Mace of Aggression (EPAK Yellow #8)

Mace of Aggression is the 8th technique required to obtain your Yellow Belt in Ed Parker’s American Kenpo. Mace of Aggression is a defense against a two-hand lapel grab pulling in. This places Mace of Aggression in the Grabs & Tackles category of the Web of Knowledge and the Shoulder & Lapel Grab Family Group in the Grabs category of the Family Groups Grappling Division.

In Mace of aggression we convert what was a defensive motion into an offensive motion as we quickly advance on the opponent to make use of our short ranged weapons while controlling our opponent’s arms. This is the first time that you will move into the attacker as opposed to retreat or move away from the attacker.

Defense

• Step 1
  • With your left hand reach across and pin both your opponent’s hands to your chest.
  • Step forward towards 12:00 planting with a right downward stomp kick to the top of your opponent’s right foot.
  • Execute a right inward downward diagonal raking hammerfist strike, towards 10:30, across your opponent’s left eye and bridge of the nose.
• Step 2
  • Allow your right arm to continue on its counter-clockwise path so it strikes your opponent’s forearms.
  • Pull the opponent’s arms down with your right arm, anchoring your elbow.
  • Deliver a right inward horizontal elbow strike to the left side of the face.
• Step 3
  • Push-drag shuffle forward.
  • Deliver a right outward horizontal elbow strike to your opponent’s face.
• Step 4
  • Cover toward 6:00.

Additional Information

Name

As we learned in Alternating Maces, our fists are symbolized as maces.  As we are pulled in towards our opponent we take the aggressive stance and quickly move into the attacker as we strike with our fist (mace) thus the term Alternating Maces.

Attack

In the ideal phase your opponent is directly in front of you. He attacks by grabbing your lapel (or shirt) with both hands and pulls you towards him.

As previously mentioned, lapel grabs are often used to intimidate, unbalance, push you into an object or pull you into a knee or head butt.   Remember, while Grabs are seen as the least dangerous type of attack there is still a lot of potential danger and they should be treated swiftly.  It is also important to remember that when someone grabs you in an aggressive manner, it will be just that “aggressive” and they will not be gently placing their arms on your shoulders for you to have your way with them.  So train accordingly.

Considerations

• What if …
  • your opponent’s elbows are lock as he pulls you?
  • your opponent locks his arms pushing you away instead?
  • your opponent pulls you downward on a diagonal?
  • your opponent attempts to lift you off the ground?
  • your opponent attempts to pull you into a head butt?
  • your opponent attempts to pull you into a knee?
  • your opponent is much taller than you?
  • your opponent is much shorter than you?

Related Techniques

• Deflecting Hammer
• Triggered Salute
• Locking Horns
• Crossing Talon
• Snapping Twig
• Twin Kimono
• Entangled Wing
• Raking Mace
• Gripping Talon
• Destructive Twins
• Heavenly Ascent

Historical Notes

• The 1975 Accumulative Journal and the 1987 IKKA Studio Manuals do not indicate an Angle of Departure.

Historical Versions

1975 Accumulative Journal

MACE OF AGGRESSION  (two-hand lapel grab – pulling in)

1. With feet together and while opponent grabs your lapel with both of his hands, pulling you in toward him, execute a right stomp on opponent’s right longitudal arch simultaneously with a right inward downward raking back-knuckle slice, striking diagonally (from 2 O’clock to 8 o’clock) across the bridge of opponent’s nose as you left hand pins and checks.
2. Continue the motion of your right arm so that is strikes (horizontally) down onto both forearms of opponent thus forcing opponent to bend forward.
3. Execute a right inward horizontal elbow strike to left jaw of opponent, following through with the action,
4. Immediately return with a right outward horizontal elbow strike to right jaw of opponent, shuffling with the action if necessary.

Unfinished Yellow Belt Manual by Ed Parker

MACE OF AGGRESSION (front — two-hand lapel grab — pulling in)

1. Standing naturally, your opponent grabs your lapel with both of his hands and pulls you toward him. When this occurs simultaneously execute (1) a right stomp on top of the arch of your opponent’s right foot, (2) a right inward diagonal downward raking back knuckle strike (toward 10:30) to the bridge of your opponent’s nose (stressing depth of penetration), as (3) your left hand pins and checks both of your opponent’s hands to your chest. (Your opponent’s knees should buckle from the stomp as your back knuckle strike breaks his nose and momentarily drives his head back.)
2. Continue the motion of your right arm so that it travels horizontally and down, striking both of your opponent’s forearms, which will force your opponent to bend forward. (It is important that you keep your right elbow on the outside of your opponent’s left arm to prevent it from being trapped.)
3. Immediately execute a right inward horizontal elbow strike (contouring but not restricting your movement) to the left side of your opponent’s jaw, (as your left hand remains checking) making sure that you follow through with your action. (This will turn your opponent’s head to his right.)
4. Without hesitation, return with a right outward horizontal elbow strike to the right side of your opponent’s jaw. (This should force your opponent away from you.)

Notes

Variations