Martial Arts Of The World - Webs

gers as claws, which were taken from a Hawaiian self-defense art called
Lua. The hammer-fist technique uses the bottom of the fist as a striking
surface. From combat experience, especially in no-holds-barred street
fights, the founders learned that the knuckles could easily be broken by
punching. The “chopping” hammer-fist strike saves bare knuckles from destruction
while permitting powerful striking against a downed opponent.
The cross-cover refers to the technique developed after Joe Emperado
died in a barroom brawl on May 30, 1958. An unidentified assailant
stabbed Joe from the rear in the kidney just after he finished defeating an
attacker in front of him. Kajukenbo started practicing the way of stepping
away from a downed opponent called cross-cover at that time. The crosscover
technique was angular footwork designed specifically to prevent
backstabbing. One exits from a single-opponent encounter at an angle, and
so pans 180 degrees of vision to take in possible attackers, before crossing
over and panning another 180 degrees of vision to assess what threat remains.
This allows safe engagement against other opponents.
Describing its use in self-defense may capture the principles of Kajukenbo
best. Practice incorporates methods for both single combat and
combat against multiple opponents. The objective is to intercept an opponent’s
attack, such as a punch or kick, then trap the arm or leg with one
hand and smash it with the other, causing immediate damage and pain to
the attacker. The opponent is then taken down to the ground, usually by
sweeping or throwing, where follow-up attacks with striking and locking
techniques are used. These are systematic, intended to break joints and
damage vital organs. Afterwards, the critical space or “turf” of the downed
opponent is exited, usually by passing by the head to avoid getting tripped
or grappled to the ground. The exit path facilitates further confrontation
against other opponents. Against multiple opponents, the single combat
techniques are applied for “overloaded” situational attacks, as for example
when partway into a prearranged self-defense sequence another attacker
joins the fray. These practice sequences are called waza (Japanese; tricks).
Kajukenbo has specialized training methods that are designed to work
in reality fighting. For example, the method labeled “ad-libs” refers to
thorough pounding and striking of a downed opponent. They are done in
freestyle following a takedown. When one is swept or thrown to the
ground, the tendency is to curl up into the fetal position. There are “canopener”
techniques designed to break an opponent’s covering in order to
strike vital areas. Low-line kicks to the spine and kidneys will cause an
arched back, exposing liver, heart, and spleen to striking. Strikes to the
knees will drop the legs, allowing groin strikes and step-over footwork. Kajukenbo
is playing pool in the sense that one shot is designed to set up another
until a practitioner can “run the table.”
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