WATCH KENPO IN ACTION
FREE LESSON: Twisting Talon B
In this lesson, we’ll go beyond simply memorizing the sequence and examine the wrist control, leverage, body rotation, footwork, angles, timing, balance disruption, and striking mechanics that make the technique work.
Demonstration
Twisting Talon B is a Tracy’s Kenpo self-defense technique designed against a cross-hand wrist grab.
The name Twisting Talon reflects the mechanics of the technique. Much like an eagle uses its talons to control its prey, your hand establishes a powerful grip while your footwork, pivot, and body rotation change the angle of the attack.
Twisting Talon demonstrates counter-grabbing, wrist control, angle changes, body rotation, balance, proper positioning, covering, and striking while maintaining control of your opponent.
EXPLANATION
The defense begins by stepping the left foot back approximately 12 inches toward 5:00, then pivoting the body counterclockwise to face 4:30, and settling into a slight right bow stance.
The right hand counter-grabs the opponent’s right wrist while the left hand covers, and the defense finishes with a right back kick to the opponent’s left rib cage.
FREE LESSON: Kenpo SHIELD B
In this lesson, we'll examine the footwork, rising-block mechanics, hand positioning, distance, timing, angles, body rotation, targeting, and transition from defense to offense.
Demonstration
Kenpo Shield B is a Tracy’s Kenpo self-defense technique designed to defend against either a right or left punch.
What I like about Kenpo Shield is the way defense and offense work together. The rising block is stopping the punch, protecting you, redirecting the attack, changing the opponent’s line, and creating the opening for your counterstrike.
This technique proves that your defense should help create your offense. It shows important Kenpo principles including footwork, angle of departure, simultaneous preparation, maintaining your defensive shield, economy of motion, targeting, and immediate counterattack.
EXPLANATION
The defense begins by stepping the right foot back toward 6:30 while executing a left rising block underneath the incoming punch.
The right hand chambers while the left arm remains in a high protective position, forming the “shield” that gives this technique its name. From this protected position, the technique transitions immediately into offense with a right punch to the opponent’s body.
If the opponent is close after the rising block, the technique provides another option: a right inverted punch underneath the opponent’s floating ribs.