The optional press can only be used during the current round.
100850
Grasp of the Python
Grapple. Only usable at close range.
Strike: hand strike, with 1 optional press, only usable to continue combat.
As above, and if another round of combat occurs, that round is at close range (skip the determine range step for that round) and strikes that are not hand strikes cannot be used that round (by either combatant).
Rulings
Once the range is set, no other effect can be used to reset the range that round, but other pre-range effects can be played afterwards. Skip the Determine Range step for that round.
If another effect was already setting that round's range (e.g. Neutral Guard), that effect has priority.