delta1

First, think of his likely autonomic reaction to the uppercut. He's likely to bend forward, at least a little. The purpose of that step is to get you out of the way so you can take advantage of this reaction. Your left is still up from the finger thrust to his eyes, checking his head as well as any strikes. It is a short move to the outward handsword to his mastoid, and then sliping to a crane of his neck. That step gets you out of the way as you crane him down, and sets you up for the stance change that gives power to the crane and makes this technique work smoothly. The foot position for the step depends on how your system practices this technique. I believe Tracy's still does it as a rear twist, while most EPAK schools do it as a right forward bow with the step to 4:30. Go back to your basics and practice the stance your system calls for, and you'll be in good shape. You may have to make small adjustments due to body positioning, varriances in reaction or build of your opponent. But that will come in the What If and Formulation phases of learning the technique. Get it down in the Ideal Phase now as a step into a good stance. Another thing that might help is to think about what else this stance does for you. A full twist, as in Tracy's, gives speed and flow, but has the drawback that if he bends too far forward and grabs, you are not in a stable stance to deal with it. But a forward bow with the left leg straight gives you max stability in the direction of his force.

Sort of to continue on the answer RedJ gave you, you learn the basics, learn the principles and concepts used, and practice, practice, ... ! It will come. And you will get over that habbit of chambering, if you practice enough. In fact, the chamber will eventually become foreign to you. It just won't feel right.

Focus first on quality- how well it protects, how it feeels and how well you can move. Next, consider price. Then, if still faced with the choice of solid color or bullseyes, get the solid. You can then use duct tape to mark specific targets that you wish to train for, and change as your requirements change or as you want to concentrate on working different targets. Or, get a reversable protector.

Disagreement noted- and you are correct! I'm thinking here in terms of carrying one for self defense, and possibly having to use it against an experienced knife fighter. Also, lessons cheaply learned and skills easily attained are not generally appreciated. To actually use a knife in combat is a lot different than going through the motions in training. When faced with having to seriousely injure or kill someone, and worse when it's kill or get killed, a lot of very upseting things start to happen both physiologically and psychologically. And the effective use of that knife in combat requires a lot of high stress, scenario based training. Heck, just selecting a knife style that suits your fighting style, that feels natural to you, and a grip that works with any style grip, and that won't slip from a sweaty or bloody hand- that alone takes a lot of experience. Then, there's the carry. Anyone carrying any weapon for self defense would be well advised to spend many hours perfecting thei carry position and deployment under all possible conditions. Won't do you any good if you fumble the draw, or if you don't know how to protect your deployment under a sudden, seriouse engagement. So, yes, you can very quickly train someone to use a knife. But, to carry and use one effectively requires considerably more training. Further more, after reading some of your other posts on this topic, I'd be really surprised if you don't take this aproach to your own knife training. I'm guessing you are thinking here of specifically learning the moves and concepts in a fight, while I'm thinking of a much broader training venue. Correct? Or off in the Ozone again?

Fillipino Martial Arts and American Kenpo. FMA's start you with sticks, which represent edged weapons. As you advance, they translate the stick moves to empty hands. American Kenpo starts you with empty hands, then as you advance the same techniques are translated to knife. Which is best? I'm partial to Kenpo for it's effectivness, but the FMA's are one of the most fun to learn, and are very effective in their own right. If you have either in your area, try them out and see if you like it. But you aren't going to learn eithre fast enough to use it in the real world with your narrow back-side on the line. And, if you go into any decent class and tell them you want to use it on someone, they'll show you the door. Also, going at a bunch of street toughs with a knife is asking to get it used on you. Even if you win, you're going to jail with all their friends. Sometimes, you just have to take your lumps and move on.

Yes, we've discussed this before. As I said then, it isn't whether he can take on an adult, but whether he has a significantly better chance against kids in his age bracket. Even then, I prefer to see a junior rank awarded than full rank, especially black. But I am not willing to force my views on others. Persuasion, yes, but not coersion. Because, guess what- if I can do it to them, it can be done to me. And there are more of them than there are me and you. And power hungry beaurocrats aren't afraid of the McBB's- but they are terrified of competant martial artists (or anything else competant for that matter), and your school will be closed long before the McJerk. I understand how you feel. But regulations, outside the voluntary regs involved in joining a particular association, are not the way to go. Laise faire! Laise passe!

Simple answer- YES! More complex answer- DANG TOOTIN! My opinion- they are extremely effective and easy to learn, including the spining version. They also work as a block, a check, or a clearing block. They can be used in ANY direction, and reversing their motion gives you two strikes for the time and trouble of one.

Taiji will improve any martial art you do in any area you can think of. However, the principles and movements in Taiji are completely different from hard styles of martial arts. AMerican Kenpo has a lot of Tiaji principles in it, but actually studying Taiji is like going to another solar system, it is so alien in structure and form. But most importantly, doing Taiji incorectly can cause you seriouse health problems. First off, it is extremely hard on the joints in your legs and feet, especially the knees, if done wrong. There are also internal problems that can develope if you do it wrong, especially with some of the breathing postures and meditations. I recomend Taiji, especially Taijiquan fa, to anyone studying any martial art, at any level from begginer to Master. But I allways recomend studying with a competent instructor.

I, and most of those who post here I'm sure, agree wholeheartedly with you. But, without a governing body with some kind of authority, I don't see how you will get everyone on board. We already have voluntary associations, but the schools with the golden arches just find or form associations that allow their low standards. I believe we make some difference by standing up and speaking out in both these forums and in our community. But the McMA's will not usually listen. They prey on those who want the easy recognition. Frankly, there is a good side to this. They keep the midget clowns from wasting the time of better instructors, who would otherwise have to waste a lot of effort qualifying and getting rid of the wannabe's. And, a lot of people enter the martial arts in a McDojo, find they like it, but want more than they are getting there. True, some leave with a bad taste in their mouth for the martial arts. All you can do is be there, be up front but not confrontational in your views, and show them that there is something better available. They either try it, or they don't. ASk yourself, do you really want the ones that don't? And the ones that do come to you more or less pre-qualified, and with an attitude that they want to learn. They also have some experience and exposure to the MA's. Find the good and work with it, instead of leaving the definition and application of good to a bunch of at best mediocre beaurocrats and regulators (which you've said you don't want, but I guarantee are allways waiting in the wings to take advantage of the attitude of forcing standards on everyone). The free market system works well in many ways and on many levels. It, like every system involving people, has some flaws or problems. But it is the only system that allows those who want to to excell. And no system can make those who don't want to to do better.

I AM really BAD! (with the washer and...) SS, putting restrictions on what another school or system can do regarding promotions sounds like reglation and control to me. And it would require some beaurocracy with authority to discipline in order to impliment. Have you ever seen a beaurocracy that did not expand it's influence and power, as well as abuseing it? You probably run a quality school, and have standards, judging by your posts and obviouse knowlege here. So, I can see how the lack of standards in other schools (which reflects on what you do in others minds) bothers you. But the regulation trap is a proven slippery slope, and you as the competant instructor will end up at the bottom of that slope!

NO!!! Much as I agree with you about not giving a 10 yr old a black belt, I believe less in controls, regulations and restrictions. That is where the real abuses would come in. How about this- if you relly want to get away from the stigma of McBelts, throw yours out and train for the fun of training. I happen to be one of those superior snobs that doesn't care about belt levels. Mine's gray, matches my ghi.

Best wishes to y'all. I've been through tornadoes, and they were bad enough. But hurricanes- no thanks!

We don't usually smell that good!

47mm, it's simple. Technically, they are the same. But most of the Japanese and Okinawan systems use the 'm', while most Hawaiian and Parker based systems use the 'n'. It's just a convention, not a rule.

I think you'll find that Kenpo moves a lot better than Shotokan, but also that it will help you to modify your other systems to move more effectively also. If you want to improve your Kenpo, I suggest Taiji. Not only improves your flow, but gives you a whole new way to look at your techniques. Mr. Parker studied Taiji, in addition to many other arts. I think that's where many of his philosophies and applications came from.

There are similarities, and a lot of differences. The big differences are soft moves and flow in Kenpo. Shotokan, as well as TKD, can be softened. But you really have to go way outside their conventional thinking to do it. Eventually, Kenpo training will show you how to do that. Flow is one reason Kenpo doesn't train to allways chamber, or pull back. When you do chamber, you'll find in Kenpo that you don't just reverse the motion and strike. Usually, you flow right through that chamber (after you initially learn it in the ideal phase as a chamber) and you do something very evil to your opponent, very rapidly. Kenpo doesn't think of a chamber as a ready position to strike from. It is there either to clear your arms so they don't interfere, to add circular power, add options, add unpredictability, and because some motions naturally flow through that position. But, it is never there to draw back before a strike. Never do what you will have to undo- it telegraphs as well as leaves you open, and takes longer too. Look at the hard contact JMA and Korean schools. They don't do those chambers when they spar. Dijita once posted some pics of Kyokushin tournaments. They were closer to Kenpo than traditional JMA's! I've fought contact TKD stylists, and they are definately more towards Kenpo than the sport or traditional schools. Another thing about the chambered punch, you can hit harder from a good guard position than from a chambered position- and it doesn't telegraph, is much quicker and more accurate as well. You just have to pay attention to your principles and form, and relax a little. Edit: since there are a lot of new posters here, let me say that I'm not dumping on traditional systems. The 'old timers' will tell you that I've allways maintained that there are many reasons to take martial arts, and what is right for one is not for another. Take this in the context that we are talking about a reality based system, not a course in 'the way'. Also, if Shotokan and TKD can be modified and trained as a fighting system, so can most others. And I've been put away by enough TKDers, and one Shotokan practicioner, to underestimate them when they train to fight. But in all cases, they were way outside the prison of dogna and tradition in their application.

Type_o, what level are you in Kenpo? Do you mean purple with blue tip? What is your association? I recomend training in or with as many systems as you can find that are willing to train with you, but not necesarily joining their class. Work with them, then bring everything you learn back to Kenpo. You'll probably (almost allways) find the same or similar moves in Kenpo, but you have to think outside the box. By the way, the same is true for many martial arts systems or styles, and the process works the other way also. Find a kenpoist and work out, then take it back to your base! If you do want to join another school while working on Kenpo, I recomend a ground fighting system, if you are interested. It is a whole lot easier to see the ground applications in Kenpo, and you'll make a lot fewer painful mistakes, if you have a good understanding of ground fighting going in. Talk to your instructor, as many Kenpo schools also offer grapling curses. (I decided to leave the typo- Freudian slip, I'm sure! ) If there are enough students interested, maybe he'll be willing to find a good grappling instructor and hold classes once a week or something. Another idea is for him to find a grappling school and offer a recriprocal agreement for discounts if enough students want to cross train.

You are doing the IKCA system. Are you doing it by tape, or at a school? Most Parker Kenpo systems and schools have no problem with, and in fact encourage, your bringing past experience to the system, or going out and cross training. What you'll find is that, usually, Kenpo becomes your base and everything else is either grafted onto or subsumed under it. In the tapes,you are first instructed to kiai. Later, they will in your private instruction, teach you to substitute a low, rolling growl. (Don't ever tell whitewarlock that, though, as I once kidded him unmercifully about that!) Also, look at other things in your past training. Look for principles in Shotokan, and how they apply to Kenpo. Look for similarities, points of convergence, divergence, and confluent areas in both systems. It will greatly improve both your Shotokan and your Kenpo. Good journey!

Warning- you are sounding a lot like that delta1 character! I just talked with a senior kenpoist, who gave a term to this type of thinking. He asked me to explain my philosophy to the martial arts. Among other things, I told him about training with other stylists, then looking for similarities, differences, how Kenpo aproached similar situations, how we countered, and for similar motions and points of confluence in the systems. With this aproach, you are not learning a few more cool techniques, rather you are getting a better feel for your base. His reply was "You aren't cross training, you are cross referencing." I thought that summed it up nicely. Pretty impressive that you've come up with a similar thinking, especially for a non-Kenpoist!

Required class! Test at end of flick!

Vito, true, and not true. That thinking is usually more a misunderstanding of other style than anything. Sort of like the side on guy that says the MT or boxer guys are allways open up the center because they are too square. Neither of you are taking into account how quickly the other can move his center. In your case, you might pivot to close center as you leg check, or step to any direction to move the target as you counter strike. And, more importantly, you control the line that runs from your center to his, the central line in some systems. In the case of the guy that fights side on, if he is too much so I'd agree with you. Or if he is in an unmobile stance. But at 45' he can pivot as he punches, getting a lot of speed and power as the trailing hand comes suddenly into battery at the same time the strike is launched. He can step to any angle as he strikes so that he is more square as the strike lands. He too is controling that central line, suddenly putting the opponent at a disadvantageous angle while he is in a dominant angle, all weapons in battery while the other is limmited. Both of you have solved the same problem the same way, but from polar concepts.

Russian rollin', twistin', and some poundin'. Grapplin'.

Guys, don't be too literal. Of course there are some moves that can not be applied full out, even with a suit. There are allways some areas that you will have to adjust your intent so as not to hurt your partner. The point is, if you are training for reality, try to make some of your sparing as realistic as possible. And, there are ways to practice even the most deadly of moves. If you fear that you can not safely adjust your intent with a particular move in full sparing, try it in slow sparing. Not as good as testing it in full speed sparing, but at least you are working it in free-flow, with a somewhat resisting partner. You get to see the openings develope, and get somewhat of a feel for it. My opinion is that the 'it's too deadly' argument is usually an excuse. Since Kano whupped up on the Jiujitsu folks, it hasn't really been a valid argument any how.

The trick is to concentrate on principles and concepts, not just a cool collection of moves.

You don't do that? Yes, that is what I meant by going immedately into the advanced phases of shock. You've worked with this before, I believe. But most people don't realize that there are several phases of shock, and you can be in seriouse trouble before any of the signs of shock show. But when someone goes immediately into the latter phases, where signs are obviouse, he's in seriouse trouble. Especially with hypovolemic shock (shock due in whole or in part to blood loss). You are likely to get cut in a knife fight, true enough. But, there are ways to minimize the chances of a really seriouse cut. Exposing the inside of both your forearm and upper arm to the possibility of a seriouse cut is not one of these, in my opinion. And if you loose the angle that that pin depends on to work, accidentally or as a result of a counter, you are in trouble no matter how solid that pin was. Again, I'm only suggesting you try this before training it into an automatic response, and judge for yourself. I'm not saying KM or any other system that uses this is worthless. I don't know. But I cringe when I think about the possibilities here...