Training Clusters

[Prometheus]

I have a question on how to practice the training clusters. I will use Cluster 1 below for an example:

Cluster 1
Lead Thrusting Horizontal Spear Hand Strike
Lead Snapping Horizontal Fist Punch
Lead Thrusting Horizontal Fist Punch
Rear Snapping Horizontal Fist Punch
Rear Thrusting Horizontal Fist Punch

Do you do them all in succession once then repeat 10 times per limb? For example standing in a right neutral bow:

Lead Thrusting Horizontal Spear Hand Strike (1)
Lead Snapping Horizontal Fist Punch (1)
Lead Thrusting Horizontal Fist Punch (1)
Rear Snapping Horizontal Fist Punch (1)
Rear Thrusting Horizontal Fist Punch (1)

Then repeat the sequence 9 more times, then switch to a left neutral bow and repeat the sequence 10 times, or do you do 10 of each strike before continuing to the next strike?

Lead Thrusting Horizontal Spear Hand Strike (10)
Lead Snapping Horizontal Fist Punch (10)
Lead Thrusting Horizontal Fist Punch (10)
Rear Snapping Horizontal Fist Punch (10)
Rear Thrusting Horizontal Fist Punch (10)

Then repeat for the left neutral bow. I just need to know to make sure I practice correctly. Thanks.

-Prometheus

[administrator]

We encourage you to be creative on how you train your repetitions. So, if that method feels right for you, then go for it.

I particularly do not like to count how many repetitions I drill. I use a timer and do a specific exercise for an alloted amount of time. So, I would drill cluster#2 for 2 minutes, switch sides, and so on ...
Keep training!
Kevin Lamkin
Administrator

[warrior-scholar]

Prometheus,
I had the same question some time last year. It seems as though practicing the individual strikes 10 times a piece before moving to the next strike works well. It allows you to build a consistent strike before moving on to something else. While you can also build a rhythm doing it the other way, it seems more difficult if you haven't practiced each strike multiple times first. Just a suggestion...
warrior-scholar

[Prometheus]

Thanks, that helped a lot.

[Prometheus]

Are you going to put the Training clusters, sparring drills, grappling drills on DVD? I am a visual person and it helps to see things. Thanks.

[administrator]

Yes, we have a large DVD project that will be filmed through the new two years to complete the initial materials for the Elite-Fighters and the American Kenpo Legacy Systems.



We just finished the DVDs for the Defender Level PCSs. In August, we will release the Guardsman DVDs and a couple of surprises that we are keeping Top Secret! In October, we will release even more. (These are approximate dates).

So, keep motivated and keep training!

Kevin Lamkin
Administrator

[Prometheus]

That is Great news, I am training hard and look forward to the new material. This is my first time doing the distance learning training and I just wanted to thank you guys for helping make it a great experience.

Prometheus

[warrior-scholar]

I just have a few questions concerning the training clusters:

First, in clusters 13-15, 40, 41, and 43 I just want to make sure that when one refers to a heel kick (whether snapping or thrusting) it denotes merely the weapon of the foot making contact. The same would be true of the vertical sole kick. This would be quite different from a hooking heel kick. Also, would the overhead hammering heel kick be an axe kick?

Second, clusters 47- 74 might confuse some students who have not familiarized themselves with the Guardsman idea of Primary and Secondary attacks/weapons. This is how I understand these clusters: Except for a lead thrusting or vertical uppercut, almost any strike off the lead side is considered Primary. Almost any attack off the rear side is considered Secondary because it opens the self-centerline etc. So, in cluster 53 (P S) the hook kick comes off the lead foot and the roundhouse follows off the rear? I think most of the clusters are straightforward, but sometimes it is unclear whether one should plant down after a kick or pull back to the point of origin. For example, in cluster 72 (P S S) should one perform the hook kick off the lead, roundhouse off the rear and PLANT DOWN, then perform the spin side kick. This makes the most sense, but I was just checking. So, if I started with the my left side forward I would hook kick with my left, roundhouse with my rear right (which sets forward and now becomes the primary leg of attack), and then spin to side kick with my left which is my new secondary leg.

Thanks,
warrior-scholar

[administrator]

Warrior-Scholar,

You are correct in your understanding of the term heel kick. When we describe a kick, we use the following terms:
1. the angle of execution
2. method of execution, and
3. anatomy used for striking.

For example a right outward downward diagonal hammering heel kick is a kick using the right foot travelling in an ouwtard downward diagonal away from your self-centerline, using a hammering action with the heel of the foot (also known as an outward axe kick).

Our kicking requirements listed on the elite-fighters web site
http://www.elite-fighters.com/training/praetorium/kicking1.htm is designed for you to be able to not only customize your own kick, but to determine your kicking difficulty level. This scale is being adopted by other systems.

This type of nomenclature is used to prevent confusion between styles. A hook kick to Bruce Lee is what we nickname as a wheel kick. Our heel hook, Bruce Lee called a wheel kick. And there are more confusions when you examine kicks within various kenpo system.

You should also remember that primary strikes originate off of the lead side and secondary off of the rear side. The combinations kicks that you listed are done in an alternating method, unless otherwise noted.

Kevin Lamkin
Administrator

[Maximus]

It is true that training clusters 13-15, 40, 41, and 43 refer to the weapon of the kick. In developing the system, we wished to be as accurate as possible with the naming of strikes/weapons for there are many nicknames and mixed terms throughout the martial art world. For example, a wheel kick and a roundhouse kick are often synonymous terms in most martial art styles; however, in Kenpo they are two very distinct kicks. In the section entitled The Arsenal of Natural Offensive Weaponry, located in the Defender Level Reference Manual, a detailed analysis of weaponry is given. I would strongly recommend that this section be analyzed as it will reveal more information that I can reveal here. For the benefit of answering your question, I will give a brief summary here:

The criteria for naming a weapon is as follows:

Location
-Front
-Rear
-Side
-Right
-Left
(Terms of location may be combined. For example, "right front")

Direction
-Inward
-Outward
-Upward
-Downward
-Forward
-Backward

Angle of Execution
-Vertical
-Horizontal
-Downward Diagonal
-Upward Diagonal
-Clockwise
-Counterclockwise

Method of Execution
-Roundhousing
-Hooking
-Hammering
-Whipping
-Thrusting
-Snapping
-Raking
-Slicing

Weapon
(Refer to the list of Natural weapons in the Defender Level Reference Manual)

Term
-Punch
-Strike
-Kick
-(etc.)

So, for example you may have a Right Inward Horizontal Roundhousing Instep Kick.

Right--LOCATION
Inward--DIRECTION
Horizontal--ANGLE OF EXECUTION
Roundhousing--METHOD OF EXECUTION
Instep--WEAPON
Kick--TERM

Thus, if you change or alter any of the six terms, you will have an entirely different kick.

(One brief note on nicknames. A nicknames such as an "axe" kick in place of an Inward Overhead Hammering Heel Kick is fine as long as the proper method of the kick/strike is completely understood by the person with whom you are communicating.)

You are also correct in stating that most (but not all) primary kicks are off the lead side. Here you are observing the APPLICATION of a particular weapon. For further information on the application of these methods, please refer to the Enforcer Level Reference Guide--Advanced Combat Tactics and Training.

Keep up the good work!

Maximus