01.14.06 - Saturday Training

New Items Today:

1. Outer Rim Concept

Reviewed Other Items:

1. Yes-No Drills
2. ¼ Speed sparring
3. Techniques
4. Orange belt form
5. Double Factoring

.

Outer Rim Concept
Sifu took some time and described something he refers to as the “Outer Rim” concept today. I thought it sounded familiar and looked it up in the Encyclopedia of Kenpo by Ed Parker when I got home. Following is the definition I found there:

An imaginary egg-shaped circle that is used as a visual aid. This egg-shaped pattern starts at eyebrow level, and ends slightly below the region of the groin. The larger portion of the egg is positioned at the top. This concept teaches you to confine defensive and offensive movements of your arms and hands to those areas within the imaginary circle. You learn never to over-extend nor over-commit beyond the circle with your arms and hands. To do so no only exposes your vital areas, but limits your ability to counter quickly. Employing this concept reduces the number of openings in your defense, and with them, the odds of getting hit. It is a supplemental aid in the study of the ZONE CONCEPT.

I think this definition pretty much sums up what we talked about, although we never really went into the “zone concept” today. Sifu went on to use the Outer Rim Concept as a teaching aid when we went over blocking, describing how if a punch is coming in outside of the that outer rim, it really isn’t necessary to move to block the blow as it will be off target to begin with.

.

¼ Speed Sparring
We had a rather large group today so it was interesting sparring with everyone. Once again, I seemed to be adequately cutting off an attacker if they moved around me but I often would cover and retreat against a straight in attack. I know I have been weak with this from the beginning but it is starting to frustrate me a bit now. I am planning to seek some advice on the matter from Bill next week.

I also received some very good feedback from Phyl after he watched me sparring with Sifu. He showed me how I was holding my trailing hand way up near my shoulder in a defensive posture instead of having it down where it needed to be. Thinking back on this, I realized that Bill took advantage of this in a couple of ways during sparring. For one I had left my ribs on that side wide open, and I also had to move my arm twice as far to get it into a blocking position, costing me time and wasting energy. I thanked Phyl for the feedback and made a mental note on it. I’m not sure why I did that as it is counter to my normal reactions but I’ll be watching more closely for it in the future.

.

“Yes-No” Drill
I did much better with this drill this week than I have in weeks prior. I purposely attempted to just block out everything and let my hands react reflexively to the commands. That was the idea anyway and it sure sounds good on paper. Overall I think it was much better than before but I was tripped up a few times. The thing I noticed that came along with the accuracy was my response speed. It seems to be increasing. I was thinking about it afterwards and realized that I was so focused on getting the accuracy down that I’m not sure if I was sacrificing form. I’ll pay closer attention next time.

.

Techniques
Sifu worked with us White belts today and we discussed some of the elements in more detail. For instance, on Thunder and Lightning, he went over the parry and used it to demonstrate “double factoring”, a phrase that I failed to name when asked. He went over it quickly and I realized that I didn’t really have a good definition for it written in my journal so, once again, I went to the Encyclopedia of Kenpo by Ed Parker for the following:

Double Factor – It entails utilizing dual movements to defend yourself. These moves can incorporate any combination of blocks, parries, and checks. It also refers to sophisticated moves which are dually defensive and offensive. REVERSE MOTION is an integral part of this concept.

Not exactly crystal clear but when combined with the demonstration of the parry, coupled with the block, in Thunder and Lighting it all comes to light rather well.

.

Orange Belt Form
Alexandra and I wrapped up our day with the Orange belt form. We did it together in the middle of the floor a few times before we cleared the way for the Purple belts to come out and do their portion of the Master Form.

.

Final notes at the end of class:

• Bill has given us the “Kenpo in the Carolinas” Seminar Participation Agreements. They need to be filled out, signed, and turned in to Marty ASAP if we are going to participate in the seminar with Vic LeRoux.