Parting Wings (EPAK Purple #9)

Parting Wings is the 9th required technique to obtain your purple belt in Ed Parker’s American Kenpo. Parting Wings is a defense against a two hand push from the front, placing it in the Pushes category of the Web of Knowledge as well as the Pushes Family Group in the family groups Striking division.  This technique can be found in Long Form 3.

In this technique the environment and/or insufficient time dictate that you cannot move to the outside of your opponent’s arms.  With your choice of action limited you must learn to act quickly on the inside of both of his arms.  Your timing and Angle of Execution of your first move are of utmost importance.  If your hands travel from Point of Origin, you will have sufficient time to find the correct Line of Entry under and through your opponent’s hands.  The wedge formed by your hands and arms should part as far as your Outer Rim, thus insuring that your opponent’s hands will pass outside of your shoulders.  You have not stopped your opponent’s forward momentum, but you can Borrow that force if you quickly Round the Corner with your right hand.  Since you can anticipate impact upon contact, you should brace the angle of your strike with a solid forward bow.

Defense

Parting Wings – defense for a high two-hand push.

• Step 1
  • Step back toward 6:00 with your right foot to form a left neutral bow stance,
  • Simultaneously deliver a left and right extended outward block to the inside of your opponent’s wrists.
• Step 2
  • Pivot counterclockwise to form a left forward bow stance,
  • Deliver a right thrusting inward (palm up) handsword strike to your opponent’s left floating ribs,
  • Your left hand cocks near your right ear.
• Step 3
  • Pivot clockwise to form a left neutral bow stance.
  • Deliver a left outward handsword strike.
  • Your right hand cocks at the center of your chest in a middle knuckle fist position.
• Step 4
  • Pivot counterclockwise to form a left forward bow stance.
  • Slide your left hand down your opponent’s torso,
  • Deliver a right vertical thrusting middle knuckle fist strike to your opponent’s solar plexus.
• Step 5
  • Left front crossover and cover out toward 4:30.

Additional Information

Name

The term wings in American Kenpo represent the elbow.  In this technique you use your wings (double extended outward blocks) for the purpose of parting your opponent’s arms away from your body.  Thus the name, Parting Wings.

Attack

In the ideal phase, your opponent is directly in front of you (12:00).  He steps forward with his left foot while delivering a two hand push toward your chest or shoulders.

As previously discussed a push should be intercepted before making contact if possible.  In the event a push like this made contact you could be knocked off balance, knocked to the ground, shoved into another object all of which can cause injury

Considerations

• What if …
  • your opponent’s right leg is forward
  • your opponent doesn’t commit full power into the push (body weight, momentum etc..)?
  • your opponent pushes low?
  • you are unable to step back?

Related Techniques

• Scraping Hoof (O-11)
• Shield and Sword (P-16)
• Flashing Wings (B-3)
• Twist of Fate  (B-16)

Historical Notes

• In the 1975 Accumulative Journal, Parting Wings is purple belt technique #10.
• The 1975 Accumulative Journal indicates 5:00 as the angle of departure.

Historical Versions

1975 Accumulative Journal

PARTING WINGS (front two-hand push)

1. With feet together, drop back (to 6 o’clock) with your right foot into a left neutral bow as both of your hands chop out (like two extended outwards only using an open hand) to inside of opponent’s wrists (forcing opponent’s arms out). Make sure that both hands are parallel in height as well as in depth.
2. Shift (in place) into a left forward bow as your right hand chops to opponent’s left ribcage (palm up) simultaneously cocking your left hand to the right of your face (palm toward you)
3. Shift back (in place) into a left neutral bow as you deliver a left outward chop to opponent’s throat (palm down); cocking your right clenched fist to your right hip.
4. Again shift (in place) into a left forward bow as you drop your left arm horizontally (with palm still facing down) and shoot a right middle knuckle fist (over your left arm) to opponent’s solar plexus.
5. Drop back into a left neutral bow, left front crossover and cover out to 5 o’clock.

Notes

Variations