Travel Wrench Key Ring Instructional DVD Synopsis
by Patrick Burke
The Travel Wrench Instructional DVD is an introduction to the use of the Impact Kerambit Travel Wrench designed by Kelly Worden. The DVD can also be utilized by the beginner or advanced student as a primer for connecting different martial systems into one smooth flowing system of individual self defense. Aside from focusing solely on the travel wrench, the Travel Wrench Key Ring Instructional DVD can also help improve tactical efficiency of any self defense tool (improvised or otherwise), as well as improve efficiency of unarmed self defense tactics.
The DVD begins with a series of different street attack scenarios played out against an average middle-aged non trained civilian. Using basic maneuvers with the DVD information and travel wrench, the civilian is able to thwart his attacker and escape unharmed. The Travel Wrench could easily be replaced by any number of other improvised tools such as a small mag light flashlight, marker, or pen.
For the Purpose of this DVD, Datu Worden chooses to emphasize impact weapons rather than edged tools. Worden shows the viewer the possibilities of self defense with a range of different self defense impact tools, including short hand sticks, kubotans, keys, belts, chains, ropes, canes, sticks or batons. All using the same basic form as taught for the Travel Wrench. Citing the expression that “Wood(impact weapons) seeks Bone, Steel (edged weapons) seeks Flesh”, he makes it clear that we have to be conscious of the level of escalation we are prepared to allow a situation to increase to. An impact weapon has far less repercussions than edged weapons legally, ethically and karmatically.
Defanging The Snake
Beginning with Filipino idea of “Defanging the Snake”, he demonstrates the technique of deterring aggression by ‘attacking the tools that are attacking you’. When we remove the weapon of our enemy, we remove the threat he poses. In some demonstration of this principle, Datu stop-hits an opponent’s attacking arms with the Brush Grab Strike maneuver. Striking the incoming wrist, passing the attacking arm away, closing in to strike various targets such as the elbow, wrist, jaw, temple, or leg.
Trained viewers will notice that Worden cross-references different martial styles such as Karate, Muay Thai, Wing Chung, Tai Chi, and most notably Arnis, in his explanation of body mechanics and striking. Worden’s style of NSI or Renegade Jeet Kune Do leans more towards Bruce Lee’s original credo of“Take what works, leave what doesn’t”, taking elements from other styles that match individual body shape and speed, rather than the Standard Formal training of traditional Jeet Kune Do. It is in this spirit of connectivity between styles that allows the concepts and techniques used with the Travel Wrench to apply to other self defense tools.
Deployment and Acquisition
The next section of the DVD addresses acquisition and deployment of the travel wrench. Worden demonstrates three styles of striking using the wrench; Straight Vertical Punch, Straight Horizontal Punch, and Hammerfist. Notably absent was the Hooking Knuckle Punch which has significant force when using this tool. The Travel Wrench can also be used to train in experienced strikers proper ergonomic alignment when punching, as hand alignment when using the tool places the majority of the force correctly on the first two knuckles of the fist. Addressing issues of legality in carrying a self defense tool such as the travel wrench, Datu Worden offers a number of less conspicuous uses, such as minor wrenching, hand massager, and keychain.
Basic Principles
Moving to basic defensive/striking technique, Datu introduces The Plus Sign +, The Corner to Corner X, and the Kali Triangle as diagrams for defense and striking. From a neutral, non threatening posture, he demonstrates basic blocking of single attacks, and return strikes from various angles using the plus sign diagram as his guide. From there, Datu Worden adds a second attack defense from another angle following the former drill, making note of how little force is needed to inflict damage to the wrist or neck with a Hammerfist Strike while holding the wrench.
A typical Travel Wrench defense would be as the Uke stabs towards the abdomen, a Downward Hammerfist Block and Live Hand Check of the attacking hand. When the Uke swings a secondary strike, an Outside Hammerfist block of a secondary attack, and counter-attack strike sliding down Uke’s arm to jaw or temple. A control or lock from the checked/trapped limb may be an option to follow.
Plus sign parameters include the 4 points of the Plus Sign Defense against 4 areas of attack. 1) downward vertical block against groin/abdomen attack , 2) outside horizontal block against right side collarbone/ side/ribcage attack , 3) inside horizontal block against left side collarbone/ side/ribcage attack , 4) upward vertical block against an attack to the top of head.
The Plus Sign Diagram is useful in it’s simplicity of quartering the upper body into targeting sectors. Centerline dictates rotation of the body, while the horizontal line dictates access to other areas of the body structure, as any outside strike would have to cross the centerline horizontally.
This leads to the introduction of the Corner To Corner X targeting diagram. Whether in a Jab capacity or Slashing, Quartered plus sign torso targeting can be accessed by the Corner to Corner X striking. The figure 8 motion, both upward or downward, can be utilized with the Travel Wrench, Bladed Weapon, or Stick equally.
Support Strikes
In this section Datu introduces basic unarmed techniques for use when deployment or acquisition of a self defense tool is impossible. Starting with some Chinese style Chi-Sao push/sticky hands, he demonstrates a technique of slipping your opponents guard to a number of different strikes. A thumb into the eye, palm to nose, or forefinger to thumb webbing against throat are a few examples. Other natural “tools” we can utilize for striking include:
-hammerfist
-elbow
-heel palm
-finger jab
-trap & check
-Ridge hand strike
-knife edge hand strike
He moves onto some defense against a choke, which include: pressure down on the arm, slapping the elbow, collapsing the knee with a kick, slipping the choke and following through with an elbow to the head. From here, Datu Worden covers basic crossover elbow striking drills and introduces Kicking as a low base disruption, that can also break a choke.
Ethics are briefly addressed, with emphasis on responsible use of martial skill. Whether to use a single direct attack to negate hostility, or to counterattack with a series of attacks or combination. In self defense, we do not wish to be seen as the merciless bloodthirsty party in the altercation as opposed to the victim we started as. Knowing when to escape safely is an essential skill in training. Datu also points that a circular motion from 12.00 to 6:00 on the clock diagram, in either direction, is the appropriate motion for passing or slipping an opponents energy. More attention could have been given to this important area.
Footwork
Weight distribution between different stances is shown in a percentage ratio 50/50 in a neutral horse stance, 60/40 in the standard fighting stance. Worden shows the importance of proper footwork and body mechanics in striking and defending. Examples include rotation while striking, and stability while kicking.
Plus sign footwork drills are outlined, with and without sticks as a guide. As well as corner to corner footwork drills and parallel stick drills. Sensitivity to your surroundings is stressed. We live in a concrete culture and must be aware that we will meet concrete if we are caught unprepared. Gravel, Potholes, Bottles, and Chairs are all terrain in urban combat.
Base Disruption
The Foot Trap, Knee/Shin Pressure, and heel kick outs are introduced in this segment of Base (balance) Disruption. Balance is a key factor in combat as loss of balance causes temporary distraction in a fighter, leaving him open for any combination of strikes, controls, or locks. This idea is demonstrated through a number of applications on the DVD.
Brush Grab Strike
Introducing some more traditional FMA concepts, Datu Worden addresses the Brush Grab Strike pattern or defense and response. Essentially, a stripping of the initial strike energy and replacement of hands, the Brush Grab Strike motion is just that- Brushing away an initial attack with the lead hand, Grabbing the attackers arm or weapon with the secondary hand to retain contact and control, and Striking one or more targets with the open hand before utilizing any further locks or controls. The Brush Grab Strike motion drill is called “Dika Dina” or “Chain Hands” in the Philippines, and is practiced with a partner to increase the players sense of tempo and flow in striking and responding.
In the DVD, Worden demonstrates the use of the Travel Wrench with the Brush Grab Strike motion. Deploying the wrench during the Brush, stop-hitting instead of grabbing, and following through to various targets for strikes. He introduces the Wing Block/Bong Sau style of blocking and passing an attack, as well as a drill with a figure 8 style Brushing and Grabbing with the lead hand.
At the end of the drills, Worden demonstrates the use of some non traditional neutralization of aggression through unorthodox self defense striking when cornered such as Eye Gouging, Head Butting, and even Biting an attacker to achieve temporary windows of opportunity. Effective, though reserved for high threat situations.
Natural Flow
In the final section of the DVD, Datu Worden emphasizes the need for the player to utilize his existing repertoire of skills into one natural flow of movement. Adding to techniques is always favorable, however using your most easily accessible “tools” well is the key to successful self defense. Keeping your backpack light, so to speak; carrying what you need most. Knowing one hundred ways to block a strike is useless if you cannot decide on one to use in the time of need.
As Repetition creates Natural Response, those movements you practice the most during training will be your natural response in a fight when instinct takes over. Flowing from one strike to another, one control to another, from strike to control and back to strike during practice will make those transitions easier when they are needed in a pinch.
In closing, I find the DVD useful to both those players who wish to supplement traditional training systems into reality based application, as well as those renegade practitioners walking a broader path of integrated systems. The Travel Wrench Key Ring Instructional DVD is a solid introduction and practice tool for the martial artist of all levels.
