Techniques – KenpoTech

Crossed Twigs (Blue #15)

KenpoTech on January 30, 2011

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Crossed Twigs is the 15th required technique to obtain your Blue Belt in Ed Parker’s American Kenpo. Crossed Twigs is a defense against a two hand wrist grab from the rear, placing it in the grabs & tackles category of the Web of Knowledge as well as the Wrist Grabs Family Group in the Grabs category of the family groups Grappling division.

This technique was designed in order for you to appraise the merits of using a matching counter to control your opponent’s zones of protection and prevent his retaliation. Torque and Marriage of Gravity are the sources of power for your actions and you are acquainted with the principle of compounding by the logical insertion of an elbow strike to your opponent’s jaw. Finally a focus is placed on the flow of action and economization of motion.

The Technique

Attack

In the ideal phase your opponent is directly behind you (6:00). Your opponent grabs both of your wrists in order to restrain you; his right hand grabbing your right wrist and his left hand grabbing your left wrist.

An opponent grabbing you in such a position has several options available to him other than simply restraining you. You could be restrained as another attacker strikes you, he can pull you backward putting pressure on your shoulder joints, he could pull you backwards as he drives a knee into your lower back or it could be used as a transitional stage to put you into a more serious type of grappling maneuver (hug, hold, choke, lock).

Defense

Crossed Twigs – defense for a rear double wrist grab.

Step 1
- Counter grab both of your opponent’s wrists with your hands,
- Step toward 1:30 with your left foot to form a right reverse bow stance,
- Pull your opponent downward and forward with both of your hands.
Step 2
- Pivot clockwise to form a right neutral bow stance facing 7:30,
- Deliver a right outward upward elbow strike through your opponent’s right jaw as you cross your opponent’s arms (right over left).
Step 3
- Pivot clockwise into a right forward bow stance facing 7:30
- Continue the flow of action of your right arm, crossing your opponent’s arms, by pulling his right arm down and behind you.
Step 4
- Release your grasp with your right hand,
- Deliver a right inward overhead elbow strike to your opponent’s upper spine,
Step 5
- Release your grip with your left hand,
- Deliver simultaneous right and left downward heel palm strike’s to your opponent’s left kidney and left rib cage, grabbing and pinching them,
- Execute a left upward knee kick to your opponent’s right ribs.
Step 6
- Plant your left foot back to point and origin
- Execute a right front crossover
- Cover out twice toward 1:30.

Considerations

What if…
- your opponent pulls you back?
- your opponent forces you forward?
- your opponent cross grabs your wrists from behind?
- your opponent grabs your elbows instead of your wrists?
- your opponent breaks your grip before the elbow strike?
- your opponent breaks your grip as you are crossing his arms?
- you are unable to step forward?

Notes

As you pivot clockwise, keep your opponent’s left arm below the level of your buttocks. Alternatively, you can use your buttocks to anchor your opponent’s left arm in place.
It is important to keep in mind that steps 2 through 4 are meant to be one continuous flow of action.
Be sure that when you are crossing your opponent’s arms, you do not pull the right arm horizontally. You open yourself up to an elbow in the face. This could even occur without your opponent’s intent should you lose your grip on his wrist.
To maximize the effect of the right inward overhead elbow strike employ marriage of gravity by dropping into a right wide kneel stance as the elbow makes contact with your opponent.
Consider working on tightening your circular paths of action. See how it improves your timing and places your moves in sync; increasing the speed and force of your strikes.
Practice counter grabbing a partner’s wrists and get the proper feel for its application. Doing so will induce proper and successful manipulation of your opponent.
Compare to other techniques and determine how creating an Angle of Disturbance works in your favor.
Note the various types of body momentum used in this technique and how often it occurs.
Work on timing when applying the sandwiching effect in order to maximize its potential.

Additional Information

Name

In American Kenpo the term twig is used to represent the arms. In this technique your opponent’s arms (twigs) are crossed as part of your defense giving us the name Crossed Twigs.

Basics & Maneuvers

Left Front Step Through
Right Reverse Bow Stance
Right Neutral Bow Stance
Right Outward Upward Diagonal Elbow Strike
Right Forward Bow Stance
Right Inward Overhead Elbow Strike
Right Wide Kneel Stance
Left Downward Heel Palm Strike
Right Downward Heel Palm Strike
Left Upward Knee Kick
Right Front Crossover
Cover Out

Targets

Face
Jaw
Upper Spine
Left Kidney
Left Rib Cage
Right Rib Cage

Concepts & Principles

Anchoring
Angle of Cancellation
Angle of Disturbance

Concepts & Principles (Con’t)

Angle of Entry
Angle of Execution
Angle of Incidence
Backup Mass
Body Momentum
Borrowed Force
Continuity of Motion
Contouring (Fitting)
Control Distance
Detaining Check
Economy of Motion
Figure 8 Pattern
Gravitational Check
Lower Case/Upper Case
Marriage of Gravity
Matching Counter
Obscure Zones
Opposing Forces
Pivoting
Purposeful Compliance
Purposeful Defiance
Rounding The Corners
Sandwiching
Solidify Your Base
Torque
With

Related Techniques

Locked Wing (O-17)
Twirling Wings (P-1)
Thundering Hammers (P-10)
Hooking Wings (P-15)
Flight To Freedom (P-24)
Begging Hands (B-1)
Spiraling Twig (P-22)
Wings of Silk (B-19)
Menacing Twirl (G-8)
Desperate Falcons (3Br-8)
Fatal Cross (2Br-1)

Historical Notes

1975 Accumulative Journal

In the 1975 Accumulative Journal, Crossed Twigs is Blue Belt Technique #12
The 1975 Accumulative Journal has you; step toward 1:00 on the initial move, pivot clockwise toward 7:00, crossover and cover out toward 12:00.
The 1975 version has you deliver a right horizontal elbow strike to your opponent’s jaw which creates two problems; the angle isn’t correct requiring you to cock before delivering the strike and it invites you to continue the flow of motion horizontally which opens the possibility of your opponent delivering an elbow to your face. The angle has been officially changed in future versions.

Historical Versions

CROSSED TWIGS (rear two-hand grab to wrists)

With feet together and opponent grabbing your wrists from the rear counter grab both of opponent’s wrists (right to right and left to left) as you step to l o’clock with your left foot (into a left neutral bow ).
Pivot clockwise facing 7 o’clock (still maintaining wrist grabs) as you cross your opponent’s arms (right over left) in the process, have your right elbow strike horizontally and outward to opponent’s right jaw and continue to pull opponent’s right arm down with your right (have your left hand which is grabbing opponent’s wrist pull down and below the level of your buttocks).
Release only your right grasp and circle counter clockwise with your right looping inward overhead elbow strike down to upper spine of opponent.
Release your left grasp and with your right, double heel palm, grab, and pinch opponent’s left kidney and ribs as you kick your opponent’s right ribcage with your left knee.
Replant your left foot to point of origin. Right front crossover and cover to 2 o’clock.

Returning Storm (Blue #14)

KenpoTech on January 27, 2011

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Returning Storm is the 14th technique required technique to obtain your Blue Belt in Ed Parker’s American Kenpo. Returning Storm is a defense against a right roundhouse club and right outward club combination, placing it in the Weapons category of the Web of Knowledge as well as the One Man Multiple Attacks Family Group in the Multiple Attacks division.

In this technique, you will utilize rapid foot maneuvers to first seek a Zone of Sanctuary allowing your opponent to miss with the first strike but then you immediately reposition yourself to defend against the second strike as you penetrate deeply into your opponent’s obscure zone. You will then use the momentum supplied by your opponent’s outward swing (borrowed force) in a continuous flow of action to make use of opposing forces which enables the push pull effect on your opponent’s arm as well as the spiraling stair case effect to direct him toward the ground. Both of these control your opponent’s height width and depth zones of protection.

The Technique

Attack

In the ideal phase your opponent is directly in front of you (12:00). Your opponent steps forward with his right foot and delivers a right inward horizontal roundhouse club strike. Upon missing he immediately follows with a right outward horizontal back hand club strike.

Defense

Returning Storm – defense for an inward/outward club strike combination.

Step 1
- Shuffle back with your left foot toward 7:30 into a right neutral bow facing your opponent.
- Bring both of your arms close to your chest, fists up top, into a protective guard.
Step 2
- Step forward with your left foot toward 1:30 into a left neutral bow stance,
- Deliver a left inward block to your opponent’s right elbow,
- Deliver a right extended outward block to your opponent’s right wrist.
Step 3
- Grab your opponent’s right wrist with your right hand and pull toward your right hip,
- Push forward against your opponent’s right elbow downward with your left forearm
- Slide your right foot toward 10:30 into a left neutral bow stance facing 4:30
Step 4
- Deliver a right front snapping ball kick to your opponent’s right rib cage.
Step 5
- Plant your right foot forward into a right neutral bow stance.
- Check your opponent’s right arm with your left hand by pushing it down past your right hip,
- Deliver a right upward lifting stiff-arm back knuckle strike to your opponent’s face.
Step 6
- Execute a right front crossover,
- Cover out twice toward 12:00.

Considerations

What if…
- your opponent does not step through?
- your opponent is swinging the club with two hands?
- your opponent delivers a left roundhouse club strike instead?
- your opponent swings on an inward downward diagonal path?
- your opponent is using a knife?
- your opponent is using nunchaku?
- you cannot step back?

Notes

When stepping forward into a left neutral bow stance, your left foot should be places to the inside of your opponent’s right foot. This will serve to buckle your opponent’s right knee to create an angle of disturbance.
Keep constant pressure on your opponent’s right elbow. Your rolling action on your opponent’s elbow coupled with the rotational force of your body should spiral your opponent down into your front snapping ball kick.
Be sure to use the Spiraling Staircase Effect learned in Sleeper to aid you when manipulating your opponent.
OPINION: While the official target of the kick is the right ribcage, this seems to be a very unlikely target due to the proximity and position of your opponent if the technique is done correctly, moves are kept tight and the ideal phase remains in play. The best you will be able to do to your opponent’s right ribs would be an upward knee strike making your opponent’s face becomes the likely target of the kick. Even then, the knee strike is more likely to strike your opponent’s chest. Considering all the variables and potential outcomes, it would make most sense to list the target of the kick as ‘any available target’.

Variations

Many schools will substitute the shuffle with a left reverse step through toward 7:30 into a right reverse bow stance in order to move away from the first swing.
While it is not in the written description, the technique is more often than not taught with an attempted disarm to occur simultaneously with the kick. This makes use of the disarm as a preparatory cock of the right hand for the follow up strike. Your left hand will maintain it’s position on your opponent’s right arm.
Some schools will teach a one of two variations where you do not plant forward after the right kick to your opponent.
- In this case you plant your right foot back to point of origin,
- and you disarm your opponent with your left hand as you execute a left front crossover and cover out.

Additional Information

Name

In American Kenpo the term storm is used to represent a club attack. In this technique your opponent strikes with the club but misses with the inward strike and immediately follows up with outward strike, returning along the path the strike originated from. Essentially the club (storm) is returning for another strike giving us the name Returning Storm.

Basics & Maneuvers

Left Reverse Shuffle (push-drag)
Right Neutral Bow Stance
Left Front Step Through
Left Neutral Bow Stance
Right Extended Outward Block
Left Inward Block
Right Reverse Step Through
Right Right Snapping Ball Kick
Right Upward Stiff-arm Back Knuckle Strike
Right Front Crossover
Cover Out

Targets

Right Wrist
Right Elbow
Right Rib Cage
Face

Concepts & Principles

Anchor
Angle of Cancellation
Angle of Deflection
Angle of Deviation
Angle of Disturbance
Angle of Efficiency

Concepts & Principles (Con’t)

Angle of Entry
Angle of No Return
Back Up Mass
Body Momentum
Borrowed Force
Complimentary Angle
Contact Manipulation
Control Distance
Control Manipulation
Contouring
Counter Balance
Have A Back Up
Marriage of Gravity
Minimize Your Targets
Obscure Zones
Opposing Forces
Path of Action
Point of Contact
Point of Origin
Push-Pull Effect
Reverse Motion
Spiraling Staircase Effect
Stabilize Your Base
Transitional Moves
Twirling
Zone of Sanctuary

Related Techniques

Grasp of Death (O-6)
Crossing Talon (O-13)
Obstructing the Storm (P-19)
Defying the Storm (B-7)
Leap of Death (3Br-9)

Historical Notes

In the 1975 Accumulative Journal, Returning Storm was Blue Belt Technique #11
In the 1975 Accumulative Journal version you;
- drop back to 8:00.
- step forward toward 2:00.
- slide your right foot toward 10:00.
- deliver the right kick and plant forward to 4:00.
- depart toward 11:00.

Historical Versions

1975 Accumulative Journal

RETURNING STORM (roundhouse and backhand club attack)

With feet together, drop back (by shuffling back) with your left foot to 8 o’clock (into a right neutral bow) and place both of your arms close (positioning them vertically with your fists at the top) to your chest, as your opponent takes a wild step through roundhouse horizontal club strike which misses.
As opponent attempts to strike with a returning backhand club strike, step forward with your left foot to 2 o’clock (into a left neutral bow) and have both of your arms strike vertically so that your left forearm strikes at opponent’s right elbow joint and your right outer wrist at opponent’s right wrist.
Immediately grab opponent’s right wrist with your right hand and push vertically and out with your left forearm as you slide your right foot clockwise to 10 o’clock, keeping constant pressure on your opponent’s right elbow.
Follow-up with a front snapping ball kick to opponent’s right ribcage (kick is delivered toward 4 o’clock).
As you plant your right foot forward (into a right neutral bow), check your opponent’s right arm with your left hand by pushing it down and past your right hip and deliver a vertical upward stiff-arm back knuckle strike to opponent’s face.
Right front crossover and cover out to 11 o’clock.

Fallen Cross (Blue #13)

KenpoTech on January 23, 2011

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Fallen Cross is the 13th required technique to obtain your Blue Belt in Ed Parker’s American Kenpo. Fallen Cross is a defense against two hand choke from behind, placing it in the Locks & Chokes category of the Web of Knowledge as well as the Chokes Family Group of the Grappling division.

In Fallen Cross you will begin by using your opponent’s own force. Using borrowed force in combination with fulcruming, you attack your opponent’s thumbs, creating a hyper-extension or break of the thumb as you move away from your opponent. As you move away from your opponent, counter manipulation comes into play as it ties up your opponent’s weapons, cancels his height zone and aligns his arms for the elbow break. Both fulcruming and the third hand principle play a dominant role in this technique. The technique completes with the use of an upper case lower case moment as you deliver a kicking combination in one count and then a sandwiching strike before covering out.

The Technique

Attack

In the ideal phase your opponent is directly behind you (6:00). He applies a two-hand choke with arms extended. It can be assumed that your opponent is pushing forward on your neck, preventing you from stepping backward.

Defense

Fallen Cross – defense for a rear two-hand choke.

Step 1
- Grab both of your opponent’s wrists with both of your hands,
- Tuck your chin into your chest,
- Step toward 9:00 with your left foot to form a horse stance facing 12:00.
Step 2
- Turn your head counter clockwise,
- Step toward 10:30 with your right foot into a transitional right neutral bow stance,
- and pivot counterclockwise into a left neutral bow stance facing 4:30.
- Cross your opponent’s right arm over his left arm, at or above the elbows.
Step 3
- Pull your opponent’s arms down and outward,
- Deliver a right right upward knee kick to your opponent’s left elbow joint,
- Immediately follow with a right front snapping ball kick to your opponent’s groin.
Step 4
- Plant your right foot toward 4:30 into a right neutral bow stance,
- Deliver a right inward horizontal elbow strike to your opponent’s jaw,
- Check your opponent’s arms down at the elbows with your left hand.
Step 5
- Execute a right front crossover,
- cover out twice toward 12:00.

Considerations

What if…
- your opponent’s arms are bent?
- your opponent is pulling you backward as he chokes you?
- you are unable to step to the left?
- you are unable to step forward?
- you are being choked from a seated position?

Notes

As you step toward 9:00 with your left foot you should be pulling your opponent’s arms downward to hyper extend your opponent’s thumbs against the back of your neck. As you settle into the horse stance, continue pulling your opponent’s arms forward but rotate his arms upwards and outward to put pressure on his elbow joints, possibly breaking them. This will not only set his arms in a position that facilitates the next move but it creates an angle of disturbance that control your opponent’s height zone.

Variations

Many, if not most, schools will teach delivering a left inward horizontal heel palm strike to the right side of the jaw along with the right inward elbow strike, in place of checking your opponent’s arms, in order to create a sandwiching effect. This works under the assumption that your opponent’s arms are pinned against your body as you plant your right foot forward after your front snapping ball kick.

Additional Information

Name

In this technique you will twist or cross your opponent’s arms at the elbow and this makes the arms resemble a cross. The manipulation of your opponent’s crossed arms by pulling them downward to cancel his height zone as you deliver your knee strike resembles a falling cross or a cross that has fallen to your knee. Thus we have the name Fallen Cross.

Basics & Maneuvers

Left Side Step Through
Horse Stance
Right Front Step Through
Right Transitional Neutral Bow Stance
Left Neutral Bow Stance
Right Upward Knee Kick
Right Front Snapping Ball Kick
Right Neutral Bow Stance
Right Inward Horizontal Elbow Strike
Right Front Crossover
Cover Out

Targets

Both Wrists
Both Thumbs
Both Elbows
Groin
Jaw

Concepts & Principles

Anchor
Angle of Alignment
Angle of Cancellation
Angle of Deviation

Concepts & Principles (Con’t)

Angle of Disturbance
Angle of Execution
Angle of Incidence
Backup Mass
Body Momentum
Borrowed Force
Borrowed Reach
Contouring
Fulcruming
Gravitational Checks
Guidelining
Jerking
Lower Case/Upper Case
Marriage of Gravity
Obscure Zones
Opposing Forces
Pin-Point Effect
Pinning Checks
Pivoting
Sandwiching
Stabilize Your Base
Third Hand Principle
Torque
With

Related Techniques

Thrusting Salute (O-4)
Circling Wing (P-12)
Cross of Destruction (P-23)
Twist of Fate (B-16)
Escape from Death (G-6)

Historical Notes

In the 1975 Accumulative Journal, Fallen Cross was Blue Belt Technique #10.
In the 1975 Accumulative Journal you:
- step toward 10:00 with your right foot.
- pivot counter clockwise to face 4:00.
- have a 10:00 angle of departure.

Historical Versions

1975 Accumulative Journal

FALLEN CROSS (rear two-hand choke)

With feet together and opponent choking you from the rear with both of his hands, step to your left (to 9 o’clock) into a horse as you grab both of opponent’s wrists with both of your hands (right to right and left to left).
Move your right foot forward to 10 o’clock (into a right neutral bow) and pivot counter clockwise as you cross opponent’s arms with his right arm over his left while now facing 4 o’clock, making sure that the arms are crossed at or above the opponent’s elbows.
While still grabbing opponent’s wrists, have both of your arms force your opponent’s arms down as you deliver a right knee kick up and against the left elbow joint of your opponent (opponent’s left elbow joint should be facing down at this point). Without hesitation and with your right knee against your opponent’s left elbow, deliver a right front snapping ball kick to opponent’s groin.
As you plant your right foot forward (to 4 o’clock), deliver a right inward horizontal elbow strike (or a right inward downward diagonal forearm smash from 1 o’clock to 7 o’clock, depending upon the circumstance). Have your left hand check opponent’s arms down and toward opponent.
Right front crossover and cover out to 10 o’clock.

Tripping Arrow (Blue #12)

KenpoTech on January 17, 2011

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Tripping Arrow is the 12th technique required to obtain your Blue Belt in Ed Parker’s American Kenpo. Tripping Arrow is a defense against a Front Bear Hug with your arms free, placing it in the Hugs & Holds category of the Web of Knowledge and the Bear Hug Family Group in the in the Holds & Hugs category of Grappling division.

Tripping Arrow is designed to teach you the concept of a strikedown counterbalanced with a buckle and how to make use of a forward bow stance to buckle and trip your opponent. While the initial move of Tripping Arrow appears to leave you open you prevent your opponent’s retaliation by controlling his Height Zones. Several new basics will be utilized for close range striking and the striking of your opponent’s lower height zones which brings us to Tripping Arrow’s introduction of strikedowns.

Many styles of Martial Arts use takedowns to force their opponent to the ground. Takedowns utilize the throwing actions to force and opponent to the ground, and it is the impact with the ground that causes the initial injury. Although considered a takedown, strikedowns are much more effective. Since you are striking your opponent to the ground, his injury occurs instantly, as well as with the resultant impact with the ground. Strikedowns are often counterbalanced with buckles.

The Technique

Attack

In the ideal phase your attacker is directly in front of you (12:00) and grabs you in a bear hug, leaving your arms free.

Defense

Tripping Arrow — front bear hug, arms free.

Step 1
- Step toward 9:00 with your left foot to form a horse stance,
- Your left hand grabs your opponent’s right shoulder and pulls downward,
- Deliver a right inward horizontal heel palm strike to your opponent’s left jaw hinge (finger in, thumb down).
Step 2
- Circle your right foot clockwise, around and behind your opponent’s right leg (toward 4:30) and buckle it by planted firmly into a horse stance,
- Simultaneously circle your right hand counter clockwise, delivering a right overhead inward downward elbow strike to your opponent’s chest as you cock your right hand, palm up and out, at your right shoulder.
Step 3
- Pivot counterclockwise toward 9:00 form a left forward bow stance,
- Deliver a right thrusting heel palm strike to your opponent’s jaw,
- Maintain a grab on your opponent’s right arm with your left hand as he falls to the ground and reinforce this by grabbing with the right hand as well.
Step 4
- Pull upward on your opponent’s right arm with both of your hands,
- Deliver a right thrusting heel stomp into your opponent’s right armpit.
Step 5
- Release your opponent’s arm,
- Sweep your opponent’s right arm with a right front crossover sweep toward 4:30
- Cover out twice.

Considerations

What if…
- your arms are pinned?
- your opponent lifts you off the ground?
- your opponent buries his head into your chest?
- your opponent grabs onto your right arm as he falls?
- your opponent is taller than you?

Notes

The first move will pin your opponent’s right arm, underneath your left arm as you lower your center of mass and shift your opponent’s weight to his right leg. It is vital that you pull downward on your opponent’s right shoulder as this will nullify his leverage preventing him from delivering an otherwise possible knee strike to your groin.
The circling motion of your right arm in a counter clockwise motion maintains a continuous motion, clears your opponent’s left arm and builds up power for the downward elbow strike to the sternum, culminating with the cocking of the right hand at the right shoulder.
It is important that you properly land in a horse stance and then shift into a forward bow. Many students try to land in directly into the forward bow stance usually in an attempt to make the technique faster. Proper form and timing are vital to this technique. Practice timing the shift into the forward bow stance with the heel palm strike to the face.
On the heel stomp, depending on your opponent’s position, you may need to strike the chin, ribs or kidney. Placing it in the armpit can help facilitate a shoulder dislocation.
Note the similarities and differences between this technique and Snapping Twig.

Variations

Some schools teach a variation where you drive your left elbow into the opponent’s forearm on the initial move. Keep in mind, the initial move as taught is designed to pin your opponent’s right arm under your left arm.

Additional Information

Name

In American Kenpo, the Forward Bow Stance used to be called the Bow and Arrow Stance. In this technique you use a forward bow and arrow stance as a means of tripping your opponent. Thus the name Tripping Arrow.

Basics & Maneuvers

Left Side Step Through
Horse Stance
Right Inward Hooking Heel Palm Strike
Right Overhead Inward Downward Elbow Strike
Left Forward Bow Stance
Right Thrusting Heel Palm Strike
Right Downward Heel Stomp
Front Crossover Sweep
Cover Out

Targets

Right Shoulder
Jaw (Mandible)
Sternum
Face
Right Armpit
Right Arm

Concepts & Principles

Anchor
Angle of Cancellation
Angle of Contact
Angle of Departure
Angle of Disturbance
Angle of Entry
Angle of Execution
Angle of Incidence
Backup Mass

Concepts & Principles (Con’t)

Body Alignment
Body Momentum
Bow and Arrow Stance
Buckle
Center of Mass
Double Check
Contouring
Control Manipulation
Counter Balance
Counter Manipulation
Diversified Angle of Retreat (with foot)
Economy of Motion
Fitting
Gravitational Check
Guidelining
Mid-Point Balance
Obscure Zones
Opposing Forces
Pinning Check
Point of Delivery
Point of Origin
Purposeful Release
Rounding The Corners
Sliding Check
Solidify Your Base
Strikedowns
Tripping
With

Related Techniques

Dance of Death (O-3)
Striking Serpent’s Head (O-16)
Thrusting Prongs (O-20)
Gripping Talon (B-20)
Squatting Sacrifice (G-5)
Cross of Death (G-18)
Securing the Storm (G-19)
Dominating Circles (3Br-15)
Falling Falcon (3Br-24)
Unfolding the Dark (2Br-14)

Historical Notes

In the 1975 Accumulative Journal, Tripping Arrow was Blue Belt Technique #9.
The 1975 Accumulative Journal indicates the following differences for Tripping Arrow;
- that you should circle your right leg toward 3:00
- that you should circle your right arm clockwise to cock your right hand at your right shoulder.
- that you should heel stomp your opponent’s chin.
- that your angle of departure is 5:00

Historical Versions

1975 Accumulative Journal

TRIPPING ARROW (front bear hug — arms free)

With feet together and opponent applying front bear hug with your arms free, step to your left with your left foot (to 9 o’clock) into a horse; simultaneously hooking your right heel of palm horizontally and in to strike opponent’s left jaw hinge. Your left hand is checking and anchoring your opponent’s right shoulder or arm by forcing and pulling it down thus nullifying opponent’s leverage and ability to deliver a right or left knee kick.
Immediately circle your right foot clockwise and back and around of opponent’s right leg (to 3 o’clock) and buckle it by planting heavily into a horse stance. Right hand also circles clockwise and cocks at your right shoulder (palm up).
Without hesitation, pivot to your left (toward 9 o’clock) into a left forward bow as you thrust your right heel of palm to jaw of opponent, thus tripping him over your right leg, still maintaining left hand grab on opponent’s right arm.
With opponent on his back and your left hand grab now at opponent’s right wrist, have your right foot heel stomp under opponent’s chin. If your opponent turns from the momentum and slips out of your grasp, stomp kick to opponent’s right kidney or ribs.
From stomp kick, release grasp and sweep opponent’s right arm with your right foot as you execute a right front crossover and cover out to 5 o’clock.

Retreating Pendulum (Blue #11)

KenpoTech on January 14, 2011

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Retreating Pendulum is the 11th technique required to obtain your Blue Belt in Ed Parker’s American Kenpo. Retreating Pendulum is a defense against a right thrusting rear kick from the front, placing it in the Kicks Category of the Web of Knowledge as well as the Kicks Family Group in the Striking division.

In Retreating Pendulum you learn the tactical use of subliminal retreat where your depth of action is not as pronounced as when shuffling. There is a finer margin for error but you will remain close enough to your opponent to give you greater spring when retaliating where you will employ the concept of bumping your opponent’s leverage points to unbalance him and hinder his ability to continue his attack. Special emphasis is placed upon relayed power through the use of a short circle of the right arm.

The Technique

Attack

In the ideal phase you are in a right neutral bow and your opponent is directly in front of you (12:00). He proceeds to deliver a right thrusting heel kick toward your body. It is assumed that your opponent is also in a right neutral bow and delivers the kick with a left rear crossover.

This kick can be delivered one of several ways and come from either a left or right neutral bow stance. It is therefore vital to learn to identify kicks as they approach you to react accordingly.

Defense

Retreating Pendulum – defense for a right back kick.

Step 1
- Slide your right foot back toward 6:00, executing a right rear crossover, to form a left front twist stance,
- Deliver a right downward diagonal block to the outside of your opponent’s right leg,
- Your left hand checks near your right shoulder.
Step 2
- Deliver a right snapping knife edge kick to your opponent’s left inner knee.
Step 3
- Plant your right foot toward 12:00, forming a right neutral bow stance,
- Deliver a right inward overheard hammerfist strike to your opponent’s neck,
- Your left hand should check near your right arm pit.
Step 4
- Pivot into a right reverse bow stance,
- Deliver a right rear scoop kick to your opponent’s groin.
Step 5
- Plant your right foot back between your opponent’s legs, approximately toward 1:30,
- Shift into a right reverse bow stance to buckle the inside of your opponent’s right leg.
Step 6
- Execute a right front crossover
- Cover out twice toward 7:30.

Considerations

What if…
- your opponent starts in a left neutral bow and steps through executing a right thrusting knife edge kick?
- your opponent starts in a left neutral bow and executes a right spinning heel kick?
- your opponent starts in a right neutral bow and shuffles with a right thrusting heel kick?
- your opponent aims his kick toward your leg?
- your opponent executes a left spinning rear kick after his right kick
- your opponent executes a right punch after his right kick?
- your opponent fakes a rear thrusting heel kick and then executes a right outward hooking heel kick?

Notes

In some schools a rear heel kick delivered via a left rear crossover is called a crossing rear kick.
Practice differentiating between a rear kicks, back kicks and angled side kicks.
Notice how distance is maintained by executing a right rear crossover while your opponent executes a left rear crossover.
Your right foot should immediately spring back into the knife edge kick after retreating toward 6:00
Be sure to take full advantage of gravitational marriage when delivering the hammerfist strike by timing the delivery with the planting of your right foot.
Your hammerfist strike should be the result of one continuous motion from your block, again being sure to emphasis fluidity of motion.
When delivering the scoop kick to your opponent’s groin, it is important that you properly gauge distance as you deliver the kick therefore you may have to drag your left foot toward your right foot to ensure proper distance.
Examine how this technique as well as its family related techniques, Deflecting Hammer and Hugging Pendulum make use of the Zones of Attack.

Variations

This is another one of those techniques where schools vary on the attack itself. Officially the attack in the ideal phase is a right thrusting heel kick delivered from a left rear crossover in which both you and your opponent begin in a right neutral bow stance. Some schools will have your opponent in a left neutral bow delivering the kick with a right step through and others outright change the kick to a knife edge kick. It goes without saying that this technique works great for more than one kick delivered more than one way. It is vital, however, to learn the technique as it was designed in order to gain the full education experience and understand this technique’s place in the system.
A strike may be inserted so that it occurs simultaneously with the buckle at the end. Two variants that come to mind are a right rear elbow strike to the back of the head/neck and a right downward rear heel palm strike usually to the spine.

Additional Information

Name

In American Kenpo, the term pendulum is used to refer to a downward block as it describes the manner in which your blocking arm deflects your opponent’s kick. In this technique your blocking arm swings like a pendulum as your right leg is retreating from your opponent’s attacking leg. Thus we have the name Retreating Pendulum.

Basics & Maneuvers

Right Neutral Bow Stance
Right Rear Cross Step
Left Front Twist Stance
Right Downward Diagonal Block
Right Snapping Knife Edge Kick
Right Inward Overhead Hammerfist Strike
Right Reverse Bow Stance
Right Back Scoop Kick
Right Front Crossover
Cover Out

Targets

Outside of Right Leg
Inside of The Left Knee
The Neck (5th Cervical Vertebrae)
Groin

Concepts & Principles

Anchoring
Angle of Cancellation
Angle of Contact
Angle of Deflection
Angle of Departure
Angle of Deviation
Angle of Disturbance

Concepts & Principles (Con’t)

Angle of Entry
Angle of Execution
Angle of Incidence
Angle of No Return
Body Momentum
Borrowed Force
Buckling
Bumping
Continuity of Motion
Counter Balance
Depth of Penetration
Detaining Check
Directional Harmony
Distance Matching
Gauging
Marriage of Gravity
Obscure Zones
Orbiting
Pendulum
Positional Check
Relayed Power
Shortened Circle of Motion
Threading
Timing (1/4 Beat)
Top of Circle/Bottom of Circle
With

Related Techniques

Deflecting Hammer (Y-4)
Hugging Pendulum (B-4)
Flashing Mace (B-17)
Circling Destruction (G-3)
Dance of Darkness (2Br-4)
Unwinding Pendulum (2Br-15)

Historical Notes

In the 1975 Accumulative Journal, Retreating Pendulum was Blue Belt Technique #20
The 1975 Accumulative Journal calls the initial strike a right outside downward block.
The 1975 Accumulative Journal indicates an 8:00 angle of departure.

Historical Versions

1975 Accumulative Journal

RETREATING PENDULUM (front right rear kick)

While in a right neutral bow, drop back with your right foot into a left font twist stance. Simultaneously deliver a right outside downward block to opponent’s kicking leg and check with your left hand by your right shoulder.
Immediately deliver a right knife-edge kick to opponent’s left leg, to inner knee.
Plant your right foot forward toward 12 o’clock and have your left hand check high (close to your right armpit).
As your block circles counter clockwise and without losing any motion follow-up with a right overhead downward hammerfist to opponent’s neck as you plant your right foot toward 12 o’clock.
Pivot to your left (into a right reverse bow) and deliver a right rear scoop kick to opponent’s groin (your right leg is between your opponent’s leg at this point). You may have to drag your left foot toward your right foot to assure proper distance for your rear scoop kick.
After planting your right foot back into a right reverse bow right front crossover and cover out twice toward 8 o’clock. (Use the right reverse bow to buckle your opponent’s left leg if and whenever possible.)