Shaolin Kempo Karate Self Defense Techniques

Shaolin Kempo Karate uses a system where beginning students are taught a variety of prearranged self-defense combinations. The system has over 100+ combinations.

Listed below are the first 20 techniques. These combinations usually focus on defending against an attacker using a straight punch. Nevertheless, they can also be practiced for self-defense against kicks and different hand strikes. Check with your instructor for the exact scenario used at your school.

Self-Defense Combinations

1. Draw back into [L] cat stance and [L] monkey parry, step in and hook [L] arm over opponent's right arm, [R] inside tiger rake, [R] crane to jaw, [R] leg hock and [R] hand grips neck & push for take-down, [R] downward thrust punch, [R] downward knifehand strike.
2. Slide [L] foot in and pivot to face left side and [R] brace block, slide [R] foot out (to [R] in horse stance) and [R] side back punch, shuffle to [R] then [R] side elbow, [R] hand sweep, [R] downward (or driving) knifehand.
3. Step in with left foot and [L] inside block, [R] low thrust punch to groin, [L] hand grabs shoulder, [R] back punch to face, [R] hand grabs opposite shoulder, pull towards the rear taking opponent to the ground, [L] downward thrust punch.
4. [R] step back and [R] upper block, redirect downward then [R] tiger rake across face, [R] round kick to chest (opponent falls to ground) then cross [R] leg over left, [R] axe kick to groin, jump and land over opponent's head, double immortal man to eyes, double tiger rake upward, [R] then [L] downward thrust punch, [R] stomp kick, cross cover.
5. Slide [L] foot in and pivot to face left side, [R] crane block with a [L] hand guard, slide [R] foot out (to [R] in horse stance) and [R] side back punch, [R] side kick, cross cover.
6. Lean slightly left (to get out of line of attack), [R] front kick, cross cover.
7. Step out to [L] (into bow stance), [R] side kick, cross cover.
8. [L] outside knifehand block, [R] front kick to [R] round kick, cross cover.
9. [L] outside knifehand block, [R] front kick to [R] round kick, [R] shuffle side kick, cross cover.
10. Step back w/ left leg and [L] upper knifehand block, [R] spearhand to groin, [L] arm wrap and [R] knifehand to neck, turn to the left and [L] step back to horse stance (taking opponent to the ground), keeping hold of arm execute 2 [R] downward knifehand strikes, jump up and pull on trapped arm (dislocating shoulder), let go upon landing and execute a final downward knifehand strike.
11. Step back w/ right, draw into [L] cat stance and [L] low parry block, [L] step in and [R] trigger finger to eye, [L] hand sweep opponent's right leg and [R] elbow to hip to take opponent down, hold & lock the leg, step over w/ left leg (turning opponent onto their front, keeping hold of leg), pull up and push hips forward (breaking the leg) then drop it, turn over [R] shoulder and execute [R] stomping kick (step down into horse stance to opponent's right side), [R] then [L] downward vertical punches, [R] stomping kick then step over, turn over [L] shoulder then [L] axe kick to head.
12. [L] circle block to left corner, [L] front kick at same angle (step down to bow stance), [R] turning back kick, [L] front kick to same angle.
13. Use belt to block & redirect to right, [R] punch to groin, bring [R] hand up and wrap opponent's neck w/ belt, turn to [L] and pull opponent to ground, rip belt up w/ [R] arm (releasing from neck) then whip back down striking opponent.
14. [L] knifehand block, [R] scissor kick.
15. [R] step forward into twist stance and [R] ridgehand block, [L] step in (into horse stance) and [R] downward knifehand (redirecting opponent's arm), [R] upward ridgehand to neck, [L] turning ridgehand to back of head while stepping around w/ right leg (to horse stance, taking opponent to ground), 2 [R] tiger rakes across to inside then outside, [R] downward elbow to [R] downward hammerfist.
16. Grab opponent's arm with both hands (right hand at wrist, left hand at elbow), [R] front kick then step back to [L] bow stance, pull opponent's arm down while pivoting [R] into horse stance, keeping hold of arm, step over w/ [L] leg (trapping arm between legs), quickly turn hips to left (breaking arm), turn over [R] shoulder and [R] hook kick to head (land in [L] bow stance), [R] vertical punch to temple.
17. Draw back into [L] cat stance and [L] tiger trap, step in and double tiger claw ([R] claw to groin, [L] claw to face), hook [L] arm over opponent's [R] arm, [R] knifehand to neck, step back w/ left and pull opponent to ground (keeping [R] hand pushing on neck for leverage), [R] then [L] downward vertical punch, [R] downward spearhand.
18. Draw back into [L] cat stance and [L] low parry block, [L] step in and [L] backhand to face, grab back of neck and pull down while stepping back w/ left leg, [R] downward elbow to spine, [R] lower hammerfist to temple.
19. [L] upper knifehand block, [R] front kick (land in [L] bow stance), [L] hand grabs head and pull down, [R] downward elbow to spine, replace left hand w/ right pressing head down, hook [L] arm under opponent's right arm, pull & flip opponent over toward right (take-down), [R] knifehand chop to neck.
20. Step in w/ [L] and [L] double knifehand block, [L] arm wraps opponent's right arm and [R] knifehand to neck, step back with left and take down (using [R] knifehand for extra leverage), [R] downward thrust punch, [R] downward spearhand.

Reference Sources

1. Information kindly provided by Sensei Kristalyn, http://senseikristalyn.blogspot.com, Added - 01/02/17