06.11.05 - Saturday Training

Covered 4 new items today:

1. Stretching techniques (dynamic vs. static)
2. Stance: Lunge Stance
3. Block: Inside Block
4. Proper Fist

Reviewed several other items today:

1. Stance: Neutral Bow
2. Foot Maneuver: Step-drag (forward & backward)
3. Foot Maneuver: Cover
4. Foot Maneuver: Switch
5. Salutation: Short Salute

Block: Inside Block
Quote: “If a block ends a fight, that’s enough.”
Part of the demonstration of the inside block was showing how effective a block could be at causing pain or injury to the assailant. Bill stated that in some cases, a well executed block may cause the attacker enough pain that he may call it quits – at which time the confrontation should be ended. I’ve seen Bill state in closings on the web: “May you never have to use your art.”… I think that statement is in line with this quote.

On a similar track, he went on to describe what a witness may describe to a police officer after an altercation. Bill stated that all Kenpo strikes can be performed with an open hand, giving the appearance that the original assailant is being “slapped around” as opposed to being struck with a closed fist. Just something to consider should we ever be placed in such a predicament.

Quote: “Never go East when you want to go West”
This is a statement that Bill said we would be hearing a lot of as we go through our Kenpo training. In this instance, he was illustrating how it was inefficient and unnecessary to cock back the arm to intercept a strike when blocking. He further demonstrated some techniques we have not yet learned that clearly shows the economy of motion in Kenpo without reducing effectiveness.

Other items
Bill reviewed my notes from the previous week. He questioned my illustration of the switch maneuver but after I explained to him how I came up with it, he stated that he understood but had never seen it shown that way. He mentioned that the brain has a tendency to become somewhat ‘confused’ if the feet are pointing in opposite directions as the brain can’t tell which way you intend to move. My diagram showed exactly this and that was his cause for concern. He also noted that I had improperly illustrated the cover maneuver, which I promptly corrected.

Bill has ordered my gi and it should be here within the next 2-3 weeks. The patch was also ordered but will need to be sewn on.

Study for next week:

• Lunge stance
• Inside block
• Step-drag foot maneuver (forward & backward)