delta1

OK. I worked this a little mor tonight with a couple of partners. Turning the head not only gives you that deep pocket to penetratr into, but it can open up some other interesting targets as well. The wide kneel I found did not so much square you up as it improved you angle of incidence in some cases. Also, it gets you down in a better position if he bends too far over. Both are great changups. Thanks for the info.

If you two are in the LTKKA, you are in one of the best! I've corresponded directly with some of the Tatum crew, and I have to say they are knowlegable in the system. There are a lot of different ways of teaching most of these techniques. In fact, Mr. Parker taught different versions to different people, as AK was meant to be adjusted to fit the practitioner. Whatever base method you are taught, learn it in the Ideal Phase with all the checks and chambers that don't seem to make sense. Later, those become more of a flow through rather than a distinct move. An uninformed observer would not even know they were there. A lot of times, those points are also places where you might have several options, or where you may have to change up to deal with his attack. For example, as you uppercut that left check may have to parry or block a strike; or, if he turns away, it may have to simultaneously strike his shoulder to keep him in position. As you progress through the What If and Formulation phases, you will become more proficient at different variations. For example, the strike to the neck after the uppercut is good to cause pain and stun him as you move to the crane. But the strike done to the collar bone is good if he's a little out of position and you need to square him up some. And if your position is off a little, the wide kneel discussed earlier might be good to square you up a little. Learn it his way, as he's trying to pass on some of his real world experience to you. Just understand that these techniques were meant to teach practical use of basics, principles, and concepts. They teach us to move correctly under the force of a violent assault. They are not meant as a rote response in the Ideal phase, which is why we have borrowing, technique flow, and the Formulation Phase of learning. They teach you an intuitive method of thought as much as anything.

Well, you show an attitude of respect and a good understanding for 16. Stay with it, and never loose that attitude or the sense of awe in the art! Also, you have some good instructors, as well as the sense to listen to them. Feel free to pass on anything they tell you!

Mr. Rick Fowler is, as far as I know/have heard, a well respected Kenpoist. I have one of his tapes, and his Kenpo looks good (though I'm sure it wasn't as Mr. Parker taught it to someone ). Some things were a little different, but workable. The main thing is that he stayed within the framework of sound principle and concepts. If he's teaching that, he's teaching good Kenpo. parkerlineage- I actually belong to, and study with, the AKTS and the IKCA. IKCA is labeled Chinese Kenpo, though it is Parker based. They do a few things different, but have a good system overall. I'm about 2 1/2 hrs away from my AKTS school, so I do private lessons when I can. But the IKCA can be done by video (though it's better with an instructor). But it keeps me from getting stagnant in between trips, as well as giving me a different take on Kenpo.

parkerlineage, thanks for the info! I had not considered turning his head to enhance the target, but you are right- it is effective. Not only gives a deeper pocket (localized open triangle) to strike into, but relaxes those muscles as well. Pretty effective! I'm going to have to play with that wide kneel some. Sounds like an interesting option. By the way, good to have another AK poster here! Sounds like you have some experience as well! The Kenpo & Kempo people here are sort of a sub culture, but the rest of them put up with us.

Glad to hear you are ok!

Thanks, Whitey. I was right, I'd never use it, so I'll pass and let someone else have a go at it. Thanks for the offer though, Patrick.

Yep! They make dandy pets! We don't name the tornadoes, though. Just rope 'em, ride 'em, and send 'em on up th' alley! Hope it works, bro.! But, doesn't your style of Kempo teach avoidance?! Seroiusly, hang in there and stay safe (or as safe as possible). Same with Jerry and any other Floridians out there.

Check out any of the Kenpo/Kempo systems, and you'll find you are wrong. There are many others, also. Muay Thai is an excellent fighting art for sport or street, but I wouldn't say it is a complete practical street defense system.

Thanks, GGG. But it won't come up. I'll try a search later.

WW, true enough. But he survived because he got active and got evasive. If the guy is going to do you regardless, you have nothing to loose by trying. Still, rooting for a lawyer is like rooting for the Oakland Raiders...

What's a GMail? I'd sign up for one, but since I don't know what it is, I'd probably just keep someone that could use it from getting one.

Good advice! I don't know anything about ASE Kenpo, but check it out. They advertise as a practical self defense system. If it is a practical EPAK school, they will spar and often with different levels of contact. CHeck to see if they offer some form of grappling- either as a seperate part of the carriculum or extrapolated from the stand up techniques. EPAK, as SS said, is from the same basic family, and bears many resemblances to Okinawan Kenpo. Both have a lot of flow, but EPAK has more hard moves, generally. Tracy's is probably much closer to Okinawan systems. They are all flow. Their problem is (in my opinion) that they have little understanding, and their emphasis on flow sometimes detracts from techniques that were not designed to be used with uninterupted flow. The Tracy's started with Ed Parker, but left to more aggressively market the system long before it was complete enough (according to Mr. Parker). They did incorporate some Okinawan and Chinese forms intom their system after they left, but again without a good understanding of what they were doing.

Sorry to hear of your loss. I agree with White Warlock that you shouldn't let anger consume you over this. But it is difficult for me to even hear of it and not get angry, and there will come a point for you in the grieving process where you will become angry. My advice is to accept it and work through it, and try not to get hung up in it. Anger will only destroy you if you don't work through it. My condolences to you, his family and other friends.

Ang I thought trouble had a way of finding me! Seems to get downright creative about it in your case!

Hello k.c. I can barely get on the computer to talk to anyone, and I'm from Eastern Washington (North on SR17 into the REAL beautiful Washington). What's a seattle?

JL, very true, and it is up to the practitioner to be aware of this and train as though these were unprotected. But not protecting these when stick fighting, even with padded sticks- but especially when going live stick- can lead to some seriously bad injuries. This brings up another point: most stick fighting is done with padded sticks. And that hurts enough. You really couldn't take too much live stick (the real deal, no padding). But when you do go live stick, or watch someone else do it, you notice that the combatants don't take nearly as many chances. Both are good, but you need to be aware of the differences and not develope bad habbits. Training in the martial arts allways has some trade offs in order not to hurt each other too much. We have to use our intelect to get as close to reality as possible, and not take unrealistic chances because we have padding or limmits on moves. Or, put more succinctly:

A lot of the TKD schools in my region also train Modern Arnis. It adds flow (which TKD as taught in the US lacks), as well as an excellant weapons system. We are also fortunate to have some excellant FMA instructors scattered around the state, not the least of which is Datu Kelly Wardon over in Seattle. I go to their seminars and train with them to get a better understanding and add a new deminsion to my base (Kenpo). The FMA's are extremely adaptable as well as effective as stand alone systems. Downside- there is a tendency to fall into the trap of trying to keep your opponent at bay with your weapon instead of going in for the kill. This is a common problem with TKD and their emphasis on kicks, so you should make an effort not to get hung up there in two systems (actually, you should be careful not to get hung up there in either system, as TKD actually has some good in close skills). The other thing that bothers some people is the sparing. If you think it hurts to fight empty hands with hard contact, try it with sticks! But it is a lot of fun. The headgear and gloves are a little expensive, but they are really the only protection you need. They make a full body suit specifically for stick fighting, but the only people I've seen wear one is kids.

I've been in some class situations in other systems where I was cefinately more knowlegable than the instructors. I could pick out the principles in their own moves, and was better at extrapolating different applications. But I still learned a lot in those classes. If you assume you are intellectually superior and don't listen and learn, you'll soon find yourself the least knowlegable person there. Furthermore, these guys showed me a thing or two on the matts, where it really counts. Doesn't matter how smart you are there... can you apply your knowlege?! Learn from their experience, and if you really are that smart, dig deeper and build on what they show you. But don't go in with a superior attitude and try to teach the class. Also, White Warlock: you leave my pspellin' alone!

No, I've only heard of things like this. It's sad, really. But HAT'S OFF to you for standing by your principles in what had to be a tough and embarassing situation!

Thanks again, ZR! Man, what a guy .

ok-ok, i was sitting on th... never mind. Point is, Iwas thinking deep thoughts. One of the common topics when martial artists talk is why black belts often get their butts handed to them on the streets. Even if you discount the McClowns who ordered theirs at the fast belt place, it happens often enough. And, the question we allways ask is, "Why?" I was reminded of something from my long gone youth. I was a distance runner in school, and a pretty good one. I ran the mile in the 4.20's, as well as Cross Country and the 2 mile, and competed off and on in other distance events. But I was out with a street friend, a tough kid who smoked like a chimney and only really moved fast when he was in trouble. Any way, we were running for some reason (don't remember why ), and I was having trouble staying with him! This was a shock to my system, let me tell you! How?- why?- What th'... The answer is simple. From a cold start, in street clothes, without warm up or mental preparation, and in his environment, things were far different from what I'd trained for. I eventually settled in and passed him.But, had someone been caught in the early stages of our "exercise", it would have ben me! The analogy to martial arts should be obviouse- if you plan to use it in the real world, you'd better train under real world conditions. Otherwise, you may find yourself loosing in a situation where there is no catching up! Gotta go. I feel another thought comeing on!

Thanks, ZR. I guess the supermodel with a Ferrari and flowers is belated too? Been waiting, but she hasn't got here yet...

Well, with some of the *^#@ grapplers I've met, it ain't too hard to remember!