The Arm Bar of American
Kenpo
by Jon E. Belcher
based on his 1999 UKS newsletter article.
The arm bar is a very popular technique in most Kenpo schools and one
most Kenpo practitioners work with. The most common arm bar is found in
the technique Crossing Talon. In this list, this armbar will be used as
the model.
Description: Working on your attaker's
leading arm (from opposing stances) have with your lead forearm at your
attacker's elbow, and your rear hand grasping your attacker's wrist (pulling
to your rear hip). This pull on to the also creates a third hand situation
as well.
In each of the following attacks, the arm bar you apply will be identical.
The only thing that changes is the attack and the way you maneuver to apply
the arm bar. These are not necessarily all within Kenpo techniques in the
Ideal Phase, but the technique can be grafted on to the end of any such
attack. For the sake of brevity, the individual application notes will
be kept short. Refer to the individual techniques named for greater detail
on how each application begins located within the Flame under Written Curriculums.
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1. CROSS GRAB OF RIGHT WRIST-- (the
way it is taught in "Crossing Talon"). Stop at the arm bar.
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2. CROSS GRAB OF LEFT WRIST-- The same
as #1, but on the opposite side.
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3. DOUBLE WRIST GRAB--with your attacker
directly in front of you cross your right hand under your left hand as
you cross your right leg behind your left into a transitory left twist
stance. Unwind from the twist stance and apply the arm bar as you end in
a left neutral bow facing 3 o'clock.
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Can also be done by reversing the direction (same attack)
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4. STRAIGHT LEFT STEP THRU PUNCH--
from the front (like "Reversing Mace"). From a right neutral bow, after
step off and executing the double parry and right backfist to your attacker's
ribs, step your right foot towards 10:30 into a right neutral bow and apply
the arm bar.
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5. STRAIGHT RIGHT STEP THRU PUNCH--
from the front. The same as previous, just on the opposite side.
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6. RIGHT STEP THRU PUNCH TO YOUR RIGHT FLANK--
(like "Backbreaker"). Step to 12 o'clock pivoting your right foot clockwise
into a transitory right twist stance as you face your attacker and execute
a double parry (left inward parry followed by a right outward hooking parry
(waiter's hand). Step your left foot to 3 o'clock into a left neutral bow
with a left backfist to your attacker's ribs. Step your left foot to 4:30
into a neutral bow and apply the arm bar.
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7. LEFT STEP THRU PUNCH TO YOUR LEFT FLANK--
The same as arm bar #6, just on the opposite side.
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8. LEFT STEP THRU PUNCH TO YOUR RIGHT FLANK--
(like "Reversing Mace"). Step your left foot back and off angle towards
7:30 while executing the double parry /backfist. Step your right foot to
12 o'clock into a neutral bow as you apply the arm bar.
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9. RIGHT STEP THRU PUNCH TO YOUR LEFT FLANK--
The same as arm bar # 8, just on the opposite side.
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10. RIGHT STEP THRU OVERHEAD CLUB ATTACK--
(As used in "Obstructing the Storm"). Stop at the arm bar.
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11. RIGHT ARM (or both arms) HOLDING A GUN AT
YOUR CHEST-- (like the first move of "Twisted Rod"). After you
step your left foot to 11 o'clock into a left neutral bow while off angling
and executing a right outward hooking parry (waiter's hand) at your attacker's
right wrist, execute a left backfist strike to your attacker's ribs. Immediately
step your left foot 1:30 and execute the arm bar.
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12. RIGHT ARM HOLDING A GUN AT YOUR BACK--
(like the first move of "Broken Rod"). After pivoting clockwise & off
angle into a right transitional twist stance with a right outward hooking
parry (waiter's hand) at your attacker's right wrist, step your left foot
to to 6 o'clock into a left neutral bow while executing a left backfist
to your attacker's ribs and simultaneously grab of your attacker's right
wrist. Step your left foot to 7:30 and apply the arm bar.
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13. HEADLOCK-- (as taught in Grasp
of Death). This technique sets them up with a pinch and then you use back-up
mass to push your attacker's arm from around your neck. Stop at the arm
bar. You use the third hand principle here when (in the Ideal technique)
you release the right hand and punch them in the head.
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14. RIGHT OUTWARD STRIKE-- (as taught
in Returning Storm). After you dodge the inward round club strike, they
reverse the motion and you block them (like Five Swords) and ride the force
into an arm bar.
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15. RIGHT STEP-THROUGH STRIKE-- (as
taught in Defying the Storm) I will use this example because of the relation
with the previous attack and defense. In this one, you block on the inside.
Your rear hand still controls the wrist and your front hand will grab and
roll your attacker at the tricep as you step back. This creates an arm
bar, but a precarious one as you are in front of your attacker and they
could now attempt to tackle. This is where the follow-up knee and elbow
come in to play.
Note: The arm bar will allow you options
for disarming an attacker with a weapon, and / or subduing an unarmed attacker
without seriously injuring them. What if your attacker has his arm bent
and you cannot straighten it? When you step into your attacker's arm at
the elbow and attempt to complete the arm bar, the possibility exists that
your attacker may anticipate the move and manage to keep the arm bent with
the biceps flexed. If you realize you cannot complete the maneuver, simply
step back with the opposite leg. By reversing your direction and using
the principles of body fusion and backup mass you should now be able to
straighten the arm. Then you can put your front hand on your attacker's
elbow to lock it out or place the back of your attacker's hand against
your mid-section while pressing on the elbow to get the third hand involved
here.
And I am sure that most Kenpoists could come up with more ways to apply
an arm bar. Go ahead and apply your creativity and see what you can discover.