Short Form 1 (right side only)

KenpoTech on May 8, 2010

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Short Form 1 was developed to teach a beginner how to retreat from an opponent while taking advantage of the free space around him.  Environmental consideration is important because it determines what one can or cannot do.  In Short Form 1, it is assumed that the environment favors the practitioner who is allowed freedom to move about.

Although Short Form 1 is the first form taught, historically this is not the oldest form.  To determine the first form created consider that all numbered forms are done on both sides, except for one.

Short Form 1 (right side only) Contains

  • Moves that are strictly defensive
  • Basic stances:
    • attention
    • training horse
    • neutral bow
  • Basic blocks:
    • hammering inward
    • vertical outward
    • upward
    • downward
    • inside downward (palm up)
  • Double blocks (double factor)
    • high
    • low
  • A rear elbow strike (or block) while blocking
  • Four basic angle changes (front, two sides, rear).
  • Ten moves including the salutation & close

Short Form 1 (right side only) Teaches:

  • To maintain an erect posture.
  • To remain down while in your stance (keep knees flexible).
  • To change stances without elevating the head (maintain a constant level when moving).
  • To increase peripheral vision.
  • To always look at your opponent.
  • To never expose your back unnecessarily.
  • How to cover in a neutral bow.
  • How to retreat or move away from your opponent when turning to face the unknown; teaching one that distance can become an ally.
  • Basic timing and synchronization of hands and feet.
  • How to block when retreating; opposite hand, opposite foot.
  • To relax and tense at the proper moment
  • Angle changes in preparation for a mass attack.
  • How to use the opposite arm, from that of the blocking hand, as a hidden weapon if and when needed.
  • How to move up and down in an “L” shaped pattern.
  • Repetition of the four basic blocks while retreating.
  • To have your block make contact at a distance from you so that your opponent’s punch is diverted greatly when nearing your face.
  • Crisp moves, snap and torque.

Short Form 1 (right side) Step by Step

Opening Salutation & begin in a meditative horse stance

  • Section 1 – Inward Blocks (2 moves)
    • Side A
      • Slide your left foot toward 6:00 to form a right neutral bow stance facing 12:00.
      • Deliver a right hammering inward block.
      • Deliver a left rear elbow strike.
    • Side B
      • Slide your right foot toward 6:00 to form a left neutral bow stance facing 12:00.
      • Deliver a left thrusting inward block.
      • Deliver a right rear elbow strike.
  • Section 2 – Outward Blocks (2 moves)
    • Side A
      • Slide your right foot toward 3:00 and pivot counterclockwise to form a left neutral bow stance facing 9:00.
      • Deliver a right minor inward block.
      • Deliver a left vertical outward block as you settle into your stance.
      • Deliver a right rear elbow strike as you settle into your stance.
    • Side B
      • Slide your left foot toward 3:00 to form a right neutral bow stance facing 9:00.
      • Deliver a left minor inward block.
      • Deliver a right vertical outward block as you settle into your stance.
      • Deliver a left rear elbow strike as you settle into your stance.
  • Section 3 – Upward Blocks (2 moves)
    • Side A
      • Make a slight adjustment (small step) by sliding your right foot towards 7:00 (cover to 3:00) and pivot counterclockwise to face 3:00 in a left neutral bow stance.
      • Deliver a right minor inward block.
      • Deliver a left upward block as you settle into your stance.
      • Deliver a right rear elbow strike as you settle into your stance.
    • Side B
      • Slide your left foot toward 9:00 to form a right neutral bow stance facing 3:00.
      • Deliver a left hammering inward block.
      • Deliver a right upward block as you settle into your stance.
      • Deliver a left rear elbow strike as you settle into your stance.
  • Section 4 – Upward Blocks (2 moves)
    • Side A
      • Slide your left foot towards 12:00 and pivot clockwise to face 6:00 in a right neutral bow stance.
      • Deliver a left minor inward downward palm up block.
      • Deliver a right outward downward block as you settle into your stance.
      • Deliver a left rear elbow strike as you settle into your stance.
    • Side B
      • Slide your right foot toward 12:00 to form a left neutral bow stance facing 6:00.
      • Deliver a right minor inward downward palm up block.
      • Deliver a left outward downward block as you settle into your stance.
      • Deliver a right rear elbow strike as you settle into your stance.
  • Section 5 – Closing Salutation (1 move)
    • Slide your left foot toward 12:00 to form a horse stance.
    • Cover your right clenched fist with your left open hand.
  • Closing Salutation (1 move)
    • Close your meditative horse stance
    • Execute the Salutation

Short Form 1 Notes

  • Practice both sides of the form
  • Try it in different environments: a smooth floor, on sand, in the dark, in the bathroom, wearing different types of clothing, etc…
  • Practice with attackers with weapons, learn to first block on the outside of their weapons.  Repeat the form while blocking on the inside of their weapons.
  • List some of the benefits of covering.
  • Note the advantage of maintaining a consistent head level while moving.
  • Your back elbow strikes should be directed to the rear.
  • Practice the form being conscious of what it is teaching you.
  • List some of the ways the form helps you to improve your freestyle.
  • List some of the ways it improves your fighting.
  • Note the two basic covers in Short Form #1: rear cover and side cover.
  • Practice your blocks utilizing the DOUBLE FACTOR.
  • Study the possibilities of executing your inward blocks on the first two moves of the form.

Blocking Set #1

KenpoTech on April 20, 2010

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Blocking Set #1 is the first of all Kenpo Sets to be learned.  It is a very basic set that keeps you in place and using one arm at a time introduces you to some of the blocks of American Kenpo.  As you learn these blocks you also learn how to make your blocks flow from one into the next while being introduced to the Kenpo concept called ‘Point of Origin’.  At the midpoint you are introduced to moving both arms simultaneously or rather performing two actions at once.

That said it is important to remember that while performing this set on each side that you do not re-cock your arm between blocks.  Your next block begins where your previous block ended or rather you perform the block from the point of origin.

The Set

  • Opening:
    • Begin in a medative horse stance
    • Cock both hands at your hips.
  • Section 1: (Right Side)
    • Deliver a right upward block.
    • Deliver a right hammering inward block.
    • Deliver a right extended outward block.
    • Deliver a right outward downward block.
    • Deliver a right rear elbow block.
    • Deliver a right push-down block.
    • Chamber your right hand on your hip.
  • Section 2: (Left Side)
    • Deliver a left upward block.
    • Deliver a left hammering inward block.
    • Deliver a left extended outward block.
    • Deliver a left downward block.
    • Deliver a left rear elbow block.
    • Deliver a left push-down block.
    • Chamber your left hand on your hip.
  • Closing:
    • Cover your right fist with your left hand.
    • Close your meditative horse stance.

Contains

  • Right upward block for a left overhead club attack or chop.
  • Right inward block for a right punch to the body.
  • Right extended outward block for a left punch to the face.
  • Right outside downward block for a left kick to the groin
  • Right back elbow block for a left roundhouse kick to your right kidney.
  • Right push down block for a right knee kick to the groin.
  • Left blocks for attacks from opposite side.

Teaches

  • Five (5) major blocks in addition to one (1) hidden block.
  • Sequence of blocks that preserve economy of motion.
  • Correct manner in which to use your major blocks.
  • Blocks that protect all three (3) “Zones of Protection”.
  • The execution of the major blocks in a stationary position.
  • Maximum cover of head and upper body areas.

Sword and Hammer (EPAK Yellow #10)

KenpoTech on April 20, 2010

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Sword & Hammer is the 10th and final technique required to obtain your Yellow Belt in Ed Parker’s American Kenpo. Sword and Hammer is a defense against a left hand shoulder grab from the right flank, placing it in the Grabs & Tackles category of the Web of Knowledge and the Shoulder & Lapel Grab Family group of the Grabs category in the Family Groups Grappling Division.

In this Sword and Hammer you will learn to cross check your opponent’s arms and legs as well as pinning simultaneously with a strike. Lastly in this attack you will move into the semi-unknown for the first time.

Defense

  • Step 1:
    • Pin the opponent’s left hand to your shoulder with your left hand.
    • Step toward 3:00 with your right foot to form a horse stance.
    • Deliver a right outward handsword strike to the opponent’s throat.
  • Step 2:
    • Finish with a right downward rear hammerfist strike to your opponent’s groin.
  • Step 3:
    • Cover toward 9:00.

Additional Information

Name

The name, Sword and Hammer, derives from the weapons used in defense as well as the order they are deployed.  The first weapon you use is a handsword strike represented by the word Sword. This is immediately followed by a hammerfist strike thus the word Hammer

Attack

The Ideal phase has your opponent attacking you from your right flank (3:00) and they are grabbing your right shoulder with their left hand and their left arm is bent at the elbow.

With your attacker at 3:00 and their elbow bent, their arm will actually be coming from your right rear flank as an attacker putting his arm straight out to the side would be an unnatural position. Think of it more like someone coming up behind you and putting their arm around you, only instead they put their left hand on your shoulder instead of around your shoulders.

The use for this attack is usually to turn you around, pull you off balance or set you up for a sucker punch as it pulls you around opening up your face for the punch. That said, this type of grab isn’t always an aggressive move. The person putting their hand on your shoulder could be family, friend or coworker getting your attention or even someone catching you before you walk out into the street and get hit by a car.

It is therefore important that you build up your reaction to get the hand pinned and then use keen instinct and judgment to discern if the person grabbing your shoulder is friend or foe and what are their intentions. Remember attacks can come from people you normally consider a friend of family member so always confirm intention

Basics & Maneuvers Used

  • Right Side Step Through
  • Fighting Horse Stance
  • Right Outward Horizontal Handsword Strike
  • Right Downward Rear Hammerfist Strike

Targets

  • Left hand
  • Throat
  • Solar Plexus, Abdomen, Bladder, Groin

Concepts & Principles Taught

  • Borrowed Reach
  • Contouring
  • Cross Checking
  • Obscure Zone
  • Pinning
  • Settling
  • Torque


Considerations

  • Situational – What if …
    • your opponent is slightly located to the rear of you?
    • your opponent is much taller than you?
    • your opponent is pulling you toward him?
    • your opponent is pulling towards him and attempts a right punch to the face?
    • your opponent is pushing you away from him?
    • your opponent blocks your handsword strike with his right hand?

Related Techniques

Historical Notes

  • The 1975 Accumulative Journal states that you should step off to 2:00 instead of 3:00
  • Neither the 1975 Accumulative Journal nor the 1987 Studio Manuals indicate an Angle of Departure

Historical Versions

1975 Accumulative Journal

SWORD AND HAMMER  (right flank – left hand shoulder grab)

  1. With feet together and opponent (standing at 3 O’clock) with his left hand grabbing your right shoulder, step off right to 2 O’clock into a horse stance, and immediately as your right foot plants, swing both your arms to the right, your left hand goes to your right shoulder to become a pinning check to his left hand, and your right hand becomes a right outward handsword strike to his adams-apple.
  2. As opponent reacts to the handsword strike and bends backward, execute a right downward and backward hammerfist strike to his groin.
  3. No cover out is required.

Unfinished Yellow Belt Manual by Ed Parker

SWORD AND HAMMER (right flank – left hand shoulder grab)

  1. While you are standing naturally (facing 12 o’clock), your opponent (standing between 3 and 4 o’clock) grabs your right shoulder with his left hand. Immediately and simultaneously (1) step off and to your right with your right foot toward 3 o’clock into a horse stance (with your head and eyes turned toward your opponent), (2) strike your opponent’s throat with a right outward handsword, and (3) pin your opponent’s left hand to your right shoulder with your left hand. (This action should cause your opponent’s head to move away from you.)
  2. As your opponent reacts to your handsword strike and bends backward, settle your body (by bending your knees) and with the help of gravitational marriage execute a right back hammerfist strike to your opponent’s groin. (Your opponent should then bend forward at the waist.)

Notes

Variations

Attacking Mace (EPAK Yellow #9)

KenpoTech on April 20, 2010

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Attacking Mace is the 9th technique required to obtain your Yellow Belt in Ed Parker’s American Kenpo.  Attacking Mace is a defense against a right step through punch placing it in the Punches category of the Web of Knowledge and the Punches Family Group in the Family Groups Striking Division.

This technique is your second defense against a punch and it teaches the value of checking your opponents leverage points to control height, width and depth in order. A grabbing check is used and reverse motion is used twice. You will also step back with the right foot for the first time.

Defense

  • Step 1:
    • Step back toward 6:00 with your right foot to form a left neutral bow stance.
    • Deliver a left inward block to the outside of your opponent’s right arm.
    • Cock your right hand at your right hip.
  • Step 2:
    • Pivot counterclockwise into a left forward bow stance.
    • Deliver a right straight thrust punch to your opponent’s right rib cage.
    • Check high with your left hand.
  • Step 3:
    • Circle your right hand under and outside your opponent’s right arm to grab and pull your opponent’s arm with your right hand.
    • Deliver a right front snapping ball kick to the groin.
  • Step 4:
    • Plant your right foot forward towards 12:00 checking the inside of your opponent’s right knee.
    • Deliver a left snapping vertical punch to your opponent’s kidney.
  • Step 5:
    • Cover toward 6:00.

Additional Information

Name

As previously stated, the mace is symbolic of the fist. The name here derives from your opponent’s attacking fist.

Attack

The ideal phase has the attacker in front of you possibly in a left neutral bow. The attacker then steps towards you with their right foot as they deliver a right thrusting vertical punch to your face, neck or upper chest.

Basics & Maneuvers Used

  • Right Reverse Step Through
  • Left Neutral Bow Stance
  • Left Hammering Inward Block
  • Left Forward Bow Stance
  • Right straight Thrust Punch
  • Right Front Snapping Ball Kick
  • Left Inverted Horizontal Snapping Uppercut Punch

Targets

  • Outside of the right arm, below the elbow
  • Right lower ribs
  • Outside right wrist
  • Groin/Bladder
  • Right kidney

Concepts & Principles Taught

  • Backup Mass
  • Body Momentum
  • Torque


Considerations

  • What if …
    • your opponent does not step through?
    • your opponent steps forward with his left leg?
    • your opponent punches your midsection instead of your face?
    • your opponent attacks you with full body momentum?
    • your opponent precedes his punch with a right step through kick
    • your opponent is thrusting a club.
    • your back is against a wall
    • your opponent punches with his right hand then follows with his left?
    • your opponent falls to his knees after your first punch?
    • your right wrist grab slips off your opponent’s wrist?

Related Techniques

  • Dance of Death
  • Evading the Storm
  • Thundering Hammers
  • Darting Mace
  • Sleeper
  • Flashing Wings
  • Glancing Spear
  • Desperate Falcons
  • Aggressive Twins

Historical Notes

  • The 1975 Accumulative Journal ends with the right snapping ball kick by having you plant back towards 6:00 into a left neutral bow stance with your hands up in a fighting position.

Historical Versions

1975 Accumulative Journal

ATTACKING MACE (front straight right punch)

  1. With feet together drop back with your right foot into a left neutral bow stance as you execute a left inward strike outside of opponent’s right punch.
  2. Pivot into a left forward bow stance as you execute a right straight thrust punch to the right rib cage of your opponent keeping your left hand open in a checking position at on or above his right elbow.
  3. Circle your right hand down in and around (countergrab) to become a grab out side opponent’s right wrist, and as you pull him in toward you strike him in the right rib-cage or solar-plexus with your right front snap ball kick. From your right kick plant down and back into a left neutral bow stance, with your hands in the fighting position.
  4. No cover out is required.

Unfinished Yellow Belt Manual by Ed Parker

ATTACKING MACE (front – right step through straight punch)

  1. With your feet together, drop back with your right foot toward 6:00 into a left neutral bow stance (facing 12:00), as you execute a left inward block to the outside of your opponent’s right punch. During this action, your right hand cocks forward and slightly to the right of your solar plexus (fist clenched and palm up). (This action will turn and momentarily check the width of your opponent’s body.)
  2. Immediately pivot into a left forward bow stance as you execute a right straight horizontal thrust punch to the right lower ribcage of your opponent. Make sure that your left hand is open as it checks your opponent’s right elbow. (Your action should cause your opponent to bend forward at the waist, and to be forced back slightly.)
  3. Circle your right hand clockwise so that it travels down, out, over, and around your opponent’s right arm as you countergrab the outside of his right wrist. Immediately pull your opponent’s arm diagonally and down past your right hip, while simultaneously delivering a right roundhouse kick to his groin. During this action, cock your left hand slightly above your left ribcage (fist clenched and palm up). (Your kick and pull should cause your opponent to bend forward even further, thus exposing his right kidney.)
  4. Drop forward into a right forward bow toward 12:00, while simultaneously executing a left snapping vertical punch to your opponent’s right kidney, “with” your right leg ON AND OVER THE LINE OF ENTRY. (Make sure your right knee is inside of, but over your opponent’s right knee and pressing up against it. Your punch combined with your buckle will drop your opponent to the ground, as well as move him away from you.)

Notes

Variations

Mace of Aggression (EPAK Yellow #8)

KenpoTech on April 20, 2010

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Mace of Aggression is the 8th technique required to obtain your Yellow Belt in Ed Parker’s American Kenpo. Mace of Aggression is a defense against a two-hand lapel grab pulling in. This places Mace of Aggression in the Grabs & Tackles category of the Web of Knowledge and the Shoulder & Lapel Grab Family Group in the Grabs category of the Family Groups Grappling Division.

In Mace of aggression we convert what was a defensive motion into an offensive motion as we quickly advance on the opponent to make use of our short ranged weapons while controlling our opponent’s arms. This is the first time that you will move into the attacker as opposed to retreat or move away from the attacker.

Defense

  • Step 1
    • With your left hand reach across and pin both your opponent’s hands to your chest.
    • Step forward towards 12:00 planting with a right downward stomp kick to the top of your opponent’s right foot.
    • Execute a right inward downward diagonal raking hammerfist strike, towards 10:30, across your opponent’s left eye and bridge of the nose.
  • Step 2
    • Allow your right arm to continue on its counter-clockwise path so it strikes your opponent’s forearms.
    • Pull the opponent’s arms down with your right arm, anchoring your elbow.
    • Deliver a right inward horizontal elbow strike to the left side of the face.
  • Step 3
    • Push-drag shuffle forward.
    • Deliver a right outward horizontal elbow strike to your opponent’s face.
  • Step 4
    • Cover toward 6:00.

Additional Information

Name

As we learned in Alternating Maces, our fists are symbolized as maces.  As we are pulled in towards our opponent we take the aggressive stance and quickly move into the attacker as we strike with our fist (mace) thus the term Alternating Maces.

Attack

In the ideal phase your opponent is directly in front of you. He attacks by grabbing your lapel (or shirt) with both hands and pulls you towards him.

As previously mentioned, lapel grabs are often used to intimidate, unbalance, push you into an object or pull you into a knee or head butt.   Remember, while Grabs are seen as the least dangerous type of attack there is still a lot of potential danger and they should be treated swiftly.  It is also important to remember that when someone grabs you in an aggressive manner, it will be just that “aggressive” and they will not be gently placing their arms on your shoulders for you to have your way with them.  So train accordingly.

Basics & Maneuvers Used

  • Neutral Bow Stance
  • Inward Downward Diagonal Raking Back Knuckle Strike
  • Inward Horizontal Elbow Strike
  • Outward Horizontal Elbow Strike

Targets

  • Left outer wrist bone/forearms
  • Occipital Bone, Bridge of the Nose
  • Left side of the face
  • Face

Concepts & Principles Taught

  • Anchoring
  • Gauging of Distance
  • Purposeful Compliance
  • Stabilize your Base
  • Vice-like Moves


Considerations

  • What if …
    • your opponent’s elbows are lock as he pulls you?
    • your opponent locks his arms pushing you away instead?
    • your opponent pulls you downward on a diagonal?
    • your opponent attempts to lift you off the ground?
    • your opponent attempts to pull you into a head butt?
    • your opponent attempts to pull you into a knee?
    • your opponent is much taller than you?
    • your opponent is much shorter than you?

Related Techniques

Historical Notes

  • The 1975 Accumulative Journal and the 1987 IKKA Studio Manuals do not indicate an Angle of Departure.

Historical Versions

1975 Accumulative Journal

MACE OF AGGRESSION  (two-hand lapel grab – pulling in)

  1. With feet together and while opponent grabs your lapel with both of his hands, pulling you in toward him, execute a right stomp on opponent’s right longitudal arch simultaneously with a right inward downward raking back-knuckle slice, striking diagonally (from 2 O’clock to 8 o’clock) across the bridge of opponent’s nose as you left hand pins and checks.
  2. Continue the motion of your right arm so that is strikes (horizontally) down onto both forearms of opponent thus forcing opponent to bend forward.
  3. Execute a right inward horizontal elbow strike to left jaw of opponent, following through with the action,
  4. Immediately return with a right outward horizontal elbow strike to right jaw of opponent, shuffling with the action if necessary.

Unfinished Yellow Belt Manual by Ed Parker

MACE OF AGGRESSION (front — two-hand lapel grab — pulling in)

  1. Standing naturally, your opponent grabs your lapel with both of his hands and pulls you toward him. When this occurs simultaneously execute (1) a right stomp on top of the arch of your opponent’s right foot, (2) a right inward diagonal downward raking back knuckle strike (toward 10:30) to the bridge of your opponent’s nose (stressing depth of penetration), as (3) your left hand pins and checks both of your opponent’s hands to your chest. (Your opponent’s knees should buckle from the stomp as your back knuckle strike breaks his nose and momentarily drives his head back.)
  2. Continue the motion of your right arm so that it travels horizontally and down, striking both of your opponent’s forearms, which will force your opponent to bend forward. (It is important that you keep your right elbow on the outside of your opponent’s left arm to prevent it from being trapped.)
  3. Immediately execute a right inward horizontal elbow strike (contouring but not restricting your movement) to the left side of your opponent’s jaw, (as your left hand remains checking) making sure that you follow through with your action. (This will turn your opponent’s head to his right.)
  4. Without hesitation, return with a right outward horizontal elbow strike to the right side of your opponent’s jaw. (This should force your opponent away from you.)

Notes

Variations