Video Testing Protocol

[tampakenpo]

Quick question about how to do the video tests,

The posted instructions indicate to perform each teachnique, form and basic for the test. Does "basic" mean to perform each basic in isolation (e.g. block, strike, kick, etc), or is it referring to the required sets?

Also, do forms and sets need to be done to the front and then to the side the same as the techniques?

I think I know the answers, but not sure so thought it best to get clarification before my first test.

Thank you

Jeff

[administrator]

Jeff,
The requirements listed on the American Kenpo Requirements Sheets are what is required for video tests. You can download these Requirements at:
http://arnis.org/downloads/downloads.htm

Where individual basics and kicks are listed, those are to be performed in isolation. The basics are to be performed in the air to show the complete form, however, many students additionally perform them on targets, like bags, partners and other training equipment. If you have equipment, it is advised to use it to your advantage.

The Techniques, Forms abd Sets are to be performed at the best angle for the camera. Usually, one angle is all that is necessary, however, sometimes you may need to show more than one angle. While rehearsing for your test, try to think how that it may look from the camera's point of view.

Kevin Lamkin
Site Administrator

[tampakenpo]

Thank you. That was precisely what I needed to know.

Jeff

[The Tabasco Kid]

Jeff,
The requirements listed on the American Kenpo Requirements Sheets are what is required for video tests. You can download these Requirements at:
http://arnis.org/downloads/downloads.htm


The requirement sheet lists some items that I do not recall seeing in the workbook or on the DVDs:

Kicks - Rear snap kick, Wheel kick, Roundhouse kick. Is the roundhouse kick the same as taught in TKD?

Stances - Horse (Fighting)


Are blocks and stances to be demonstrated separately or are they covered in performing other parts of the test (Techniques and Sets)?

Finally, my camera does not add a running timestamp on the recorded video. Could I place a clock in a prominent location to show continuity during the test?

[pdavis]

The requirement sheet lists some items that I do not recall seeing in the workbook or on the DVDs:
They are there, you may have to rewatch the forms and techniques videos one more time. Also, you can't rely on the rapid review for this type of information. BTW, I'd love to see a rapid review DVD for testing criteria (i.e. what you need to know all in one place).


Are blocks and stances to be demonstrated separately or are they covered in performing other parts of the test (Techniques and Sets)?
I perform these separately. This shows that you know what the techniques are supposed to look like even if you don't get it quite right during a form.

[administrator]

The requirement sheet lists some items that I do not recall seeing in the workbook or on the DVDs:

Kicks - Rear snap kick, Wheel kick, Roundhouse kick. Is the roundhouse kick the same as taught in TKD?

Stances - Horse (Fighting)

Some of the kicks listed in the Technique Requirement Sheets were not included with the Progressive Kick of Kenpo DVD. The Requirement Sheets are in the current state of testing curriculum, the Kicks of Kenpo DVD was filmed about 2 years prior to the publication of the sheets. The Rear Snap Kick is taught in Scraping Hoof. There is a distinction between the Roundhouse and Wheel Kick. Both are taught in the Kicks of Kenpo DVD, and the roundhouse is different from TKD (from safety and tactical considerations).

Stances - Horse (Fighting)

The Fighting Horse Stance is taught in the Yellow Belt technique DVD.

Are blocks and stances to be demonstrated separately or are they covered in performing other parts of the test (Techniques and Sets)?

The basics listed in Yellow Belt should be executed separately for testing.

Finally, my camera does not add a running timestamp on the recorded video. Could I place a clock in a prominent location to show continuity during the test?

Most digital camcorders no longer give the option of setting the timer. The main reason for the timer was to prevent examiners from performing a technique, stopping the camera to refresh their memory from books and DVDs, taking a coffee break, and then coming back to perform the next technique. Because we have graded such a large number of tests now, it is easy for us to spot when someone is trying to cheat on their exams. A clock in the background is fine, however is it no longer required. What I find most encouraging, is that we have been getting students, like yourself, you tend to 'over-prepare' for promotional exams.

Kevin Lamkin

[The Tabasco Kid]

How should a technique flow at my level? When I go through a technique, Delayed Sword for example, I have this tendency to set in place before moving to the next part.

I'll step back into right neutral bow and execute the right hammering inward block but can't transition into right 45d cat stance without taking a moment to settle down into a solid (knee-bent) stance. THEN I shift weight back to take the cat stance and finish the technique.

When I do this I feel more solidly placed but the technique doesn't feel like it flows like it should. There's no speed there. When I speed it up, it doesn't feel like it's as strong as it should be.

It's not that bad in other techniques. Checking the Storm, for example, is a blast and I feel much better doing it faster, along with Sword and Hammer and Attacking Mace.

Also, for some reason, I really like elbow strikes. I mean *really* like them. Mace of Aggression and Deflecting Hammer are pure joy.

[administrator]

Each techniques DVD lists describes the qualities required for each belt; e.g., Orange-form, Purple-speed, etc. You should practice the techniques to ensure that they do flow. The static phase teaches one move at a time, but you have to connect the movements to make them effective. Give training more time. It sounds as though you are very conscientious, therefore, you will do well over time.
Kevin Lamkin

[The Tabasco Kid]

Each techniques DVD lists describes the qualities required for each belt; e.g., Orange-form, Purple-speed, etc. You should practice the techniques to ensure that they do flow. The static phase teaches one move at a time, but you have to connect the movements to make them effective. Give training more time. It sounds as though you are very conscientious, therefore, you will do well over time.
Kevin Lamkin

I guess what I'm asking is should all the elements in a technique flow through without any pauses at all? If I don't have fractional pauses in some of the yellow belt techniques (e.g. Captured Twigs) , I feel dangerously off-balance or not set enough to deliver the next block or strike with authority.

How does one stay grounded but mobile at the same time?

[administrator]

Try to limit the time you are on one foot and eliminate up and down motion. In other words, speed up your transitions. You should feel as though you are ice-skating and not walking.
Kevin Lamkin

[The Tabasco Kid]

The Fighting Horse Stance is taught in the Yellow Belt technique DVD.

Is it in disc 1 or 2? Disc 1 briefly discusses horse stance but not fighting horse.

[administrator]

The fighting horse stance is identiccal to the neutral bow stance, with the addition of the hands up in a guarded position. We use the term fighting horse stance because it gives the stat of mind of what you are doing. Neutral bow stance does not ellicit a fighting state of mind. The terms refer to the same thing.

While teaching techniques and forms, we use the term neutral bow, to give definition to what your leg position and balance is doing (your arms may be doing other things, pinning, striking, blocking, etc). While teaching freestyle, we refer to the stance as a fighting horse.
Kevin Lamkin

[The Tabasco Kid]

The fighting horse stance is identiccal to the neutral bow stance, with the addition of the hands up in a guarded position.

Huh. I had been leaning towards calling neutral bow with guard up the fighting horse, but figured that "neutral bow means neutral bow, no matter if hands are up or down." Guess I can be a bit too literal sometimes.

Ok, with that last bit clicked into place, I'll be practicing the test requirements in sequence and should be ready some time in July. The tip to think of moving like ice skating really improved my movements. It was a throwback to when I was learning Tomiki Aikido some 20 years ago where the instructor counseled that all foot movements should never break contact with the ground to keep your body moving in only the 2 dimensions you need; bouncing up and down does you no good unless its attached to a technique.

[The Tabasco Kid]

There is a distinction between the Roundhouse and Wheel Kick. Both are taught in the Kicks of Kenpo DVD, and the roundhouse is different from TKD (from safety and tactical considerations).


Was the wheel kick derived from the usual, instinctual response guys have when an attack to the crotch is anticipated? I really didn't notice the similarity until I shifted my legs to keep my young son from careening into me and planting his forehead into my crotch.

[administrator]

That is a tactical benefit. However, the main advantage that a wheel kick has over a roundhouse kick is the protection of the groin. The roundhouse leaves you vulnerable from the beginning of the kick, the wheel kick keep covered throughout most of the kick.

Kevin Lamkin

[The Tabasco Kid]

That is a tactical benefit. However, the main advantage that a wheel kick has over a roundhouse kick is the protection of the groin. The roundhouse leaves you vulnerable from the beginning of the kick, the wheel kick keep covered throughout most of the kick.

Kevin Lamkin

That was my point. When I've seen guys fighting or just messing around, I've always seen at least one of them cock a leg up and then turn to use it as a cover for the groin. Usually, it just gets set back down but I now see planting it back down is a wasted movement. It can be better used to deliver a side snap kick to the other guy's knee or to stomp it down on the arch of their leading foot.

[Tombo]

Some more to think about as you practice these kicks would be their other differences; speed, power, range, and use.

A wheel kick is faster, has less distance to cover and can be used while closer to your opponent. However, you have less power and a shorter range.

A round house kick will have more power (more torque and momentum gain) and a further striking range. However it is slower primarily because it has more ground to cover to reach your target.

From a physiological perspective a roundhouse kick will have a lot more muscle mass sending it on its way with force.

[The Tabasco Kid]

I think this question was answered earlier, but I can't find the reference:

Are belt tests comprehensive tests, covering all items (forms, sets, techniques, kicks, etc) from previous belts + items for the belt for which one is testing?

[administrator]

Yes, all of the belts exams are cummulative. For example, testing for Orange Belt, you will do all of the material from Yellow and Orange. The requirements are listed in our downloads section at www.arnis.org (http://www.arnis.org) and there is section describing testing procedures in the certification section.

Kevin Lamkin

[The Tabasco Kid]

Yes, all of the belts exams are cummulative. For example, testing for Orange Belt, you will do all of the material from Yellow and Orange. The requirements are listed in our downloads section at www.arnis.org (http://www.arnis.org) and there is section describing testing procedures in the certification section.


I didn't see a section that says all prior material must appear on the current test in the requirements listed at http://www.arnis.org/certification/videotest.htm. Section 6 is the only part that mentions techniques per belt and says "Perform all the techniques for the belt that you are attempting as above." but nothing about performing the techniques from prior belts.
So, for Orange belt, the test must show:

Techniques 1-34
Blocking Set 1
Short Form 1 (right side)
Short Form 1 (both sides)
Kicking Set 1
Yellow Belt kicks 1-6
Yellow Belt stances 1-7
Yellow Belt blocks 1-6
Orange Belt kicks 1-14

and the Purple Belt test must show:
Techniques 1-58
Blocking Set 1
Short Form 1 (right side)
Short Form 1 (both sides)
Kicking Set 1
Finger Set 1
Coordination Set 1
Long Form 1
Yellow Belt kicks 1-6
Yellow Belt stances 1-7
Yellow Belt blocks 1-6
Orange Belt kicks 1-14
Purple Belt kicks 1-14

and so on, correct?

[administrator]

That's correct!
Kevin Lamkin

[The Tabasco Kid]

Can do. Can we put all the events together (do all the techniques, followed by all the kicks, stances, and forms & sets) or break it all by belt?

[administrator]

It's best to break it up by belts. Otherwise, you will lose stamina, and therefore, have a weaker execution of the advanced material.
Kevin Lamkin