Another go at 'Five Swords'

Today we are practicing the Kenpo Move known by some as ‘The Five Swords’ again. Only this time, I’m defending.

Without prejudice

A version of 'Five Swords'

We are practicing the Kenpo move known by some as ‘The Five Swords’ with Kurt defending.

Without prejudice

Floating block with spin kick follow up

This is similar to what I was doing yesterday. The main difference is that the attacker kicks instead of swings and moves back (not shown moving back).

The spin kick catches him as he is moving back when I do it correctly.

Against a ‘rusher’ or a ‘brawler’ I have to do something else.

Without prejudice

High double block to the side with spin kick follow up

While the block works well when I draw the attacker’s swing, I find that the spin kick works best as he moves back.

I find this is a great sparring technique to use against a ‘runner’ style of sparring opponent.

Without prejudice

Roundhouse kick with spin kick follow up

Similar to what I was practicing yesterday. I simply start sideways and kick to the side of the bag with the slide in roundhouse kick. Only after I have stepped away do I have the distance to execute a spin thrust kick.

Without prejudice

Front kick and spin kick follow up

Against the heavy bag, I use this combination as two separate moves. This makes the combination appear to be a slow and somewhat unwieldy series of activities.

Against an immobile attacker who was damaged by my front kick, I would have time to spin about and kick.

Otherwise, I would be presenting my back at a disadvantageous moment in the conflict.

Without prejudice

Stepthrough spin back kick

This is very similar to the technique I was practicing yesterday. The main difference is that yesterday I closed the gap with a shuffle yesterday. Today I am using a stepthrough from a forward bow to a leading horse.

Without prejudice

Slide in spin back kick

This technique doesn’t have much in the way of subtlety or surprise going for it. It absolutely won’t work against anyone even remotely prepared for it.

As a combat defense tactic against an aware attacker, I have found that it sucks.

There are a couple of things that do work in it favor though. This kick is very powerful. It can also be launched from a variety of distances (although today I’m practicing from far away).

It is also a great way to practice the spin kick. It helps me to practice a lot of things related to the spin kick. Distance, timing, speed and torque are all engaged in this technique.

Without prejudice

Palm heel use in the air and against the bag

Often, I practice slowly and with great emphasis on form.

However, there are times when I use speed and power in my practice. I will often mix my bag practice with my strikes in the air.

The idea is to be able to practice striking hard and quick while staying balanced and confident in my strikes. This should apply in my practice whether I make contact with my strikes or not.

Without prejudice

Palm heel shovel hook

Today I am practicing the ‘shovel hook’ with the palm heel. This powerful thrust allows me to go around an attackers guard and land on a vital target.

Again, like the jabs I was practicing a couple of days ago, I can go with either my thumb up or my palm down.

Without prejudice

Palm heel overhand and underhand circular thrusts

I mentioned at ‘YouTube’ that the fingers are endangered in the use of open hand blows.

The palm heel allows me to generate tremendous power in either of these two strikes. Both can be finishers if they land.

Without prejudice

Palm heel jabs

The palm heel thrust uses the palm part of the palm heel to make contact with.

I use the palm heel to jab with in two ways. Either the thumb is up or the palm is down. I am aware that there are other ways to use thus strike but today I am concentrating only on these two methods.

I have found the main difference between a fist thrust and a palm heel thrust is that I have to be closer to land the palm heel.

Without prejudice

Palm heel backhand strikes

These are similar to what I was doing yesterday. There is the same weapon (palm heel), similar targets (at least for the horizontal swings) and about the same distance from the attacker.

When I’m performing the backhand palm heel strikes I can either torque my hips in the direction of the swing or I can reverse the rotation and torque my hips one way while swing my backhand in the other direction. Both ways add power to the strike.

Without prejudice

Palm heel forehand hammering strikes

Last week I bruised my right third and fourth knuckles. I did it while punching the heavy bag (color me embarrassed).

So this week I’m working on using the palm heel. There are two surfaces that I use when striking. One is the underside of the forearm side of the palm heel.

Today I’m practicing with the forehand strikes. I usually practice with either the overhand forehand hammering strike or the horizontal forehand hammering strike. Kinda like forehand swings in tennis.

I find the real advantage of using the palm heel is that all I have to do to make a ‘palm heel’ is bend my hand back…

I have always found that there are as many disadvantages to using open handed strikes as there are to using fists to strike with.

Without prejudice

Lead jab with follow up rear arm low shovel hook

As with all the follow ups done this week (and last week); this follow up relies on the jab either landing effectively or being defended against. In either case, the attacker is still for just a fraction of a second. This allows me to land the second blow.

In this case, the second blow is done with the opposite arm against his ribs.

Without prejudice

Lead jab with rear arm high shovel hook

The jab sets my opponent up for the circular shovel hook that goes around his guard.

Without prejudice

Lead jab with follow up rear arm underhand punch

The second punch should go right under my opponents arms as he is reacting to my jab to his face.

Without prejudice

Lead jab with follow up rear overhand thrust

The jab stops the attacker and sets up my finishing blow to his face. Done correctly this is actually faster than the two punches done with the same hand.

Without prejudice

Lead high jab with follow up rear low straight thrust

Again, I’m using the jab to set my attacker up for this hard driving straight punch to the body.

I take care to make sure that my jab is quick and focused. It is always thrown with care.

Without prejudice

Lead Jab with follow up rear high straight thrust

This is very similar to doubling up on the jab. The main difference is that this is just as fast but I find I hit with it a lot harder. The second blow has the full power of the hips driving it into the target.

Without prejudice

Lead Jab with follow up Lead low shovel hook

My lead stops or slows my opponent. It also draws his hands up and/or in. I circle my second blow around to his ribs.

Without prejudice

Lead Jab with Lead high shovel hook

I use this combination to stop my opponent for just a second before circling my second blow around his guard.

Without prejudice

Lead jab with follow up lead arm underhand punch

This is very similar to what I was doing yesterday. The main difference is the finishing blow is an underhand punch to the body.

Without prejudice

Lead Jab with lead overhand punch follow up

The jab is quick but the overhand punch requires that I wind up from the hip. Therefore, in order to land the second punch, I must draw a strong reaction to the jab. Either my opponent is hurt or they are overreacting to it.

This is a powerful and telling combination if it lands.

Without prejudice

High jab low jab follow up

I have found this doubling up on the jab to be very successful. When I want my opponent to raise his hands, I jab to his face. As he raises his hands, I have a clear shot at his body.

Without prejudice

Doubling up on the Jab (to the same target)

I concentrate on snapping the lead hand quickly.

By making this a quick strike, I make sure my opponent either gets hit or has to take the time to defend himself. In either case, I have taken the initiative and I control the fight. This is one (of many) factors leading to a successful defense over my attacker.

Without prejudice