knocked off balance, knocked to the ground, shoved into another object all of which can cause injury

Basics & Maneuvers

  • Right Reverse Step Through
  • Left Neutral Bow Stance
  • Right Extended Outward Handsword Block
  • Left Extended Outward Handsword Block
  • Left Forward Bow Stance
  • Right Thrusting Inward Handsword Strike
  • Left Outward Horizontal Handsword Strike
  • Thrusting Middle Knuckle Fist Strike

Targets

  • Inside of the wrists/forearms (Radial Nerve)
  • Left Floating Ribs
  • Left Side of The Neck (Brachial Plexus)
  • Solar Plexus/Xiphoid Process

Concepts & Principles

  • Angle of Cancellation
  • Angle of Contact
  • Angle of Deflection
  • Angle of Departure
  • Angle of Deviation
  • Angle of Entry
  • Angle of Execution
  • Angle of Incidence

Concepts & Principles (Con’t)

  • Backup Mass
  • Body Momentum
  • Body Rotation
  • Borrowed Force
  • Borrowed Reach
  • Bracing Angle
  • Checking
    • Cocking
    • Positional
    • Sliding
  • Continuity of Motion
  • Contouring
    • Guidelining
    • Pin-Point Effect
    • Tracking
  • Depth Penetration
  • Grafting
  • Opposing Forces
  • Outer Rim
  • Pivot
  • Point of Origin
  • Preparatory Cock
  • Rounding of Corners
  • Stabilize your Base
  • Torque


Considerations

  • What if …
    • your opponent’s right leg is forward
    • your opponent doesn’t commit full power into the push (body weight, momentum etc..)?
    • your opponent pushes low?
    • you are unable to step back?

Related Techniques

  • Scraping Hoof (O-11)
  • Shield and Sword (P-16)
  • Flashing Wings (B-3)
  • Twist of Fate  (B-16)

Historical Notes

  • In the 1975 Accumulative Journal, Parting Wings is purple belt technique #10.
  • The 1975 Accumulative Journal indicates 5:00 as the angle of departure.

Historical Versions

1975 Accumulative Journal

PARTING WINGS (front two-hand push)

  1. With feet together, drop back (to 6 o’clock) with your right foot into a left neutral bow as both of your hands chop out (like two extended outwards only using an open hand) to inside of opponent’s wrists (forcing opponent’s arms out). Make sure that both hands are parallel in height as well as in depth.
  2. Shift (in place) into a left forward bow as your right hand chops to opponent’s left ribcage (palm up) simultaneously cocking your left hand to the right of your face (palm toward you)
  3. Shift back (in place) into a left neutral bow as you deliver a left outward chop to opponent’s throat (palm down); cocking your right clenched fist to your right hip.
  4. Again shift (in place) into a left forward bow as you drop your left arm horizontally (with palm still facing down) and shoot a right middle knuckle fist (over your left arm) to opponent’s solar plexus.
  5. Drop back into a left neutral bow, left front crossover and cover out to 5 o’clock.

Notes

Variations

Snapping Twig (EPAK Purple #2)

KenpoTech on July 22, 2010

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Snapping Twig is the 2nd required technique to obtain your purple belt in Ed Parker’s American Kenpo. Snapping Twig is a defense against a left hand direct 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.

Snapping Twig places a heavy emphasis on Opposing Forces which can be found in all but the last step.  The technique starts off by using opposing forces to create a fulcrum effect that negates and attacks your opponent’s primary weapon.  Next we use opposing forces by counter manipulating our opponent with a frictional pull and borrowing that force as we deliver our strike. Finally we use opposing forces to sandwich our opponent between two two simultaneous strikes.

Defense

Snapping Twig – defense for a left push.

  • Step 1
    • Step back toward 6:00 with your left foot to form a right neutral bow stance facing 12:00.
    • Deliver a left inward hooking heel palm strike to the inside of your opponent’s left wrist, pinning their left hand to your chest.
    • Deliver a right inward hooking heel palm strike to the outside of your opponent’s left elbow.
  • Step 2
    • Hook over over top of your opponent’s left arm with a right crane hand,
    • Shuffle forward (push-drag) toward 12:00,
    • Pull your opponent’s left arm downward and past your right hip,
    • Deliver a left thrusting handsword strike to the left side of your opponent’s neck.
  • Step 3
    • Continue the motion of your right arm in a counter clockwise direction,
    • Left hand maintains either a detaining check on your opponent’s neck or a sliding check down your opponent’s left arm,
    • Deliver a right inward downward diagonal raking hammerfist strike across the bridge of your opponent’s nose.
  • Step 4
    • Continue the counter clockwise motion of your right arm,
    • Shuffle forward (push-drag) toward 12:00,
    • Deliver a left inward horizontal heel palm strike to the right side of your opponent’s jaw,
    • Deliver a right inward horizontal elbow strike to the left side of your opponent’s jaw.
  • Step 5
    • Right front crossover and cover out toward 7:30.

Additional Information

Name

In American Kenpo the term twig is used to represent the arm. In this technique your initial moves create a snapping effect on opponent’s left twig (arm) by hyper-extending the elbow, thus giving us the name Snapping Twig.

Attack

In the ideal phase your attacker is directly in front of you (12:00). He then proceeds to step forward with his left foot while pushing to your chest with his left hand.

A push is often stems from a verbal confrontation. Single arm pushes are usually meant to intimidate or knock the target off balance in preparation for a followup strike with the opposite arm. A technique like Snapping Twig aims to cancel any followup strikes in the initial move.

Basics & Maneuvers

  • Left Reverse Step Through
  • Right Neutral Bow Stance
  • Left Inward Horizontal Heel Palm Strike
  • Right Inward Horizontal Heel Palm Strike
  • Right Forward Bow Stance
  • Right Hooking Crane Head Strike
  • Left Outward Thrusting Handsword Strike
  • Right Neutral Bow Stance
  • Right Inward Downward Diagonal Raking Back Knuckle Strike
  • Forward Push-Drag Maneuver (Shuffle)
  • Left Inward Horizontal Heel Palm Strike
  • Right Inward Horizontal Elbow Strike

Targets

  • Inside Left Wrist
  • Outside Left Elbow
  • Left Side of the Neck (Brachial Plexus)
  • Bridge of the Nose
  • Left Jaw
  • Right Jaw

Concepts & Principles

  • Anchor
  • Angle of Cancellation
  • Angle of Disturbance
  • Backup Mass
  • Body Momentum
  • Borrowed Force
  • Continuity of Motion
  • Counter Manipulation
  • Frictional Pull
  • Fulcrum
  • Opposing Forces
  • Orbital Adjustment
  • Point of Origin
  • Rounding the Corners
  • Sandwiching
  • Sliding Check
  • Solidify your Base
  • Wrenching


Considerations

  • What if …
    • your opponent steps forward with his right foot?
    • your opponent pushes you with both hands?
    • your opponent grabs you and pulls you with his left hand?
    • your opponent follows the push with a right punch?
    • you are unable to straighten your opponent’s arm on the initial strike?

Related Techniques

Historical Notes

  • Snapping Twig was Purple belt technique #4 in the 1975 Accumulative Journal
  • The 1975 Accumulative Journal does not have you shuffle with the left heel palm strike and right inward horizontal elbow to the jaw.

Historical Versions

1975 Accumulative Journal

SNAPPING TWIG (front left hand chest push)

  1. Standing with feet together, drop back with your left foot (to 6 o’clock) into a right neutral bow as you simultaneously hook in (to your left) with the heel of your right palm to outside of opponent’s left elbow joint while hooking In (to your right) with the heel of your left palm to inside of opponent’s left inner wrist (utilizing opposing forces) to cause an elbow break.
  2. Have your right hand (while forming the shape of the crane) hook opponent’s left arm counter clockwise and out (to your right) while simultaneously executing a left thrusting chop (palm down) directly to the throat of your opponent; this is done as you shuffle forward with a push drag maneuver. Without any loss of motion continue the counter clockwise motion of your right hand so that the knuckles of that hand executes an inward diagonal rake across the bridge of opponent’s nose in order to cause a break.
  3. Continue the same counter clockwise motion of your right arm and execute a right inward horizontal elbow strike to opponent’s left jaw as your left heel of palm strikes to opponent’s right jaw thus creating a sandwiching effect.

Notes

  • While this technique is for a left hand chest push, it is often incorrectly taught as a push to the right shoulder.  The technique works for a push to the right shoulder but the attack in the ideal phase calls for a push to the chest.

Variations

  • Step 2 is also taught with a clockwise pivot into a forward bow stance instead of a shuffle forward as the pulling downward of your opponent’s arm should bring them into proper striking range for your next move.
    • If you pivot clockwise into a right forward bow stance on step 2 then you must pivot counter clockwise into a right neutral bow stance on step 3
    • Keep in mind some of the following about the shuffle forward;
      • The shuffle will close the gap for the next strike in the event that you are unable to pull them enough with the hooking crane head.
      • The shuffle forward adds body momentum and backup mass to the power equation as you catapult your body forward.
      • It allows you to check/buckle your opponent’s knee.
    • Keep in mind some of the following about the pivots;
      • If your opponent stepped in far enough during the attack, the shift into a right forward bow can also serve to check/buckle the knee.
      • The pivot in the opposite direction of the handsword strike will speed up the execution of the handsword strike
      • Torque is generated and released for the raking hammerfist strike in step 3.
  • Step 4 is sometimes split into two distinct steps with pivoting clockwise at the waist or into a right forward bow with the left heel palm strike as step 1 followed by shuffling forward with the right inward horizontal elbow strike being the second.
    • This “may” stem from when this technique was on the orange belt sheet, thus a beginner level technique, to simplify the moves for novice students. With purple belt being an intermediate level in the 24 technique system there is no reason to not expect students to be able to double strike at this stage.
  • In Step 4, the shuffle forward is sometimes omitted as you will notice in the 1975 Accumulative Journal version.  As with step 2 it will assist in closing the gap as your back knuckle strike if executed properly and with force could put them out of range but it also adds another power building dimension to the strikes at this step.