Red J

Well said. So from our thread, how many of you are breaking balance in your first move in your defensive sets? Is it something that is stressed at first or saved for advanced students? In my dojo this concept is constantly evolving with refinements of technique coming at each new level. Just when you think you know something, my sensei will add that little bit to make it better.

No, but I think that size and location play into the "Tacky" factor. For example, the back of your head may not be a good place if you decide to go into banking, but if you are a outlaw biker you could get away with it. It all boils down to personal taste. You are the one who has to live with it. I have been kicking the idea around for a while but haven't been able to commit. Maybe one day or maybe not. Post that picture when you get it.

I would start with a letter to the principal, cc to teacher, superintendent and school board members. I guarantee you will get results especially if you are seeing repeated behaviors that constitute harassment. Now for the martial arts. I would visit some schools in your area and see who has what you want. You seem to have a pretty good idea already and you want your son to be taught how to diffuse situations and have self respect. You just need to see what is available and appropriate for your son. Good luck.

We do a lot of crane/frictional pulls which work like you describe. Not a grab, more like a hook and yank. And it generally pulls him into your simultaneouse strike. Key is to do the moves sharply and forcefully, and anchor the elbow of the pulling arm. We call this a "Dragon Trap". It starts with a left knife hand parry and wrap followed by the right hand wrapping below (closer to you) and pulling.

OK, here's another technique. When doing a trap of the arm, you are first taught to execute the trap. Later you are taught to draw the arm into you (one direction), then either down or up (I like towards the my hip being down and two directions), and across (again the hip works for direction 3 as well. So you trap, and manipulate balance in three different directions resulting in an off balance opponent. These techniques can also be used to "spring" you into the opponent with tremendous power. I hope that you can "see" a version of this technique as I am having a tough time putting this into words. Any other techniques that you want to share?

I also like this tech however I prefer to use a little more power than what most would term a "check kick" Me too.

Asics. I just picked up a pair of the Medalist closeouts on Eastbay. I love them.

One of my favorite opening defense moves is a "check" kick to the knee, thigh, or hip (depending on the attacker, size, and type of attack). This immediately takes the attackers balance and places it from over his feet to a position where his hips are back and his head and upper body are forward. From this position the attacker is extremely vulnerable and the counterattacker can finish with a variety of options.

OK, from what I've learned from my training and the training of other kempo enthusiasts is that a reoccuring theme is that of breaking your opponents balance within the first defensive movement and subsequent movements until you have won that front. The principle here is that if you own their balance you own them. How does your system look at this and give one example of a technique that you like to use to establish the balance war in your favor.

Give yourself a break. With 2500 posts in two months, you will get you there in 80 months. That's only 6 and 1/2 more years. Patrick, congratulations on running a quality forum!

I am familiar with the strikes and mentality of "Tiger", but what is the essense of the "Bear" step?

Well, Shaolin Kempo emphasizes the 5 animals of Kung Fu when thinking of mindset and techniques. The animals are tiger, leopard, crane, snake, and dragon.

Well, we work from standup to the ground, knees to the ground and just from the ground. We also have submission matches. The groundwork is more than just adapted techniques from our standup. The coolest thing that we do is have what we like to call "Kempo" sparring. You spar with your opponent and can do anything from our four areas of hands, feet, felling, and grappling. This can get exciting as people try to fight from their strengths while exploiting other's weaknesses.

We could do this at the first Karate Forum Annual Convention! I think that for the Hawaiin born systems there are more simularities in the basics than there are differences. The real issue as I see it, will come when we start the talk of principles as this is the meat of many kempo systems. Basics are the foundation but it's the understanding and application of principles that will bring us together for some great discussions.

We call this a "fighting" stance and everything is simular except that the front foot is less than 45 degrees, pointed more toward your opponent. The posture is identical and something that I constantly work on. I find that when tailbone and spine are correct, my techniques and self defense moves (we call them kempos) are much easier and more effective.

I think that Josh puts out a video a month. He does a good service to the community.

Running 3 times a week. I usually do 4-5 miles 2x a week followed by a long run of 6-10 miles on Saturday or Sunday. I'm currently preparing for my black belt exam and a half marathon (13.1 miles).

Good generic answer for the masses! I believe that most of the systems that use Chinese or a Chinese name associated with Kempo, are merely emphasizing that influence in that particular style.

Hence why many kenpoists have Ch'uan Fa as a system or reference in their lineage. The Chu'an Fa subsystems and references usually have more of the Chinese elements in it, while the kempo subsystems have Okinawan influences. My system has both influences with pinans and animal forms.

Grappling! This is one of my favorite areas. Shaolin Kempo recognizes grappling from standup and on the ground. The basics are from Ju-Jutsu, and Chin Na. The founder (Villari) put this in as part of his system. At my school we have weekly groundwork. Since many of us have wrestling backgrounds, we eat this stuff up. As in other systems it is all instructor dependent if they want to emphasize this. Luckily my instructor is all over it. We also have a bit of ground experience from some of the senior members. Its good stuff and part of our advanced curriculum. Grappling is even part of the advanced tests, so yes it is emphasized and recognized.

'Tis our goal. Thanks for adding to the thread.

OK, we seem to have a good base of kenpoists so lets get going. Delta1 and myself have been kicking around the idea of finding a "home" forum. Since we do not have one ourselves we will be using the "karate" section. There may be more in the works, but for now we are here. To start off please post your kempo style and lineage. We will be adding topics soon for all to respond to. I practice Shaolin Kempo. The lineage is Villari, Cerio, Pesare, Gascon, Emperado, Chow. You will notice that most Kempo systems came from the Chow lineage and split into either west or east coast styles. Shaolin, which has heavy Kajukenbo influence, is a predominantly east coast style. BTW, don't get hung up on saying kenpo or kempo, I think we all will know what you mean and will respect your choice and style. Who's next?

I'll have to try the Cliff shots as I am a big Cliff bar fan.

This sounds like one of those "mind over matter" tests of will. Follow Rich67's schedule, and don't forget to take off those 4 days to recover. You will be so pumped at your test you are going to amaze yourself. Good luck.

That's great Coco, but remember that Rome wasn't built in a day, and either are great champions. My main point is that when you push your body it needs rest to recover. Keep up the good work and keep us posted.