Originally posted by WhiteTiger
Forgive me Doc, but your replys offer no specific information or explainatons, only vague insinuation that these concepts are too complex for most kenpoists to understand. Judging by the posts in this thread, noone seems either willing or able to offer any explaination to this concept, so you may be right. But as someone with 20 years experience in martial arts and a graduate degree in engineering, there are few scientific principles that I have come across that I don't have at least a limited understanding of. Everything I have learned in kenpo thus far follows established scientific precepts, on the surface this "Slapping" seems to contridict them, lacking a detailed explaination it is impossible to make a determination.
If you could provide an example of the application and how the mechanics work, that might help several people understand it better.
Fair enough and your points are well taken, but consider this: The basic laws of engineering and Newtonian Physics do not translate to human anatomical movement or action beyond a very superficial level, and the knowledge of human anatomical physics is almost non-existent in the martial arts. It is alive and well however in martial science. Some have taken to marketing the term, but few actually rise to the level of understanding necessary to call what they do a true "science."
I am more than sure you are an intelligent, educated, and competent individual. But the science of human movement, especially in martial interaction is extremely specialized and emcompasses a myriad of physical sciences all connected through the unstable human body. It is so specialized it cannot be learned through traditional formal education methods. However formal education can enhance the process.
Human dynamics deal with a complex living machine with hundreds of parts and connecting mechanisms and sensors that is/are in a constant state of flux and adjustment from one microsecound to the next. Also the body is not a solid so certain Newtonian Physical Laws applied to solid objects do not necessarily translate to human dynamics. The knowledge is passed from one to another. Take note that in professional athletics, most great coaches have no physics degrees yet have the ability to teach the dynamics of human physics at the highest level. Information accumulated over years of interaction with other teachers and coaches. The ones that excel develop the most effective methodologies.
A discussion here is like trying to tell someone how to technically perform a gymnastics "running round off flip flop to a pike and split." The variations are so great it is impossible to create "hard rules" of execution, and I've tried since the early seventies to write down my own lessons with some, albeit limited success.
Consider that the human body evolved under the weight of gravity or a constant unyielding resistence. Therefore the human skeleton and its structural integrity is inter-depedent on this resisting factor to achieve maximum efficiency and regidity.
But the human body as a machine has a unique "living" capability beyond the mechanical machine. A human body has the ability to function "inefficiently" and does so as a normal part of its everyday function. This is what allows humans to exhibit fluid movement and allows the machine to perform things "incorrectly" as well as correctly. But the human body is only supposed to momentarily slip into its inefficient mode for the sake of certain movement, and return immediately to a strong and efficent mode to prevent injury to the machine.
Repetitive inefficient movement (improper training) produces significant injury or "breakdowns" to the machine. This is why, absent blunt force trauma and externally induced hyperextended activity, the body can function for many years without "wearing out."
Unfortunately modern martial arts have been marketed around blunt force trauma and expeditious physical movement for "quick" acquisition of some functional skills in violation of human anatomy principles creating ignorant "Counter Anatomy Applications." Most teach asthetically drawing on "how" they think something should look, instead of "how" something should be properly executed relative to human anatomy.
The human body must dictate how all movements are executed for long term success and the ultimate development of "internal energy" and long term mechanical supremacy. Over the years I've seen so many people in and out of kenpo tear their bodies apart executing improper movements. Double hip replacement surgery, shoulder surgeries, knee and back injuries are rampant, all through improper dynamic movement that destroys rather than enhances the human machine.
This is also why when things are learned impropely, it doesn't take long for you to "lose" the ability to perform through inactivity or age. Proper anatomical movement sufficiently learned lasts a lifetime, even with extended inactivity. It is also why some "old men" seem to demonstrate significant speed and power with a minimum of movement beyond the younger more musclebound student.
A simple experiment for you.
Stand in a horse stance
Execute an outward elbow to the side
lock it out and have someone gradually
push on it counter direction to the strike.
The results will be a gradual collapse and movement of the upper body until the stance, elbow, and upper body give way to a lack of structural integrity (for a variety of reasons).
Then let's execute the elbow again, but this time have the arm that is executing the outward elbow, "slap" the "opposite" shoulder and "slide" your arm across your body to execute the elbow.
Have someone push again. You should experience a significant increase in strength induced by proper structural integrity of the elbow and body and a directing of certain energy.
With proper training the human body responds tremendously and there is no loss of speed in the execution and efficiency and effectiveness reach maximum human potential.
The human body is stronger than steel and fragil as an egg from moment to moment. The secret is to be able to identify and create the moment you desire in yourself and your opponent and capitalize on it.
Tell me how the experiemnt goes.
Thank you for your intelligent interaction.
Ya think?
