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50 Ways to Apply An Arm Bar

By Jon E. Belcher  

Well, maybe not 50, but there are many ways. Mr. Parker always stressed how it was better to use a small vocabulary well, than to use a large vocabulary poorly. He would say "if you know 100 techniques and can apply each of them one way, you have 100 techniques, but if you know only 50 techniques, yet can apply each of them 10 different ways, then you have 500 techniques!".

I chose the arm bar to work on this concept because it's a popular technique for most Kenpo practitioners. We'll use the arm bar as taught in "Crossing Talon" for a model. Working on the opponents leading arm (from opposing stances) with your lead forearm at the opponents elbow, and your rear hand grasping the opponents wrist (pulling to your rear hip).

In every one of the following 12 attacks, the arm bar you apply will be identical. The only thing that changes is the attack and the way you maneuver to apply the arm bar. For the sake of brevity, the individual application notes will be kept short. Refer to the individual techniques named for greater detail on how each application begins.

1.CROSS GRAB OF RIGHT WRIST (the way it is taught in "Crossing Talon"). Stop at the arm bar.

2.CROSS GRAB OF LEFT WRIST. The same as #1, but on the opposite side.

3.DOUBLE WRIST GRAB, opponent directly in front of you (I call this "Twin Talons") Cross your right hand under your left hand as you cross your right leg behind your left into a transitory left twist stance. Unwind from the twist and apply the arm bar as you end in a left neutral bow facing 3 o'clock.

a.Can also be done by reversing the direction (same attack)

4.STRAIGHT LEFT STEP THRU PUNCH from the front (like "Reversing Mace"). From a right neutral bow, after off angling and executing the double parry and right backfist to the opponents ribs, right step towards 10:30 into a neutral bow and apply the arm bar.

5.STRAIGHT RIGHT STEP THRU PUNCH from the front. The same as #4, but on the opposite side.

6.RIGHT STEP THRU PUNCH TO YOUR RIGHT FLANK (like "Backbreaker"). Step to 12 o'clock pivoting the right foot clockwise into a transitory right twist stance as you face your opponent and execute a double parry (left inward parry to a right outward parry / waiters hand check). Left step towards 3 o'clock into a left neutral bow with a left backfist to the opponents ribs. left step towards 4:30 into a neutral bow and apply the arm bar.

7.LEFT STEP THRU PUNCH TO YOUR LEFT FLANK. The same as #6, but on the opposite side.

8.LEFT STEP THRU PUNCH TO YOUR RIGHT FLANK (like "Reversing Mace"). left step back and off angle towards 7:30 while executing the double parry /backfist. right step to 12 o'clock into a neutral bow as you apply the arm bar.

9.RIGHT STEP THRU PUNCH TO YOUR LEFT FLANK. The same as # 8, but on the opposite side.

10.RIGHT STEP THRU OVERHEAD CLUB ATTACK (As taught in "Obstructing the Storm"). Stop at the arm bar.

11.RIGHT ARM (or both arms) HOLDING A GUN AT YOUR CHEST (like the first move of "Twisted Rod"). After the left step towards 11 o'clock into a left neutral bow while off angling and executing a right outward waiters hand parry at the opponents right wrist, execute a left backfist strike to opponents ribs. Immediately left step to 1:30 and execute the arm bar.

12.RIGHT ARM HOLDING A GUN AT YOUR BACK (like the first move of "Broken Rod"). After pivoting clockwise & off angle into a right transitory twist stance with a right outward waiters hand parry at the opponents right wrist, immediate left step towards 6 o'clock into a left neutral bow while executing a left backfist to the opponents ribs and simultaneous grab of the opponents right wrist. Immediate left step to 7:30 and apply the arm bar.

Note: The arm bar will allow you options for 1. disarming an opponent with a gun, knife or club, and 2. subduing an unarmed opponent without seriously injuring them, but what if the opponent has his arm bent and you cannot straighten it? When you step into the opponents arm at the elbow and attempt to complete the arm bar the possibility exists that they may anticipate the move and manage to keep the arm bent with the biceps flexed. If you realize you cannot complete the maneuver, simply step back with the opposite leg. By reversing your direction and using the principles of body fusion and backup mass you should now be able to straighten the arm.

One final thought: I'll bet most Kenpo practitioners could come up with additional ways to apply an arm bar. Apply your creativity and see what you discover. This approach to expanding your vocabulary will help bridge the "what if" gap from "Ideal Phase" to "Formulation".

Mr. Parker said "Kenpo is a living language (like English), not a dead one (like Latin), so it's constantly evolving". That said, it is important when you "make up" a new technique not to violate the concepts and principles of motion that make Kenpo work. If you're not sure, ask for help from a senior rank.

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