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“To enlighten and evolve through the art of Kenpo” 
Volume 3

January/February 1998

Issue 1
Contents
From The President...

The Kenpo Mind: The Power of Visualization - Part II

The Technical Corner

Constituents of Contact Manipulation - Part 1

Upcoming News & Notes

Recommended Reading

Quote

Previous Issues

UKS Home

The Technical Corner

By Tommy D. Burks, Associate Professor  

The “Art” of Kenpo is an intricate system of movement utilizing concepts and principles of motion to help us to understand and fully utilize its potential. Mr. Parker used to say that doing movement without understanding its meaning is like talking without understanding the meaning of the words we speak. During the first couple of years that I was in Kenpo, I was so overwhelmed by the physical aspect of the art that I never looked into why it worked. Once I started to understand some of the concepts and principles that make up the system, Kenpo became a lot easier for me to understand and perform. There are not endless amounts of variables which has to be learned but rather numerous concepts and principles which gives you endless insight and understanding of the system. Mr. Parker used these concepts and principles as a guide so we can understand and learn the material more quickly and efficiently.

With the permission of Mr. Hawkins and the UKS, I would like to provide some information on the self-defense techniques and forms which I have acquired over the years in an effort to help others gain a better understanding of the art that we love and practice “Ed Parker’s American Kenpo Karate”.

Mr. Parker once explained to me that to know a self-defense, several variables are involved: 1) how to perform the attack; 2) how to execute the movements of the self-defense technique; 3) the concepts and principles of each portion of the technique; and 4) hopefully the name and theme of the technique.

Let’s begin with a “simple technique” and work our way up:

Delayed Sword
Ideal phase of attack: Front right lapel grab.
Name: The technique derives its name from the sequence of movements. The kick provides a delay of the execution of the sword.
Theme: The technique was designed to teach you how to create distance while blocking your opponent’s extended arm with your forward arm. You then follow this action with a long range weapon (the kick). It also teaches proper gauging for the kick, which enables you to properly gauge the distance of the extended hand strike.

When considering the execution of a technique there are several variables we should always consider:
1. How is our power obtained? Rotational torque, gravitational marriage, backup mass, or (confluence of forces) a combination of some or all of the above.
2. What do we have to control on our opponent? Height, width and depth zones.
3. Method of execution? Snapping, thrusting, clawing, etc.
4. Angle of execution? Diagonal, horizontal, vertical, etc.
5. Blocks, checks and covers.

Let us review some of the concepts and principles of this technique:

First Move:
1. Point of origin
2. Depth of action
       a. Create distance
3. Body momentum
       a. Rotational
       b. Gravitational marriage
4. Stabilize
       a. Settle
       b. Keep knees flexible
5. Check
       a. Left hand - positional
6. Anchor
       a. Both elbows
7. Angle of execution - block
8. Method of execution - block
9. Economy of motion
10. Angle of disturbance
11. Angle of cancellation
12. Minimize targets

Second Move:
1. Depth of action
       a. Create distance
2. Stabilize your base
3. Gauging leg
       a. Forward leg and foot
4. Check
       a. Left and right hand positional
5. Proper body alignment

Third Move:
1. Point of origin
2. Angle of execution - kick
3. Method of execution - kick
4. Angle of entry
5. Depth of penetration
6. Angle of incidence
7. Mid-point balance
8. Angle of efficiency

Fourth Move:
1. Depth of action
       a. Decrease distance
2. Body momentum
       a. Forward
       b. Rotational
       c. Gravitational marriage
3. Angle of execution - handsword
4. Method of execution - handsword
5. Anchor
       a. Both elbows
6. Borrowed force
7. Angle of incidence
8. Depth of penetration
9. Contouring
       a. Tracking
10. Angle of cancellation
11. Check
         a. Left and right hand - positional
         b. Right knee - pinning
12. Stabilize
         a. Settle
         b. Keep knees flexible
13. Body fusion
14. Angle of efficiency

NOTES:
1. This technique teaches when moving away from our opponent to utilize the opposite hand of the foot that steps back (opposite hand/opposite foot). It also teaches those of us who are right handed to use the most coordinated hand in front.
2. This technique teaches when moving into our opponent to utilize the same hand as the foot that is moving forward (like hand/like foot).
3. During the execution of the handsword strike, angle your strike so that you diagonally cut down and through your opponent to check height, width and depth zones.

Simple technique or complex technique? How about a complex technique which is simple if we understand the concepts and principles. These same concepts and principles as well as others are found in other techniques as well as in the forms and sets. If we learn the concepts and principles all we have to do when we learn something new is to learn the way it is being applied in that instance. Mr. Parker always said the secrets of Kenpo are the “basics”. Are not the concepts and principles basics, just like our blocks and stances? Let us not neglect our intellectual studies of our art, so that the unbelievable hours of his life Mr. Parker dedicated to provide us with the reference material and knowledge to help us progress was not wasted time. By learning, teaching and sharing we not only increase our knowledge but we also give thanks to Mr. Parker.

See y’all in the next newsletter. Your comments are appreciated.

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