Ted Sumner (Premier Login sjkenpo) Forum Owner from IP address 75.52.240.125
Regarding the below discussion on covering out pertaining to what constitutes a technique and the nomenclature that is being applied, I would offer that by the time a student reaches Shodan, they should not be rigidly bound by the structured “techniques” that we use to impart the substance of this system. The “techniques” were never intended to be an inflexible responsive device, but rather a template upon which can be overlaid any defensive contrivance appropriate for the circumstances.
Consequently, when discussing the appropriate “technique” for a particular situation, at San Jose Kenpo we rather refer to the defensive response that will accomplish the desired defensive solution to an attack scenario. Any and all expedients are “on the table” in the construct of an effective defensive solution. This may consist of a particular technique or components of several. But the ability to seamlessly flow from one defensive scenario to another is a skill that is absolutely integral to the development a forcible martial artist.
It is insteresting that you brought this up as I recently had a heated conversation with some various kenpo martial artist who never thought to leave a technique in search of a seemless flow of defensive movement that is taught to us by the structured techniques of the given kenpo systems. Don't get me wrong though I still feel that a student such as myself should practice the techniques if only to lock in a given reponse or to simply familurize the body with movement so we don't get stuch in the preverbial rut that most martial artist reach at or about Shodan. To bring this comment home I agree that there should be a time when techniques don't exist in a self defense situation,....only kenpo movement.
The “Freeform” aspects of training have been somewhat overlooked. I have seen that in more than one branch of Kenpo. I feel this freeform training should be filtered in after say yellow belt with a sound foundation of basics. I have observed that if you just do the calisthenics, Kata without applications, techniques, and freestyle there is a substantial percentage of the student population that just cannot jump the gap to impromptu. You do need some automatic response training of movement which is the kata training, however, it should be pretty basic and to the point, fast, furious, less time consuming, and direct to the major vital areas. Get there the first-est with the most-est.
There are a few good solid drills to get to the impromptu. You just have to do them on a regular basis.
The freeform aspect is hard for lower ranks to assimilate because they are still learning preset responses. If one is trained in basic cause & effect of strikes and subsequent responses "freeform" (randori) brings the student to a deeper understanding of Kenpo Karate. Think about it.
That is why I posted the problem and possible solution. It does boil down to basics with the added information that some of us old timers are rolling in. Still basics, just more sophisticated. Gee, I think SGM Ed Parker, Sr. did a video serious titled “Sophisticated Basics” if I remember correctly.
I have had a long standing disagreement with some of my fellow Kenpo instructors. One refused to teach some basics first or along with the first techniques. He just would teach techniques and forms. His beginning students were pretty sloppy and we seasoned vets both male and female made some comments but he would not listen. I know you got to make a buck but having one of these students get their back side beat into the ground would be detrimental to your business also. It is that old adage of rather being good at ten things then not so good at a hundred things.
Periodically, I have experimented with trying to streamline the process which depends on the individual. The large percentage of the students need functional basics at least for the first two years is my observation. I have, however, put a lot more technology as in quality basics instead of the run of the mill, kicky, punchy, blocky without content type workout. This seems to work a lot better.
The 'katas' I teach are series of linked 'techniques' which contain basic-principles ('basics'), which my students are taught from the start, to brackdown and apply (in an adaptive manner) to various street-oriented positions/situations (generally referred to as 'practice prone'). Therefore, the 'freeform' adaptive effect developes hand-in-hand with complete techniques. What is 'advanced' is not the techniques themselves, but the individuals evolved skills. As someone already stated, it's nothing new . . . it's merely training in 'bunkai' & 'randori' early-on. By the way Henry, your the biggest kid I know, aside from Dave. Good positive redirection of the thread Ted.
Besides the Bunkai, Randori, drills such as “The Bull in the Ring”, “Chess”, “Monkey Line” and likewise drills, (Actually, someone should write a manual on this subject besides a DVD series as I have seen interesting material in the last few years now that there is more sharing than ever before. I am surprised at how “The Bull in the Ring” drill has evolved over the years), it is the environmental drills or applications that I hardly see mentioned. This is partly what I saw on VHS years ago that SGM Parker produced using table chairs, an environment of an inside closed in space. This is a science all on its own. Years ago we did the “outside environment” training such as getting into your car, using the car or other obstacles as a shield or to hide. Car jacking anything that popped into our heads that was coming from police reports and the student body personal experiences over the years since being children. You do have to have a crowd so to speak of students to observe, and direct, and sometimes what you are doing in the parking lot in front of the school or the garage driveway as this gets a little hairy and never know who you might have to explain to what you are doing. This is an eye opener though, direct hands on real life applications.
One of the local instructors in my area is an active LEO and teaches what the modern martial science that is being used for law enforcement on the community level. One of the principles is to seize the hand gun, hand and wrist with an arm wrap so that the weapon is against the officer’s body pointing down. This is to insure the weapon will not discharge in any other direction endangering other citizens and possible other officers. What we saw was different directions, different angle positions, and different variations of the techniques that were developed from the field.
Those of us that are not in law enforcement per say but have had military experience and or employed in some security capacity including bodyguard and the worst of like professions a “bouncer”, have a concern of the muzzle blast problem. This is a concern with some of the techniques taught to CIA, Homeland Security, personnel that do teach safety features concerning the muzzle blast even if is simply closing the eyes tightly when the firearm is discharged which more than likely would be pointing back at the perpetrator and or his or her accomplices’. The methodology for CIA operatives obviously would be considerably different. When is the last time anyone has ever heard of a CIA operative being sued for excessive force or wrongful death? That is what I mean.
We realize on the local level the officer in question has to consider the safety of others and is limited to parameters one can do to get the job done, however, this is a “miff” point here whereby the other trained individuals do not like this LEO methodology whatsoever. The concern is the muzzle blast would rip the flesh off the mid ribs to hip let alone where the projectile goes, such as chip the hip bone, sever an artery, vein, nerve or blow off your toes, or a hole through your instep.
These techniques come from the “stick arts” for disarm. I, however, have alarms going off in the back of my head about these techniques.
This message has been edited by B.B.Baxter from IP address 130.76.32.182 on May 18, 2008 8:00 AM This message has been edited by B.B.Baxter from IP address 130.76.32.182 on May 17, 2008 9:23 AM
