Well I have to side primarily with Kenpo Yahoo here in that he approaches the technique from the attackerÂ’s perspective and examines intent first by asking the right questions. He states:
” . A Full Nelson serves as either a means to pick you up, fold you over, or hold you while someone else kicks the crap out of you.”
I might also add that it may be used to “move” or transport you to another rather immediate although secluded location, or to a vehicle with the possible assistance of additional attackers.
With this in mind, now we must determine how the assault will occur, and determine how to do what we call: “Survive the Initial Assault.” This includes, from a Sublevel Four Kenpo Perspective a mandate that the technique may not be practiced as an “attempt” under any circumstances.
There are those that suggest you should be “ready” and circumvent the attack before you are grabbed, but of course this precludes you from learning any extrication skills, which is the purpose of the exercise. I am not advocating that in reality you should wait to be grabbed, but to do otherwise in training is to practice swimming without getting wet. When the water hits your butt, it’s a completely different story. While it is true when you arms are down it is more difficult to apply a Full Nelson, anyone experienced enough to try it will probably utilize additional mechanisms to cause you to raise or lift your arms enough to make the attack possible. One that I have seen used on the street is a “friendly” slap to the back of the head causing a person to instinctively “shrug” their shoulders and bend their head forward raising their arms.
This technique also comes under the heading of what I call “Mugger Huggers.” This is important because the one element rarely accounted for in these techniques is assailant Body Momentum. Attacker’s move aggressively and surreptitiously to place you in a “full nelson,” therefore their body momentum is a factor. It was suggested further you must regain your balance first or forget the rest. This too is quite correct. When you are “bumped” you must move immediately to Survive The Initial Assault by:
1. Absorbing the momentum.
2. Regain/retain your balance.
3. Re-align your body creating “Positive Posture.”
4. Misalign your attacker’s body creating “Negative Posture.”
HOW this is accomplished must be physically taught. All of these things, once completed, will place you in position to counter the assault. If you cannot perform these four functions than you will in all probability fail to “Survive.” A note that “grabbing the fingers” is an almost impossible task because, when the nelson is applied properly, strength and mobility is removed from the arms and hands.
Next comes more specific footwork that I rarely have seen used, but was taught to me by Mr. Parker for this situation. The footwork is specialized and is called “Splitting and reverse Splitting.” When incorporated into this technique it resembles a “hop straddle hop,” or “jumping jack” movement. I in particular would like Mr. Billings to explore this in his interpretation of the technique.
When a “Mugger Hugger” attacks you and Body Momentum is factored in, stepping to one side without additional mechanisms becomes counter productive and virtually impossible to do and retain/regain balance.
Then the suggestion to:
“… straighten your back and kick your head back hard, roll your shoulders forward and fire your hands …”
I find quite correct, although the proper methodology must be physically taught as part of the “Survive The Initial Assault” component. The hands should go straight downward in front of the body, “rolling” and torquing your fist as if executing twin “inverted vertical punches” finishing with your thumbs pointing toward you, etc. SubLevel Four Kenpo Interpretations.
When executed properly, a person will be unable to sustain a full nelson assault with skeletal manipulation and alignment, even when you allow their hands to come together on the back of your neck.
11. SCRAPING HOOF:
ATTACK: Starting from behind your attacker at a moderate distance, bringing BODY MOMENTUM, quickly grab and apply a full nelson.
1. SURVIVE THE INITIAL ASSAULT of the full nelson and execute an OUTWARD SPLIT as you double punch or finger whip your attacker's face back over your shoulders.
STUDY PARTNER: This action will cause you to loosen your grip, and turn your head and lean backwards to avoid additional strikes.
2. Then REVERSE SPLIT as you thrust both of your fists toward the ground to break your attackerÂ’s grip, and PIN his arms to your body. With this action, straighten your knees, back, and neck into a full upright position and backward head-butt your attacker's face.
STUDY PARTNER: This action will cause you to completely loose your grip, force your hands down, and they will be pinned to his body with his arms. The head butt will stun, as you are pulled off balance unable to move from being misaligned. PAUSE
3. Reach under his left arm and over his right and PIN both arms as you grab your attacker's right wrist with your left hand palm down.
STUDY PARTNER: This action will lock you to his body and you will be unable to move when it is done properly.
4. Turn your hips so they face toward 1:30. Then deliver a right back heel thrust kick to your attacker's left inner knee and plant with a PAM toward 1:30 in a forward bow. STUDY PARTNER: This action will severely sprain your left leg and cause your hips to move to the left. STOP PAUSE
5. Move your left foot to 1:30 into a forward bow stance. SLAP-CHECK BAM your left shoulder as you pivot back toward your attacker into a neutral bow facing 7:30, and strike the bend of his upper forearm with a right hammering fist, and BRUSH your forearm forward and down toward 6 oÂ’clock..
STUDY PARTNER: This action will cause you to place all your weight on your right leg as your arm is driven downward, bringing your head down and turning to your right.
6. Pivot immediately into a right forward bow stance toward 7:30 as you execute a right outward elbow to your attacker's head, pulling your attacker's right hand with your left hand SEIZING the FIRE-RING.
STUDY PARTNER: This will force your head to your left and your knees to buckle, as your height, depth and width are controlled
7. Now punch into a forward bow stance to 1:30 and continue your momentum and cross out with your right foot to 1:30 and cover out facing your attacker on guard, and ALIGNMENT PAM your forward foot.
Timing & Breathing Signature: 12 P 34 P 5,67 C
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Ripping on fingers will work in almost any situation & don't forget finger thrusts to the eyes.
