Stationary Low Uppercut Punch to Heavy Bag

This is a rear arm forefist low uppercut thrust done from the low guard position. I use hip torque and the whole thing is done from a forward bow.

Practicing against a heavy bag that doesn’t move well teaches me a lot about whether I’m in the right position or not.

The other thing that I am constantly having to deal with is the recoil. Hitting a heavy bag is not like hitting a person but it does have certain challenges all the same.

Without prejudice

Stationary Thrust Punch to Heavy Bag

All this week I'll be practicing various secondary strikes from the various belt levels leading up to and including first degree black.

This is a rear arm forefist thrust done from the low guard position. I use hip torque and the whole thing is done from a forward bow.

In this drill I’m working the heavy bag once again. I have my bag braced so it moves very little. This drill is all about properly aligning my fist, wrist, arm, etc. When I strike I have to tense up my core and focus properly in order to land the blow effectively without damaging myself.

Without prejudice

Slide in Forehand Knifehand Swing to the Heavy Bag

I tend to practice this as a follow up move. It has a long wind up and a big swing follow through. As a consequence I would rarely apply this in sparing.

Without prejudice

Slide in Overhand Backfist to the Heavy Bag

Even though this strike looks light, it can be either a fight stopper (when properly applied) or it can set up finishing follow up blows.

Without prejudice

Slide in Shovel Hook Thrust to Heavy Bag

Working the heavy bag helps me to kick or strike through my opponent. I find an attack that is aimed about three inches through the bag helps me to improve my ability to perceive distance. The point of contact, the point of finish and the depth of penetration are all called into play here.

Without prejudice

Slide in Ridgehand Swing to Heavy Bag

I have my heavy bag braced so that it doesn’t move much. This is a personal choice. I’ve trained with a bag that moves and I simply prefer one that does not.

Then again, I know that hitting someone who is moving is a different experience from striking an inanimate (and immobile) object.

Without prejudice

Slide in Backhand Knifehand Thrust to Heavy Bag

The nice thing about heavy bag work is the instant feedback. When I hit I notice right away that I’m aligned correctly.

The tricky part is to realize that bag work is not the same thing as hitting a hostile adversary intent upon causing me harm.

Without prejudice

Slide in Lead Thrust Punch to Heavy Bag

This week I am working on shuffle in strikes to the heavy bag.

When I was first learning, I didn’t use the bag much. Even now, I find that I’ll use it about once a week. More than that and I start to push my strikes instead of snapping them out crisply.

If you follow my blog you’ll notice that I will sometimes have an entire weeks worth of videos on bag work. That is because I shoot a week of videos at a time and then release them one day at a time.

Without prejudice

Two Man Angled Block and Counter Punch Drill

The attack is a looping punch to the body. The defense is a fast hard slap down to the arm and a counter punch. The block used here allows the defender to block anywhere across the width of his body.

Without prejudice

Two Man Cross Downward Block and Counter Punch Drill

I noticed that when I edited today’s footage that at one point, Jason’s counter punch starts late and it missed. What isn’t shown in this clip is that I also started a counter punch late and I too, missed.

That is the disadvantage of pausing between the block and the counter punch. Sometimes there is enough time for an attacker to move away of follow up his initial assault with more attacks and maintain the initiative until he is successful.

It also illustrates clearly that this drill is just that: a drill. It is not fighting nor sparring. It is an exercise designed to build confidence in the few moves practiced.

I said earlier this week that this drill was the essence of what this art is all about. I stand by those words. The essence of this drill is about practicing. Even though the counter puncher was late, because no damage was inflicted (although it could have been), more practice can be done.

Without prejudice

Two Man Mantis Block and Counter Punch Drill

The Mantis block merely redirects the incoming punch to the body to the side. It is a subtle block but it must be practiced a lot or it won’t work. This means it has to be practiced both with a partner (who is cooperating) and against an opponent (who is not so cooperative). Only by balancing 'with-and-against' partners, can confidence be built (in both oneself, the technique and the tactics it is used in).

Without prejudice

Two man Outside Block and Counter Punch Drill

There are many ways to attack and many more to defend. At one point I ‘slip’ Jason’s jab. The idea is to be able to switch defenses without thinking.

The concept of a passive draw is literally to entice the attacker to punch at a vulnerable target that appears to be open. In this case the defender leaves his face open. The attacker punches. This punch leaves him vulnerable to a counter attack.

In the drill, all this happens slowly and with great emphasis on control.

Real life is another matter.

Without prejudice

Two Man Inside Hooking Block and Counter Punch Drill

This is very similar to what we were practicing yesterday. Both parties practice a vital part of the art. The attacker must be vigorous and aggressive as must the defender.

The point of this martial arts drill is to build confidence. Confidence in oneself based on slow deliberate effort followed by fast hard yet controlled moves.

The various techniques used here are stepping, striking, blocking etc. The tactics of a single direct attack or a basic block and counter should be interchangeable.

Without prejudice

Kisae Kempo Drill Two Man Rising Block and Counter Punch

This drill is nothing new for this art. The importance of timing and distance are emphasized. So is the placement of a pause between the ‘block’ and the ‘counter punch’.

And yet, it is the very essence of what this art is about. Attacking in a manner that is wholly justified; Defending in a like minded way is what we do when practicing this art.

Without prejudice

Temple Motions

This version of the eighteen temple motions goes back to the mid 1970's when I first learned it.

Without prejudice

Stick 1

Today I was practicing something Moh Kempo stylists call 'Stick 1'. I was practicing it in my basement and the space is a bit cramped so I have to be careful. It made for a modified form (as anyone who knows it will plainly see;-).

Without prejudice

Slide in Kicks of Yellow Belt

I consider the slide in kicks of yellow belt to be the most basic kicks that there are.

I tend to practice them in a 'plant and drill' style. That is to say, I step and then I kick. I don't torque into these moves. There are times when torquing and turning are necessary (just not in this instance).

Without prejudice

Yellow Belt Thrust Punches

I practice the basic thrust punch of Kisae a lot. It has real significance for me. It isn't my only weapon nor is it 'the best weapon I've got'.

None the less, it has real significance for me and I derive real satisfaction from its practice.

Without prejudice

Yellow Belt Primary Blocks

The primary 'slap ' blocks from Kisae are designed as part of draw. The whole point is to get my attacker to commit to a punch to my head or upper torso (solar plexus height or above).

After he punches, I hit his arm. This serves two purposes. I deflect his blow, thus saving me and I am now in a good place to strike him in the head or body before he can strike again.

Without prejudice

Yellow Belt Stances

Today I am demonstrating the most basic stances from Kisae. The forward bow, the front cat, the leading horse and the side cat.

I learned that, "stances were designed to amount to a fluid movement..."...Literally they were pauses in stepping.

I practice them with that thought in mind.

Without prejudice

Free Sparring 2

Sometimes, a bit of lighthearted play can allow new moves to be thrown into the mix. As long as trust and respect flow both ways, this is possible.

Without prejudice

Free sparring 1

In Kisae Kempo, there are two important things to keep in mind about free sparing.

Free sparing is not ‘fighting’; it is an exercise that teaches me the importance of unpredictability. Anything can (and usually does) happen.

The other thing that free sparing teaches me is that any bad habits that have crept into my training become readily apparent.

Without prejudice

'Sticky Hands 2'

‘Sticky hands’ teaches me distance appreciation, balance and focus. Anytime I lose any of these, the results are readily apparent.

Without prejudice

'Sticky Hands 1'

I find the practice of ‘sticky hands’ to be an excellent method of developing sensitivity at close range.

Without prejudice