Thrusting Wedge (Blue #2)

Thrusting Wedge is the 2nd technique required to obtain your blue belt in Ed Parker’s American Kenpo. Thrusting Wedge is a defense against a high two hand push from the front, placing it in the Pushes category of the Web of Knowledge as well as the Pushes Family Group of the Striking division.

In Thrusting Wedge you penetrate the opponent’s attack and redirect his force with emphasis placed on the proper usage of the wedge. The natural shape of the wedge forms an angle of deflection that  parts your opponent’s arms as your hands thrust forward. The use of opposing force, borrowed force, borrowed reach, marriage of gravity and body momentum are utilized in a single flow of action allowing you to surprise your opponent by stepping forward and incorporating your offense into your defense.

The Technique

Attack

In the ideal phase your opponent is directly in front of you (12:00). Your opponent has stepped forward with his right foot and pushes towards your chest or shoulders with both hands.

Defense

Thrusting Wedge – defense for a high two-hand push.

• Step 1
  • Step forward toward 12:00 with your right foot and form a right forward bow stance,
  • Thrust both, your right and left, forearms up and forward, like a wedge, to the inside of your opponent’s arms.
  • Continue the flow of action by delivering two rolling upward-outward claws to your opponent’s eyes.
• Step 2
  • Pivot counterclockwise into a right fighting horse stance.
  • Deliver a right upward elbow strike to your opponent’s chin.
  • Slide your left hand down your opponent’s right arm to his right wrist, grab his right wrist and pull down past your left hip.
• Step 3
  • Pivot clockwise into a right neutral bow stance.
  • Deliver a right downward hammering heel palm claw to your opponent’s face (the palm should hit the nose and the fingers continue downward into the eyes).
• Step 4
  • Execute a right front crossover and cover out twice toward 7:30.

Considerations

• What if…
  • your opponent’s left leg is forward?
  • your opponent attacks you from the left flank?
  • your opponent gets you in a bear hug with your arms pinned?
  • your opponent begins to throw hooking punches as you wedge his arms apart?
  • you are unable to step back on the initial move?

Notes

• Be sure to properly form your forward bow stance on the initial move. This stance is what reinforces your bracing angle.
• Note the similarities and differences between the initial movements of Thrusting Wedge and Parting Wings, take particular notice of the hand movements.
• Your wedge block could be described in one of the following ways;
  • modified double outward extended handsword strikes.
  • double four-finger eye thrusts (keeping elbows bent).
• When you deliver your upward outward claws to your opponent’s eyes, remain within your outer rim.
• Be sure to follow through with the heel palm claw strike to the face by continuing downward toward the chest. This will help keep your opponent in check as you execute your crossover and cover out.

Additional Information

Name

The name for this technique is derived from the method and shape of your arms used to deflect your opponent’s attack.  Your arms form a wedge shape that acts both defensively and offensively when thrusting them to the inside of your opponent’s attack. Hence the name Thrusting Wedge

Related Techniques

• Locking Horns (O-6)
• Twisted Twig (O-21)
• Circling Wing (P-12)
• Twist of Fate (B-16)
• Destructive Twins (B-22)
• Heavenly Ascent (G-13)
• Blinding Sacrifice (3Br-21)
• Bowing to Buddha (2Br-10)

Historical Notes

• In the 1975 Accumulative Journal, Thrusting Wedge was Blue Belt Technique #7.
• The 1975 Accumulative Journal has you step toward 11:00 on the initial move.
• The 1975 Accumulative Journal indicates 6:00 as the angle of departure.

Historical Versions

1975 Accumulative Journal

THRUSTING WEDGE (front two-hand high push)

1. With feet together, step forward and to your left with your right foot (to 11 o’clock) into a right forward bow as both of your arms thrust forward so that your forearms are wedges and your fingers (of both hands) are thrusting claws to opponent’s eyes and face.
2. Immediately pivot (in place) counter clockwise and drop down into a horse simultaneously as your left hand grabs your opponent’s right wrist and pulls it down and past your left hip (anchoring your left elbow in the process). Simultaneously with the above action have your right elbow strike up to opponent’s chin (right upward elbow strike).
3. Follow-up with a right downward overhead heel of palm strike to bridge of opponent’s nose and right five-finger claw to opponent’s eyes (in the same motion).
4. Right front crossover and cover out to 6 o’clock.