Kenpo: Opponents at Sides Variations

Opponents at Sides are important tactics that helps to understand how to leverage speed and precision movements to handle two people at one time. Because two skilled opponents have way more hands, weight, and confusing actions the overall goal is to be quick and decisive by not allowing them to use their numbers. Failure to hit vital areas may not have sufficient impact and will allow the opponents to counter attack. 

This need to hit vital areas quickly is one reason why I would suggest either the neck, bridge of the nose, or the groin. Hitting the neck causes a gag reflex, the bridge of the nose is a major pressure point, and the groin will force them down on the floor leaving just a few moments to escape. 

Kenpo may have aggressive tactics but they are designed as a method of removing yourself from difficult situations. Kenpo is a peaceful self-defense system that hopes to teach students self-restraint even when one is being manhandled. Only that force which is necessary to protect oneself and flee is needed. 

Opponents at Side-A (Opponents Hold Shirt at Shoulders)

-Step to the right into horse stance and deliver right hand chop to the throat of the opponent on the right. 

-Spin to the left to face the left opponent and deliver a right handed forward chop to the opponent’s neck. 

Alternative Opponents at Side (Opponents Hold Shirt at Shoulders)

-Step right into a horse stance and deliver hammer to groin, chest, neck, or face. 

-Spin to the left and deliver hammer to groin, chest, neck or face.

Using the Bridge to Protect Your Neck in Kenpo

The Bridge is a maneuver for those attacked and choked from the back. There may be times when an opponent attempts to control your neck and head from the back and it is necessary to take evasive action in order to protect yourself. The key point is to gain some leverage and control over the opponent’s actions while forcing a take down or solid immobilization of the attack. 

Putting the hands up and grabbing the wrists of the opponent helps to ensure that they are not able to maneuver your body in any direction they desire. Where the neck and head goes the body generally follows. Grabbing the wrists offers the ability to leverage against being forced into certain positions. 

Immediately one should swing their right shoulder in and under while stepping behind their left foot while forcing the opponent’s left arm over and away from your head. This ensures that the opponent no longer has any control over your body. Likewise, the opponent is left in an awkward position where both their arms are crossed and their body is partially twisted reversing the mechanisms of control. 

Stepping forward will pushing their right arm into their left elbow creates a lock that forces them to fall down to avoid breaking their arm. Light pressure will force a take down while greater quick pressure will create a break. The opponent will fall in front of you leaving other maneuvers or escape possible. In Kenpo the code of honor is to remove oneself from the situation. 

Bridge A (Opponent has two handed choke hold from behind)

-In single motion grab both of opponent’s wrists with both hands (hand on each by reaching overhead).

-Bow your head and step off to the left.

-Step behind your left food with your right foot as you turn right creating a bridge (crossing of opponent’s arms). 

-Step forward with your right foot and break opponent’s arm (or force take down).

The video has many of the same components with the way in which I learned it. You can see the movement and some of the variations.

http://youtu.be/PPNQ4WiDHUs

Kenpo-Introducing Thrusting Wedge and Wedge

Self-Defense is considered an art form of movement due to the quick paced action of movement. It is similar to dance, gymnastics and other sports. In self-defense, movements are practiced over and over until they are internalized and memorized for faster paced reaction when needed. It is often beneficial to practice in a class with others to get a feel for the speed and pressures to use while practicing by oneself.

At times an opponent may be attacked through a choke or a high grab to the chest. The Thrusting Wedge and the Wedge offer two different moves for self-defense. The Thrusting Wedge works well when the grab is in motion and isn’t settled yet. The Wedge works well when someone is attempting to choke you or has already set their grab.

The movements entail two different hand positions. In the Thrusting Wedge there is a heart shape between thumb and fore finger with palms outward while in the Wedge there is the palm locking over the other palm. The thrusting wedge hand positions affords outward momentum while the wedge hand position reinforces the hand structure for a spear.

Thrusting Wedge (High Two-Handed Grab):

-Opponent attempts high two-handed grab.

-Make wedge with hands and strike to eyes.

-With left hand grab opponent’s right wrist and pull arm down.

-Strike opponent’s sternum and slide elbow up to chin.

-Use right hand to claw opponent’s face.

Wedge (Opponent has two handed choke hold from the front):

-Place your left hand with the palm down into your right hand as you step forward with your right foot. (Both hands are near your stomach).

-Strike both hands in the direction of the opponent’s forehead while using the forearms to break the opponents choke hold.

-Retract wedge to the stomach and then strike forward to opponent’s solar plexus.

-Recoil

Kenpo is for pure self-defense with no attacking moves.