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

Sword of Destruction (EPAK Yellow #3)

KenpoTech on April 12, 2010

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Sword of Destruction is the 3rd technique required to obtain your yellow belt in Ed Parker’s American Kenpo.  This technique is a defense against a left roundhouse punch, also known as a hook punch, placing it in the Punches category of the Web of Knowledge and the Punches Family Group of the Family Group Striking division.

This technique in its simplest form is essentially Delayed Sword performed for an attack from the opposite side, which in turn introduces you to reverse motion, how reaction can beat action and opposite motion. Like Delayed Sword can be used for a right push or a right punch, this technique will also work for a left push or a left shoulder grab or lapel grab.

  • Step 1
    • Step toward 6:00 with your left foot to form a right neutral bow stance,
    • Deliver a right extended outward block,
    • Left hand covers low.
  • Step 2
    • Deliver a right front snapping ball kick.
  • Step 3
    • Plant your right foot forward into a right neutral bow stance.
    • Deliver a right snapping inward downward diagonal handsword strike.
  • Step 4
    • Cover toward 6:00.

Additional Information

Name

In American Kenpo Names the term destruction is used to symbolize an action coming from or going to the left side of the body.  In this technique, your defense ends with a handsword (sword) strike to the left side (destruction) of the opponent’s neck.  Thus, Sword of Destruction serves as a reminder to the main element of this technique; a handsword (sword) strike to the left side (destruction) of the opponent’s neck.

Attack

The ideal phase of this technique has the attacker directly in front of you in a right fighting stance. He then steps forward with his left foot as he executes a left roundhouse punch to your head.

A roundhouse punch, also known as a hook punch, is a very common type of punch used by street fighters.  This type of punch generates a tremendous amount of power due to the torque generated by the rotation of the body and shoulders and can cause serious injury if it makes contact.  Timing is critical to avoid having this punch make contact

Basics & Maneuvers Used

  • Left Reverse Step Through
  • Right Neutral Bow Stance
  • Right Extended Outward Block
  • Left Positional Check
  • Right 45° Cat Stance (transitional)
  • Right Front Snapping Ball Kick
  • Right Inward Downward Diagonal Handsword Strike

Targets

  • Radius bone or radial nerve
  • Groin or bladder
  • Left side of the neck

Concepts & Principles Taught

  • Angle of Cancellation
  • Angle of Disturbance
  • Backup Mass
  • Balance Compensation
  • Borrowed Reach
  • Contouring
  • Controlling the Gap
  • Detaining Block
  • Dimensional Zones Concept
  • Marriage of Gravity
  • Positional Check
  • Preparatory Cocking Check
  • Rebounding Check
  • Reverse Motion
  • Torque


Considerations

  • What if the attacker…
    • follows his left punch with a right punch?
    • attempts a right punch instead of a left?
    • throws a right punch followed by  a left punch?
    • follows his left punch with a kick?
    • throws a high left roundhouse kick?
    • throws a low left roundhouse kick?

Related Techniques

Historical Notes

  • The 1975 Accumulative Journal indicates that your right hand should snap back to check your opponent’s left inner wrist.
  • The 1987 IKKA Manuals indicate that your right hand should snap back to check your opponent’s left shoulder
  • Neither the 1975 Accumulative Journal nor the 1987 IKKA Manuals indicate an angle of departure.

Historical Versions

1975 Accumulative Journal

SWORD OF DESTRUCTION  (left straight or round house punch)

  1. With your feet together step back with your left foot into a right neutral bow stance as you execute a right extended outward strike to left inner wrist of opponent’s left punch at this point you lift hand is covering near your solar-plexus).
  2. From your right neutral bow stance immediately deliver a right front snap ball kick to your opponent’s groin.
  3. As you plant down (employing marriage of gravity) execute a right inward handsword strike to the left side of your opponent’s neck.
  4. Immediately snap your right hand back to the inner wrist of opponent’s left arm to act as a check  (keeping your hand open, palm up, finger pointing away from you and your right elbow anchored down to protect your right rib cage).
  5. No cover out is required.

Unfinished Yellow Belt Manual by Ed Parker

SWORD OF DESTRUCTION (front – left straight or roundhouse punch)

  1. Standing naturally, step back with your left foot toward 6:00 into a right neutral bow stance (facing 12:00), as you simultaneously execute a right extended outward block to the inner forearm of your opponent’s left punch. Your left hand should be in a positional check, covering your solar-plexus.
  2. Immediately slide your right foot back into a 45 degree cat stance.
  3. Without hesitation deliver a right front snap ball kick to your opponent’s groin. (Your kick should cause your opponent to bend forward at the waist.)
  4. While planting your right foot forward, inside of your opponent’s left leg, and into a right neutral bow (facing 12:00), employ Marriage of Gravity as you execute a right inward handsword strike to the left side of your opponent’s neck. (This action should cause your opponent to fall to the ground.)
  5. Immediately snap your right hand back to the left shoulder of your opponent to act as a check.

Notes

Variations