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After many years of inactivity (physically speaking in the arts), I came across a family friend, who had tried out a Kempo class and said it was a waste of time, and that he didn't learn "nuffin." He said it was a useless art for "self defense." Then, he went on about the UFC, BJJ, etc. Usually, I smile and agree to a point with these people, just to shine them on and avoid the drama and b.s.. However, this one time, I tried some thoughts I've leaned toward.
I asked him what was taught to him on his 1st (and only) lesson. He showed me the opening step out with a cross block (right foot out on elbows). He proceeded with the 3 basic punches, a palm heel, 8 point "blocking" system, 3 basic kicks, and 1/2 mooning (all of which was done laughing about it). He said "See! Useless! Who would deal with punches like this?" "Boxing is better!"
I asked what his perception of self defense was. He said "Two cats squaring off, circling, like this," then proceeded to demonstrate in front of me. I said that this is a fight. He said "yeah." I said no and that he had it all wrong. He said "what?" "what else is there?" "It's two cats going at it!" (again demonstrating)
I said to look at it this way, that fighting and self defense should be seen differently. I agreed that it might come to a square off in some cases, but stressed that self defense happens at a much closer range mostly. He looked at me blankly, with a disbelieving face squint. I said, let's take what you learned piece by piece than put it all together.
The punches, palm, and kicks are all obvious. He nodded. What about the "blocks?" They are not what they seem. He but in saying "yeah. Every block is a strike and strike a block" sarcastically. I said, he was right and why? He scoffed. I said the saying comes from the hidden truth first taught to the foreigners in Okinawa and Japan. Do you really think, that as a culture based on warfare for centuries, the best they would have come up with for a kick defense would be to raise the arm up to an ear and then execute the downward motion as in #7 and #8 blocks? we know to quickly move a hand from origin across to deal with it directly. (so do untrained people) I asked why would this be taught then? He looked puzzled. I said, then it was designed for something else, though it can block a kick. Everything translates. What about #1 and #2 "blocks?" Again, the best these war scholars could view is to move the arm structurally weaker in order to deal with punches and block lower?
I took him and placed him in a self defense situation where he gets attacked (I flicked a couple of shots to his head and he threw his hands up, stepping back/sideways with his right leg to regain balance). I said, there you go. You just did "right foot out on elbows," the opening of a class. Let's go further. I did the same sequence and said for him to add a "palm heel" to push off and re-angle. Then, add a front punch, and another palm heel. Then, while we were still somewhat clinched, grab one of my arms and do a #8 "block," pulling me down into an arm bar set up. Now, do a #3 "block," which hammers the arm for a break and bar. Now, from there execute a #7 "block," which slides up my arm and hammers the face. Now, do a #1 "block," raching up a grabbing the hair or peeling the forehead back. Now, do a #4 "block," hammering my face. Front kick a support knee, then 1/2 in front of my legs, putting me face down to the ground.
We then tried it a few more times, with a little more speed and realism.
There's your opening class in a self defense situation. He looked stunned.
I asked him what was taught to him on his 1st (and only) lesson. He showed me the opening step out with a cross block (right foot out on elbows). He proceeded with the 3 basic punches, a palm heel, 8 point "blocking" system, 3 basic kicks, and 1/2 mooning (all of which was done laughing about it). He said "See! Useless! Who would deal with punches like this?" "Boxing is better!"
I asked what his perception of self defense was. He said "Two cats squaring off, circling, like this," then proceeded to demonstrate in front of me. I said that this is a fight. He said "yeah." I said no and that he had it all wrong. He said "what?" "what else is there?" "It's two cats going at it!" (again demonstrating)
I said to look at it this way, that fighting and self defense should be seen differently. I agreed that it might come to a square off in some cases, but stressed that self defense happens at a much closer range mostly. He looked at me blankly, with a disbelieving face squint. I said, let's take what you learned piece by piece than put it all together.
The punches, palm, and kicks are all obvious. He nodded. What about the "blocks?" They are not what they seem. He but in saying "yeah. Every block is a strike and strike a block" sarcastically. I said, he was right and why? He scoffed. I said the saying comes from the hidden truth first taught to the foreigners in Okinawa and Japan. Do you really think, that as a culture based on warfare for centuries, the best they would have come up with for a kick defense would be to raise the arm up to an ear and then execute the downward motion as in #7 and #8 blocks? we know to quickly move a hand from origin across to deal with it directly. (so do untrained people) I asked why would this be taught then? He looked puzzled. I said, then it was designed for something else, though it can block a kick. Everything translates. What about #1 and #2 "blocks?" Again, the best these war scholars could view is to move the arm structurally weaker in order to deal with punches and block lower?
I took him and placed him in a self defense situation where he gets attacked (I flicked a couple of shots to his head and he threw his hands up, stepping back/sideways with his right leg to regain balance). I said, there you go. You just did "right foot out on elbows," the opening of a class. Let's go further. I did the same sequence and said for him to add a "palm heel" to push off and re-angle. Then, add a front punch, and another palm heel. Then, while we were still somewhat clinched, grab one of my arms and do a #8 "block," pulling me down into an arm bar set up. Now, do a #3 "block," which hammers the arm for a break and bar. Now, from there execute a #7 "block," which slides up my arm and hammers the face. Now, do a #1 "block," raching up a grabbing the hair or peeling the forehead back. Now, do a #4 "block," hammering my face. Front kick a support knee, then 1/2 in front of my legs, putting me face down to the ground.
We then tried it a few more times, with a little more speed and realism.
There's your opening class in a self defense situation. He looked stunned.
?
