Hawkins' Blog

Vee Arnis Jitsu vs. American Kenpo: A conceptual comparison

2008-01-24T02:21:00Z

Earlier today I posted a link to a Vee Arnis Jitsu interview on AmericanKenpoForum.com. I mentioned that when I look at Vee Arnis Jitsu I see “Easy Practical Applied Kenpo” or EPAK. An “old friend” of mine from NY apparently read that, watched the clip and gave me a call. My friend is a Vee Arnis Jitsu practitioner. At any rate the extent of the conversation was a comparison of VAJ t o AK. My friend was under the impression that the Checklist and “10 commandments of self-defense” mentioned by Shihan David James were nowhere to be found in the base system of Kenpo. A little history of the “friend”: This person is a former Kenpo practitioner who became disillusioned at a few of the local Kenpo schools in Baltimore. They ended up moving to NY for business purposes and “converting” to VAJ based on its “superior practicality” to American Kenpo. So here is my conceptual comparison. Disclaimer: Results may vary with instructor and location.

State of Readiness: This is described as being ready for the situation. In Kenpo this falls under 2 parts of our cycle of considerations, acceptance and attitude. We must accept the possibility that danger exists and possess the attitude to do something about it: A state of readiness.

State of Explosion: This is described as when you decide to do something, do it explosively and without hesitation. In Kenpo this falls under Explosive Action and Explosive Pressure: Using aggressive action that keeps constant force on an opponent, thus preventing him from getting set and retaliating.

State of Control: This is described as controlling the individual through three steps. Interrupt the vision, interrupt the breathing and interrupt the balance. The Kenpo systems techniques are already formulated with this in mind through many concepts and applications. Most simply through actively striking the eyes, throat and lower carriage. On another level we utilize Zones of Obscurity (blind spots), Object Obscurity (blinders), Control Maintenance (sustained pain compliance holds), Control Manipulation (maneuvering opponent off balance or to a strategic position) and Control Release (takedowns, creating distance after engagement).

The 10 commandments of self-defense

Evaluate the Situation: This is covered in many ways in Kenpo. For starters it is ranked #2 or #3 in the cycle of considerations depending on where you learned it. It is defined as being cognizant of everything in you, on you and around you. A known Kenpoist, Clyde O’Briant has coined an acronym ARMM (Adjust Regulate Monitor Modify) as an application of Kenpo’s equation formula to combat. Another useful acronym is MACE (Monitor Act Control Escape) utilized by myself.

Three Foot Rule: This is defined as the space where a person can realistically harm you and vice versa in VAJ. In Kenpo we cover this with several concepts not least of which is the “four ranges of combat” concept: Out of Contact, Within Contact, Contact Penetration and Contact Manipulation. We also cover this in more specific ways with the Dimension Zone Concept, Zones of Sanctuary, Quadrant Zone Theory and Outer Rim Concept.

Start from a Non-threatening Manner: This is covered very simply in Kenpo. The vast majority of the self-defense techniques start from an attention stance with the hands in one of two places: down and hanging naturally or up framing the face in the “I don’t want to fight” posture. Technique Examples would be Piercing Lance, Circling Windmills and Intellectual Departure.

Control the Focus – Eye to Eye Contact: This is #1 or #2 on the cycle of considerations and falls under attitude. Attitude is defined as not only the psychologically status of the individual in conflict but also their physical posture as well.

Motion causes Motion – Biomechanics: The entire system of Kenpo is founded on this principle. Each technique, motion, strike or manipulation causes a range of possible reactions and through training we become conditioned to these reactions. We become able to read and anticipate these reactions as well as capitalize on them through follow-up maneuvers.

Element of Surprise: Strike when the opponent is not ready. Professor James demonstrates talking to the aggressor and then striking mid-sentence. In Kenpo we term this under a few headings. Most notably: Purposeful Compliance, Purposeful Defiance, Zones of Obscurity, and Angles of Opportunity. Technique Examples would be Triggered Salute and Lone Kimono.

Strike from the closest point: If you haven’t learned this yet and are passed yellow belt immediately seek other instruction…you are being misled. This is covered in Kenpo under economy of motion which is most often mentioned as “using smaller circles” and “closest weapon to closest target”. I’ll take this further. It’s using the smallest EFFECTIVE circle and using the closest EFFECTIVE weapon to the closest EFFECTIVE target. A punch to the top of someone’s skull from an inch away with a baby circle is not economy of motion because it is not effective.

Changing the Focus: This is defined as getting the opponent to stop focusing on you so that you have the opportunity to use your techniques for the purpose of disabling the threat and/or escaping. Again this is covered by utilizing Pain Compliance, Object Obscurity, Explosive Pressure, Zones of Obscurity and Sequential Flow.

High and Low Concept: This is described and demonstrated as striking the opponent in high zones and low zones with some degree of alternation. We utilize this in Kenpo by breaking and/or canceling the height zone along with the width and depth zones. In short it’s part of our Dimensional Zone Concept and utilizing Diversified Targets. Technique Examples would be Detour From Doom, Five Swords and Delayed Sword.

Faster Forward/Slower Backward: This is described as the defender utilizing constant pressure on the opponent to get them to back pedal. This takes advantage of the fact that human beings are not designed to walk/run backwards and cannot see behind them to coordinate their steps. This is again covered in Kenpo’s concept of Explosive Pressure along with Cancelling the Depth Zone and Occupying the Opponent’s Space. Technique examples would be Attacking Mace, Circling Fans and the freestyle techniques.

Hopefully this gave you a gist of Kenpo as compared to another noted and effective self-defense art Vee Arnis Jitsu. On a side note I wholeheartedly agree with these commandments of self-defense. If you are not learning ANY of them at your Kenpo school….seek other instruction immediately, you are being misled.

My Personal Martial Journey: An Application of the Principles of War

2007-09-22T01:08:00Z

When I first began martial arts it was in 1986. I was 6 years old and wanted to learn it because it looked fun and amazing. I trained at a school that did a little of everything....TKD, Kung-Fu, Ju-Jitsu, Kickboxing, etc. As I became older my motivations changed. I still thought it was fun and looked cool, but now I also wanted to be able to handle the bullies. As I got even older (my early teens) I decided the best way to beat the bullies was to bully the bullies. I got into (and instigated) lots of scuffles with the local hoods. I won some and lost some but got enough "rep" to not be messed with "on da regular". At this time I talked to my grandfather and my father (who both served my country and grew up in the ghettoes of Baltimore and Virginia) about fighting, war and combat. They both mentioned to me "the principles of war", but it never really stuck. Probably because I like details and they just mentioned them...they didn't explain what they were.....they left it for me to find out. I started Kenpo Karate in 1998 (about a year or two after my grandfather passed) and saw an article in Black Belt magazine on applying the principles of war to martial arts. Again, the principles of war came up. It didn't fully hit me though until I put it together with MMA. I'd lived in the ghettoes of the city with the nations worst murder rate, been in countless fights, been shot, been stabbed and seen countless fights, assaults, muggings and a few mur...you get the idea. But most of these were by untrained people. MMA gave me regular exposure to trained people fighting it out with techniques I was familiar with and it just opened my eyes so to speak. Something flipped in my head and it all made sense combined with what my dad and grandpa told me. A "little voice" told me.... "Fighting/Self-Defense is a war. Your life or the life/lives of those you care about are the spoils of this war. If these spoils are valuable to you then follow the principles of war like you follow the principles of martial arts. So my motivations changed again...looking good wasn't even a factor now so out went some of the more outlandish stuff I did in TKD and Kung-Fu. Those 540 degree spin kicks I used to do? Forgotten. Kenpo and Ju-Jitsu became my moniker to reflect the path and arts I was choosing to carry me through the wars ahead. But what about those principles of war? Well I applied them and continue to do so. This is my personal journey ....may you find benefit in my sharing part of it with you....

MASS - Applying sufficient force to achieve the objective.

Well, mass involves force. Force, as in sufficient force, is often determined by the size of the object relative to its acceleration from a physics standpoint. When I was ranked to 1^st Black in Kenpo in 2000 I weighed 138lbs. I had difficulty with guys over 200lbs who were also skilled. Why? Because they had more mass to use to achieve the "sufficient force" they needed for their objectives. A mere 200lb man had 60lbs on me. That was 43% of my body weight. This didn't account for the strength that often accompanies that extra bulk. I applied this principle by changing my workout routines, my lifestyle and my diet. I now hover at about 190lbs (I'm only 5'7") instead of 138lbs. It's not all muscle (if I "cut up" again I'll drop to about 180lbs) but much of it is. Now the 200lb guys that gave me trouble only have a 10lb advantage. That's only 5% of my body weight. I managed to increase my speed, instead of decrease it, with the increase in weight as it took me a while to get to this weight (about 6-7 years of slow growth). So for striking I have more mass for that F=MA formula that is quoted so often. The increased weight has also increased my inertia which makes my base more stable and makes me harder to move around (not even counting the leg strength increase). Also for the Ju-Jitsu side of things all of the locks, chokes and holds are based on leverage. Leverage is nothing but a force/weight multiplier on the physics side of things. The more force you can put in the more you can get out....exponentially. I'm heavier and stronger so I have more force to apply to the levers my Ju-Jitsu technique creates. I can now better utilize the MASS principle of war for sufficient force by using the increased mass of my body to make it easier to generate sufficient force as well as increase the maximum amount of force I can generate. There is another added benefit as well. When I was growing up there was a joke that went around about loving thick women because there was "more cushion for the pushin'". Well, "more cushion" applies to combat as well. I have more durability due to the increased natural armor (muscle and the accompanying increase in bone density to support the extra muscle weight and tensile strength). Blows that hurt like hell back in 2000 don't even register as much now. A 38% increase in body mass will do that for you. That's why pro fights have weight classes. Size and strength matters. Think of techniques as the vehicle...you've got to have the fuel or in our case attributes....things like size, speed, strength, agility, flexibility, coordination, timing, etc. In short I started actually conditioning my body besides just toughening my striking surfaces.

OBJECTIVE - Define a decisive and attainable objective for every military operation.

I talk about this when I teach constantly. When I ask people what their desired objective is in a fight/self-defense scenario they always answer in the same ways: "I want to defend myself", "I want to prevent him from hurting me", "I want to finish the fight". I tell them this is akin to saying "I want to win the war". This just states the obvious and doesn't cover the important aspect of HOW they are going to win the war. HOW is the objective. For my personal Kenpo (personal in the sense that it's what I do not necessarily what I teach) my attainable objective is to get to the opponent's neck/spine. The reason for this objective is that it offers varying levels of finality as well as a nearly unmatched point of access to and control of the opponent's body, position and reactions. My personal Kenpo is trained to be able to get to this target from any position against any attack. This is the objective for me. This is my roadmap to finish the war. I don't merely want to defend myself. I want to defend myself by getting to his spine/neck. I don't want to prevent him from hurting me. I want to prevent him from hurting me by getting to the control point his spine/neck offers. I don't want to finish fight. I want to finish the fight by getting to his spine/neck. My objective has two prime components; Finality and Specificity. I know exactly what I want to do and I know that when I do it. the war is almost certainly over. Also, like any military objective there are secondary objectives that lead to the primary objective. These objectives can lead the way or be bonuses depending on how the battle goes. My preferred secondary objective is to gain control of an arm. The reason being is that the arm is 1) a control point in and of itself, 2) is also a weapon and 3) is almost always presented by being utilized to strike, grab or employ a WMD (Weapon of Man-made Design). By seizing it I have seized a major weapon and a major control point. This control point also just happens to serve as a nice path to the final objective...the neck. This is how I train to win the war and I train it constantly and consistently. As long as I live my attackers will be human, they will have necks and their necks will provide varying ways of ending the war. My road for every war is specific and final to increase my probability of surviving and winning the war.

OFFENSIVE - Seize, retain and exploit the initiative.

Offensive. Defense is great; it will delay the enemy from achieving his objective(s). However, offense is final. Offense is what allows us to use the mass we have worked on to achieve the objective we have set. For my personal Kenpo I am offensive minded, and NO I don't mean I always strike first or intend to. My defensive movements are adjusted with an offensive purpose in mind. I don't block much in my personal Kenpo. I parry a lot to lead the opponent into positions I find favorable while increasing the extension of his weapons. This increases his reload time while at the same time extending his defensive capabilities beyond the effective range of defending my final objective...his spine. When I do block, I block on angles that inflict damage and/or maneuver the opponent into positions of advantage. My blocks are almost always "striking parries". I favor parries because of their yielding nature (Ju-Jitsu). It factors into another principle that will be discussed later...actually a few. Now that we've covered offensive defense let's step into the realm of offense. When I strike, I strike decisively. When I grab and manipulate I do it decisively. Decisively in the sense that none of it is arbitrary or based on mere target availability, it's target availability with a purpose. All offensive strikes, holds, locks, etc. serve the purpose of either A) advancing me towards my final objective or B) completing my secondary objective en route to my final objective. Also each offensive maneuver is trained to lead into the next so as to press the advantage I've gained. Each move I make should not only advance me closer to my objective but it should also make it increasingly difficult for my opponent to regain his initiative. This is where the manipulation aspects come into play. The "Strike! Strike! Strike!" mentality or the "Always use Kenpo's Kinetic Impact" mentality allows the opponent too much maneuverability to regain the initiative and restart his offensive should our blows not have the desired effect due to missing the target or not generating enough force. If he is free to move, he is free to recover. When I grab, I prefer not to let go. It's a constant grab-hit-grab-hit....and each grab is not a mere grab, it's a grab with a purpose. It's a lock, a choke, a manipulation, a push, a pull. If I check it's with an ACTIVE check. My checking hand is doing something. There is no room for mere "positional" checks in my personal Kenpo or at my level. Cancelling a zone to prevent his maneuverability is only momentary, especially with strikes. Manipulations have a much greater duration of effect and offer more options for regulating and escalating the force as well as changing to a new option should one fail.

SURPRISE - Strike the enemy at a time and/or place and in a manner for which he is unprepared.

Surprise is getting the opponent with something he is not ready for. The way I personally approach this is by having a variety of tactics and angles for acquiring my primary and secondary objectives. Therefore, I have a myriad of techniques. I have the Kenpo, the Ju-Jitsu, The Kickboxing, etc. I believe in having as many tools on my belt as possible so that I am more likely to have the tool I need. I also train to have my tools interchangeable and inter-connectable so as to be able switch to them as the situation dictates. I train to strike from a variety of positions and postures. I train to grapple and manipulate off of positions where many people just strike from. I work on creating obscure zones to strike from to prevent the opponent from fortifying target zones. I work on creating damage from seemingly innocuous grabs. I work on transitioning to my preferred "key positions" from all other positions on the map (map being the opponent's body and immediate environmental area) and all conceivable angles. In this way I have a path of least resistance available in most situations as well as the option to "brute force" it up the path of most resistance since many aren't prepared for that. Throughout history there is always an arms race going on with countries developing new weapons and trying to conceal their capabilities from the enemy. In my personal war plan my arms race is learning as much technique as possible. My method of concealing my capabilities is by doing that which I have little intention of repeating. I strike to get to a grab. I grab to get to a strike. Pure Ju Jitsu guys often grab, to grab, to grab and pure Kenpo guys often strike, to strike, to strike. Part of the surprise is that I switch methods constantly on the way to the objective.

ECONOMY OF FORCE - Focus the right amount of force on the key objective, without wasting force on secondary objectives.

Remember what I mentioned about my primary objective and PREFERRED secondary objective? Remember where I mentioned that secondary objectives are bonuses? My objective is the neck/spine. I don't try to get the arm to get there. I want to get to the neck. The arm is destroyed if it is presented. I don't have to destroy every weapon on the map to complete my objective. If I can circumvent them to reach the objective then I will do that. But that's only part of it. My system of "parries over blocks" ties into this. I need the opponent to be in certain positions for me to do certain things. There are three ways to achieve this. He can move, I can move or both. Now of these three ways there are two ways it can occur...on my initiative or his. To stick with the offensive principle I would have to move him, move myself or both. The parries work on both. As I parry, I place him in the position I need to advance to the objective. At the same time I move myself to an advantageous position and load one or preferably several weapons. By parrying I allow him to discharge his weapon, increase his reload time, move his defenses away from my objective, improve my position on the map and load my weapon(s)....all while conserving the energy I need to actually apply the mass principle en route to my objective.

MANEUVER - Place the enemy in a position of disadvantage through the flexible application of combat power.

Remember the sections on parries? Then there is no need to repeat them as they were heavy on maneuvering. Another aspect of this is my own maneuvers. When I step, hop, jump, leap, shuffle, twist, turn, bob, weave, flip, duck, dive, etc. I do it with a purpose. The purpose needs to be offensive in nature. When I take evasive action it is still with the intent of improving my position on the battlefield (environment). When I back-step it is not merely to evade. It is to evade AND draw the opponent in AND get him to extend his defensive capabilities AND get him to create targets. This is all offensive as opposed to dodging solely for the sake of not getting hit. All maneuvers are trained with this in mind. Yet another aspect of this is manipulation via strikes or other methods. As mentioned previously each weapon/attack I expend has a purpose for achieving the objective. Often times the weapon deployed cannot end the war on its own. Therefore, it is used to maneuver the opponent the opponent into position for another weapon that is even more effective than the one before it. Weapons ARE NOT to be deployed to maneuver the opponent into position for a weaker weapon. Kenpo example: people using major blows to set up eye slices and flicks. It should be the other way around.

UNITY OF COMMAND - For every objective, there must be a unified effort and one person responsible for command decisions.

Simply put....focus. There is only one objective for me and I am the only soldier in this battle. I have to remain resolute in my obtaining of the objective and once the objective is seized it must be utilized by me immediately. There can be no waiting for backup to arrive, or allowing other thought process to intrude on my combat mindset. It's me, the war, the objective, period. When the threat is neutralized I must then look for a path of extraction that is again dependant on and decided by me. No other persons or thoughts are allowed to interfere. The targets are marked, the battlefield is examined, the objective noted, and the war plan is already designed. This is a solo mission, carry it out according to the plan, finish it, and go home to the spoils of war I mentioned earlier. Everyone has a plan until they get hit. Plans change, but the objective in this war remains the same...it is the surest way to a final, achievable and desirable outcome. It is the best way home for me.

SECURITY - Never permit the enemy to acquire an unexpected advantage.

We've discussed this before. Each movement, maneuver and/or attack made is to get closer to the objective WHILE AT THE SAME TIME increasing the difficulty for the opposition to regain the initiative for their objective. All preferred checks are active, "positional" checks are only in-between points of reloading. Zones are cancelled by manipulation wherever possible. Manipulations can transition to other areas with greater speed and efficiency than ballistic strikes can. The opponent is to be attacked in such a way that each attack 1) leads the way to the next attack, 2) clears the way for the next attack and 3) disarms or redirects the opponents attack options. Each attack should have a higher degree of success than the one before it. And by each attack I don't mean each strike or each lock. I mean each BEAT. There are often times where multiple strikes/holds occur on a single beat. Each beat is to make things tighter than the one before. The attack should be an ever tightening vice until the opposition is crushed. This is also why I prefer not to let go once a viable grab is secured. There is a reason why it is called SECURING a hold on something in the first place.

SIMPLICITY - Prepare clear, uncomplicated planes and clear, concise orders.

My plans and objectives have been clearly outlined. My tactics have been clearly outlined as well. For a recap the tactics are: Parry whenever possible, Manipulate to strike, Strike to manipulate, achieve "key positions" and control points, disarm/disable weapons ONLY when possible, disarm/disable weapons ONLY en route to the primary objective. My orders are simple: secure the primary objective by means of the trained tactics. My actions are all trained to create an intermeshing series of maneuvers all of which are multi-function. Therefore my movements, my objectives and my plans are as simple as possible. This is my Kenpo Ju Jitsu, this is the path I'm on today...tomorrow may be different....

Kenpo 5.0: an unbiased review and synopsis

2007-06-11T13:24:00Z

Kenpo 5.0. Is it worth it? Or is it just a gimmick? I was asked by a few people a couple months back to give my thoughts on it and I said I’d “wait until I viewed the set as a whole.” Well I have…several times. Here are my thoughts and analyses.

EPAK system (as I learned it) = 157 techs through 1^st Black (154 Infinite Insights plus Aggressive Twins, Spreading Branch and Intellectual Departure)

5.0 System = 146 techs to 1^st Black.

“Removed” Techniques (removed in the sense that they don’t show up on the belt charts but many are contained in the new or revised techniques)

Removed Techniques = 42 of 157. 27% “removed”

1) Grasp of Death

2) Intellectual Departure

3) Spreading Branch

4) Repeating Mace

5) Twisted Twig

6) Crushing Hammer

7) Captured Leaves

8) Charging Ram

9) Shield and Sword

10) Gift in Return

11) Bow of Compulsion

12) Twin Kimono

13) Sleeper

14) Cross of Destruction

15) Begging Hands

16) Hugging Pendulum

17) Repeated Devastation

18) Entangled Wing

19) Defying the Storm

20) Raking Mace

21) Returning Storm

22) Twist of Fate

23) Broken Ram

24) Squatting Sacrifice

25) Menacing Twirl

26) Circle of Doom

27) Broken Gift

28) Twirling Sacrifice

29) Cross of Death

30) Securing the Storm

31) Intercepting the Ram

32) Rotating Destruction

33) The Bear and The Ram

34) Courting the Tiger

35) Parting of the Snakes

36) Snakes of Wisdom

37) Marriage of The Rams

38) Circling Windmills

39) Reversing Circles

40) Unfolding the Dark

41) Piercing Lance

42) Escape from Darkness

Revised Techniques (Some techniques had minor differences from what I learned so I didn’t list them as they just seemed to be lineage differences.)

24 of 157. 15% revised.

1) Shielding Hammer – sequence change, infused Twisted Twig

2) Five Swords – attack change, added extension

3) Raining Claw – attack change, added extension

4) Glancing Wing – attack change and sequence change

5) Reversing Mace – sequence change, infused Repeated Mace

6) Sleeper – attack change, added groundfighting component

7) Thundering Hammers – attack change

8) Dance of Death – attack change

9) Locking Horns – sequence change, added groundfighting component

10) Scraping Hook – sequence change, infused Repeated Devastation

11) Flashing Wing – changed attack and angles

12) Flashing Mace - changed attack and angles, added part of extension

13) Destructive Fans – changed attack and angles

14) Circling the Horizon – changed attack and angles, different takedown, groundfighting

15) Thrusting Lance – changed sequence, introduces several knife methods of execution

18) Entwined Lance – changed sequence, takedown and groundfighting

19) Circles of Protection – changed attack

20) Circling fans – changed sequence, initial entry

21) Shield and Mace – changed attack and angles

22) Bowing to Buddha – changed sequence, new takedown, groundfighting

23) Falling Falcon – changed sequence, groundfighting

24) Circling Destruction - sequence change, infused Shield and Sword

New techniques = 31 of 146. 21% new

1) Charging Maces – offensive technique

2) Hammering Mace – offensive technique

3) Returning Mace – offensive technique

4) Thrusting Knee – tackle counter

5) Opposing Circles – tackle counter

6) Collapsing Wedge – tackle counter

7) Gripping Leaves – groundfighting from guard, tackle counter failed

8) Destructive Leaves – groundfighting from guard, tackle counter failed

9) Snapping Branch – groundfighting from guard, opponent tries to stand

10) Disappearing Mace – angle off switch versus punch, small circle to groundfighting

11) Twisted Wing – angle off switch versus punch, groundfighting

12) Collapsing Serpent’s Head – angle off switch versus punch, groundfighting

13) Tripping Branch – angle off switch versus punch, groundfighting

14) Broken Wing – angle off switch versus punch, groundfighting

15) Destructive Knee – takedown, groundfighting

16) Destructive Claws – takedown, groundfighting

17) Destructive Cross – takedown, groundfighting

18) Piercing Wing – Closed Guard counter

19) Circling Branch – Half Guard counter

20) Collapsing Branches – Butterfly Guard counter

21) Slashing Lance – roundhouse knife slash counter

22) Returning Lance – roundhouse/backhand knife slash counter

23) Gathering Branches – takedown from kneeling

24) Trapping Branch – Punch defense from kneeling, low single leg

25) Hacking Lance – Knife versus Knife

26) Scraping Lance – Knife versus knife

27) Trapping Lance – Knife versus Knife

28) Destructive Lance – Knife versus Knife

29) Crossing Lance – Knife versus Knife

30) Scissoring Lance – Knife versus Knife

31) Thrusting Leaves – counter versus double punch

From what I’ve seen having viewed the set from start to finish Mr. Speakman’s 5.0 is definitely worth a serious look. There are those that will say that a lot of the Techniques are missing by looking at the list but they would have to actually see the material to notice that many of the missing techniques show up elsewhere (I listed a few above).

I’ve voiced previously my misgivings about some of the ground material and that fact remains true. Some of what I would view as important details on the ground material are missing….many of them fundamental details. However…considering that many EPAK schools don’t even address the ground the 5.0 is a step in the right direction. It won’t beat an expert on the ground (in many cases) but it will at least get people familiar with it…and it’s decent enough material to counter the semi knowledgeable in that realm. All of the major ground positions are addressed as well as many of the simpler, common sweeps and several of the most common joint manipulations and chokes. If the purpose of these techniques is to introduce students to positions and concepts on the ground, then job well done. A healthy dose of various takedowns, leg locks, armlocks, transitions, reversals, and chokes are presented. BUT...the devil is in the details and some fundamental details are missing. What pleased me most was that it was addressed how to CONTINUE after a submission hold was used to break something or put someone unconscious. This material of how to extract oneself after the hold was used is missing even in many Ju Jitsu schools. “Submission is not a destination” is what Mr. Speakman repeatedly says in this set. Many people miss the boat on this point….even at grappling schools.

Mr. Speakman has also incorporated Knife techniques into the material. I got some mixed feelings about this. If Kenpo has a reputation of overkill then these knife techniques are the next step up. There was one technique where I was left scratching my head as it was just implausible. Short version: The opponent is stabbed and gouged in the throat, THEN disarmed, THEN has his throat cut from ear to ear MULTIPLE times…while remaining standing. Not exactly a logical sequence if damage is assumed. But I noted that all the cuts and stabs were different methods of execution. The techniques seem to be more of an introduction to the various ways to use and disarm a knife rather than actual workable sequences. Some of his new knife defenses have the same “issues”. How many times and ways are you going to cut and stab this guy while he remains in the same position? As an intro to knife disarms and uses? Great. Logical sequence that take into account the body’s reaction? Not seeing it. It’s like the body reactions to strikes are accounted for but introduce a knife and the opponent becomes “stone statue”.

Final say. I’ll give it my endorsement for what my endorsement is worth. IF this stuff is trained right then the students are going to have a working base on fighting from various ranges, what to do on the ground, what to do versus a knife and with a knife. Etc. The forms remained unchanged for those that are in the “change the techniques if you want but leave the forms alone” camp. So if you’re in the camp that the forms contain all of the motion and concepts then 5.0 isn’t “missing” anything. Kicking Set II is different and Mr. Speakman has included 2 stick sets and 2 knife sets. No explanations were given, just demos. What I saw was simplified versions of material extracted from Forms 7 and 8….with some FMA influences. Last point. There looks to be more to come. Stick sets included but no stick techniques? Not all of the methods of execution shown in the knife sets were used in the knife techniques? Was that a hint Mr. Speakman?

Pick up a set and see for yourself. FAR more good than bad and, contrary to popular belief, material that isn’t addressed in many (not all) EPAK schools.

Judo/Ju Jitsu in Kenpo

2007-05-24T23:02:00Z

The Judo/Ju Jitsu in Kenpo

Throws of the Kodokan and the Kenpo Techniques they appear in either as the throw itself or as the entry of the throw (sometimes hidden sometimes blatantly obvious). (Visit http://www.judoinfo.com/gokyo1.htm and http://www.judoinfo.com/gokyo.htm for videos of Judo variants)

This list is not meant to be all-inclusive. It is only a primer.

De-ashi-harai = Glancing Spear, Dance of Darkness, Flashing Wings ext.

Uki-goshi = Destructive Twins Ext., Marriage of the Rams

Osoto-gari = Sleeper, Tripping Arrow, Dominating Circles, Circling the Horizon etc.

O-goshi = Securing the Storm, Spreading Branch, Raining Claw ext.

Ouchi-gari = Desperate Falcons, Spreading Branch

Seoi-nage = Obscure Wing ext., Twisted Twig ext., Circles of Protection ext., Thrusting Wedge

Kosoto-gari = See De-ashi-harai

Kouchi-gari = Captured leaves ext, Scraping Hoof ext

Koshi-guruma = Sleeper

Tsurikomi-goshi = Begging Hands ext

Okuri-ashi-harai = Prance of the Tiger, Glancing Wing

Tai-Otoshi = Taming the Mace

Harai-goshi = Sleeper

Uchi-mata = Gripping Talon, Destructive Twins ext, Spreading Branch, Squeezing the Peach ext

Tsuri-goshi = Locked Wing, Broken Ram, Securing the Storm

Tomoe-nage = Parting Wings, Twist of Fate, Encounter with Danger

Kata-guruma = Bow of Compulsion, Bowing to Buddha, Locking Horns, Calming the Storm

Sumi-gaeshi = Encounter with Danger, Parting Wings, Intercepting the Ram

Hane-makikomi = Triggered Salute, Calming the Storm, Repeated Devastation, Twirling Sacrifice

Sukui-nage = Twirling Sacrifice, Crashing Wings, Crushing Hammer, Escape from Death

Ushiro-goshi = Grasp of Death, Grip of Death

Ura-nage = Grasp of Death, Grip of Death, Escape from Death, Circles of Protection

Hikikomi-gaeshi = Defying the Storm

Tawara-gaeshi = Intercepting the Ram

Kuchiki-taoshi = Dance of Death, Brushing the Storm, Thrusting Wedge ext, Bowing to Buddha

Grappling Techniques of Judo/Ju Jitsu in Kenpo

Juji-jime = Cross of Death, Fatal Cross

Kata-gatame = Sleeper

Hadaka-jime = Escape from Death

Ryote-jime = Heavenly Ascent

Ude-garami = Entangled Wing, Raining Claw ext, Repeated Devastation ext

Waki-gatame = Crossing Talon, Evading the Storm ext

Ude-gatame = Escape from Death, Grip of Death, Thrusting Prong, Raining Claw ext, Marriage of the Rams

Te-gatame = Lone Kimono

Kanuuki-gatame = Securing the Storm

Tate-hishigi = Locking Horns

Nikkyo = Spiraling Twig, Crossing Talon, Snaking Talon, Gift of Destiny, Thrusting Lance (http://www.aikidofaq.com/bilder/drawings/or_nikkyo.gif.html)

Kote Gaeshi = Gift of Destiny, Piercing Lance (http://www.aikidofaq.com/bilder/drawings/or_kote-gaeshi.gif.html)

Shiho-nage = Entangled Wing, Wings of Silk ext (http://www.aikidofaq.com/bilder/drawings/or_shiho-nage_2.gif.html)

3-3-6-5-1 of Martial Arts

2007-05-24T22:55:00Z

3-3-6-5-1 of Martial Arts

The Kenpo System (In my understanding) is simply 10-13 base techniques rearranged via the equation formula and applied to different attacks and circumstances while following the laws of physics and human anatomy.

Kenpo (and other Martial Arts) can be broken down to:

3 "basic" motion patterns
3 "basic" planes
6 "basic" directions
5 "basic" weapons
1 common base

-- The 3 "basic" Motion patterns
- Clockwise Circle
- Counterclockwise Circle
- Straight Line

-- The 3 planes/dimensions
- Height
- Width
- Depth

-- The 6 directions (2 for each plane in reference to opposition)
- Inward
- Outward
- Upward
- Downward
- Towards
- Away

-- The 5 Basic Weapons
- Right arm (shoulder to hand)
- Left arm (shoulder to hand)
- Right leg (hip to foot)
- Left leg (hip to foot)
- Body Axis (Head to buttocks)

--The one common base "Human Physiology"

Relating Kenpo Ranks to Academic Ranks

2007-05-24T22:44:00Z

1st Degree Black Belt = Bachelor's Degree. This person understands the basic principles, concepts and applications of their given field. They are beginning their career and have not defined or differentiated themselves yet.

2nd Degree Black Belt = Bachelor's Degree pursuing Master's Degree. This person has the basic skills of their field and are applying them in pursuit of further advanced degrees and education. They are often found supporting and assisting research. They can teach at a High School Level (Brown belts) but must acquire their Master's degree to retain this teaching position or teach at the University Level (Black Belt).

3rd Degree Black Belt = Master's Degree. This person has an advanced understanding of their field and often have positions within academic institutions involving teaching and heading research projects. This person is eligible for "Instructor" rank at many US universities. This correlates to Kenpo's Black Belt Pledge that says this person is a fully qualified instructor.

4th Degree Black Belt = Master's Degree pursuing Doctorate Level Degree. This person has an advanced understanding of their field and is readily applying it while pursuing further education. This person is actively heading programs and research initiatives and publishing their findings to contribute to their field. This person is also pursuing their specialty in their given field. This correlates to this rank often being Kenpo's "entry level" for teaching Seminar's at camps. Also at this level it starts to fleshout what a good kenpoist is "known for" throughout the kenpo world. Some grapple and manipulate, some do knives, some write books, some do forms very well, some fight/spar very well, etc.

5th Degree Black Belt = Doctorate's Degree. This person has a very advanced understanding in their field with a known specialty within thier field. They have completed the requirements for the highest degree and are now actively seeking more experience and education to gain further respect and advancement in their field. This correlates to many Kenpo curriculums officially ending at 5th Black with regards to "official" requirements. This excludes continuing education as is required in the medical field.

6th Degree Black Belt = Doctorate's Degree with appointed Rank of Professor. This person has completed the official academic requirments for degrees in their field and has actively contributed to their field in either clinical, research or educational areas (or a combination). This person is known and respected by their peers and has been promoted to the academic rank of Full Professor. This correlates to our 6th Degree Black Belt having no official requirements but instead being a "what have you done for the art" rank.

7th Degree Black Belt = Doctorate's Degree with appointed Rank of Professor, also appointed as Vice-Chair of Department. This person has advanced knowledge and experience in their field. They are well known in their field of study and now head one or many programs within their institution. This coorelates to our 7th Degree Black Belt being the highest belt that SGM Parker awarded. The 7th's (now seniors) were seen as Mr. Parker's leaders throughout the Kenpo world and many headed certain regions and/or had administrative roles in the IKKA.

8th Degree Black Belt = Doctorate's Degree with appointed Rank of Professor, also appointed as Chairman of Department or Endowed Chair. This person has advanced knowledge and experience in their field coupled with significant contributions to the field. This person is well known throughout their institution and abroad. To be promoted to Chairman a person has to be reviewed by Professor's at their institution and at other institutions. This correlates to the initial practice used to promote Mr. Parker's 7th's to 8ths. They were "generally" promoted on a concensus from peers throughout the Kenpo (their institution) and Martial Arts (other institutions) community.

9th Degree Black Belt = Doctorate's Degree with appointed Rank of Professor, also appointed Dean of a given department. This person has all of the same qualities as above. However, this person also has Several Chairman that answer to him/her. This person is sometimes recruited to other institutions to take over after a leader passes or retires. This person also has the distinction of being a highly sought after speaker at lectures and events at many institutions due to their status. Only a select few of these people become President of their or any other institution and therefore end up retiring at this level. They are then often awarded the rank of Professor Emeritus in which they are officially retired but often continue to contribute to their field and are still highly respected within it for their contributions though they shall rise no further in the "ranks". All the perrenial 9th's come to mind. Mr. Kelly, Labounty, White, Lambert, etc.

10th Degree Black Belt = Doctorate's Degree with appointed Rank of Professor, also President of Institution. This Person has completed all of the requirmements for academic degrees and promotion. This person has also contributed significantly to the advancement and development of their field abroad. Coupled with this, this person is experienced with the business and administrative end of their field and therefore is capable of running the entire institution as the business it ultimately is. Hence our 10th Degrees often run thier own associations.