SL4 Clips
- Thread starter MJS
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OP
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Here's the Alternating Maces clip Dr. Crouch referenced in his post:
http://www.youtube.com/v/xAa7I0r2bOg&hl=en
Somebody show me how to embed them
Embedding 101:
When you go to youtube, and are viewing the clip, you should see something like this:
Now take everything after the = sign and put it between [yt] and [/yt]
So it'll go something like this
[yt]tDG5WqZiYZw[/yt]
Just like you quote parts of posts here, except you're using yt instead of quote.
Did all that make sense? LOL!
Last edited by a moderator:
IWishToLearn
3rd Black Belt
[yt]8r5RIC2Zcx8[/yt]
Another Sword of Doom clip.
Another Sword of Doom clip.
IWishToLearn
3rd Black Belt
[yt]NaT1uAMg7yg[/yt]
And a Delayed Sword.
And a Delayed Sword.
marlon
Master Black Belt
JamesB
Green Belt
Hi,
the clips in question demonstrate beginner-level SL-4 techniques. That's my instructor in the clips (Kevin Mills).. training under Chapel in LA. He asked me to post the clips up for his new site www.sl4europe.com
It looks like Doc and/or others haven't seen this thread yet, so I'll attempt to explain what I perceive to be happening in these clips. Note that I don't know what the focus of the lesson was in these clips, so I will explain with my own (limited) understanding.
The 'hitting after the attack' has three components as I understand: A one-legged stance with an 'upward forward index' that looks kind of like a waiter holding his hand under a tray. The spare hand BAMs the opposite shoulder providing structure to the posture. The second component is a twist stance with an outward horizontal palm-heel, again with a shoulder BAM. The last stance is a neutral-bow with a braced-index position. And of course fluid and controlled transition between each stage.
Using this transition has several purposes. The first is to teach a more specific 'cover out' to all belt-levels. In comparion, the standard kenpo cover-out usually comprises a front cross-over with the legs, but shows no detail using the upper body - this is what most people have been taught and I see this every place I go so I assume it to be pretty standard.
The SL-4 cover-out, in contrast, teaches specific uses of the arms and hands in conjunction with the front cross-over. The postures of the arms as the feet cross over add stablity to the one-legged, twist and neutral-bow stances as they transition between each other. It's really effective, with the whole body (of the defender) becoming much stronger/stable because of the placement of the arms. It's easily provable that the postures work, if you (all) are interested I could attempt to describe it better but would require the assistance of Doc/Bode. Anyway that's reason #1 for you.
The second purpose of the hand movements is to provide attacking options even after the technique has been completed. Rather than transitioning away with a cross-over, we could quite easily continue the forward assault with the front-cross-over. The first strike could hit on the neck-line under the jaw or to the side of the cheek, causing muscle reassignment and a negative body posture. The second strike (palm-heel) strikes to the nerve cavity activated by the first strike. The braced index then provides the defensive posture if required.
And the whole sequence can be utilized if the attacker is chasing after you... it's a way to retreat and regain your structure whilst having someone grappling you.. so even in the one-legged stance the grappler (with his arms around your upper body) will be unable to compromise the structural integrity of the body.
Hope that gives a better insight into what is happening here. Please note that I have only recently begun studying the SL4 101 material so I may be a little 'off' in some of my descriptions
cheers,
JamesB
Green Belt
Hi,
you are correct in your thoughts - but the movements are designed not just to realign the body, but to optimally align it prior to striking, to ensure the strikes are as powerful and effective as the body will allow. Yes you could apply broken rhythm and different timing/breathing signatures but that's not the focus of the yellow-belt material being worked on in the clips.
The 'big stomping' movement is actually a PAM (Platform Aligning Mechnism) rather than a BAM (Body Aligning Mechanism). PAMs are performed by the legs and align the lower platform, whereas BAMs utilize the hands and align the upper platform. The PAM shown in the clip is not a heavy stomp, but rather a deliberate lifting and planting of the foot, emphasising the placement of the heel of the foot to provide structural integrity.
cheers,
JamesB
Green Belt
If you study the clips closely you can see that the hands make contact with each other. Take the third clip (sword and hammer). The first move is to index the head and survive the initial assault (aggressive grab to the shoulder). This is accomplised by executing a distinctive rising forearm index (might have the terminology wrong there). It ends with the right fist parallel, and facing palm-down to the ground, with the forearm at shoulder height. In conjunction with this move the left hand BAMs the right shoulder providing structure to this posture.
The left hand BAM also attacks the top of the attacker's hand in what looks like a pinning movement (so the BAM does two things here... at least
) . This affects (and breaks down) the grip strength in the attacker's arm and forces him into a negative body posture.The left hand then continues it's circle and makes contact with the inside side of the closed right fist, and forms a palm heel... this whole posture is called a 'braced index'. The right hand is the 'index', and the left hand is the 'brace'. You can see this posture at the top of www.sl4europe.com ;-)
The braced-index has multiple uses:
1. It provides structure to the upper body and is an 'anti grapple mechanism' (AGM). So if an attacker were to grapple with you whilst standing up, he would be severely restricted in his options.
2. It makes subsequent striking with the 'index' arm more powerful because of the structure that is gained by creating the posture in the first place. Kind of like a sophisticated way to cock your weapon prior to striking - it makes it more powerful.
After the handsword (remember this is sword+hammer) the striking arm returns back to the braced index position as we wait for the attacker to stagger back and we reingage and strike his lower center-line with the hammer-fist.
Just a more sophisticated version of the familiar sword+hammer technique
cheers,
If you study the clips closely you can see that the hands make contact with each other. Take the third clip (sword and hammer). The first move is to index the head and survive the initial assault (aggressive grab to the shoulder). This is accomplised by executing a distinctive rising forearm index (might have the terminology wrong there). It ends with the right fist parallel, and facing palm-down to the ground, with the forearm at shoulder height. In conjunction with this move the left hand BAMs the right shoulder providing structure to this posture.
The left hand BAM also attacks the top of the attacker's hand in what looks like a pinning movement (so the BAM does two things here... at least
The left hand then continues it's circle and makes contact with the inside side of the closed right fist, and forms a palm heel... this whole posture is called a 'braced index'. The right hand is the 'index', and the left hand is the 'brace'. You can see this posture at the top of www.sl4europe.com ;-)
The braced-index has multiple uses:
1. It provides structure to the upper body and is an 'anti grapple mechanism' (AGM). So if an attacker were to grapple with you whilst standing up, he would be severely restricted in his options.
2. It makes subsequent striking with the 'index' arm more powerful because of the structure that is gained by creating the posture in the first place. Kind of like a sophisticated way to cock your weapon prior to striking - it makes it more powerful.
After the handsword (remember this is sword+hammer) the striking arm returns back to the braced index position as we wait for the attacker to stagger back and we reingage and strike his lower center-line with the hammer-fist.
Just a more sophisticated version of the familiar sword+hammer technique
cheers,
The braced index was not described to me as an AGM itself, but as a depth control mechanism. I have learned one AGM and it does start from this index position.
JamesB
Green Belt
that could very well be true, I get confused with a lot of the terminology
depth-control is certainly one of the applications of the braced-indexcheers,
Doc
Senior Master
G.C.M. - Grapple Control Mechanism, is the correct term.
Doc
Senior Master
[yt]NaT1uAMg7yg[/yt]
And a Delayed Sword.
This thread helps bolster my position about teaching complex physical mechanisms through a video media. It is simply not possible. It however is possible to use the media as personal video notes to support solid in-person instruction.
I'll address several issues in this particular video clip with Prof. Rod Perez, and brown belt Steve "Stix" DeLollis.
The initial movement of the arms, (and more subtle and invisible) the hands, as well as footwork, is to Survive The Initial Assault. That is; grabs do not occur in a physical vacuum. There is always a vicarious physical effect of an expeditious, and aggressive grab or seizure.
In this instance in an effort to grab quickly and aggressively before the victim can react, the attacker actually strikes with the open hand "heel palm" and significant body momentum to the chest, before closing the hand to seize clothing material.
In my experience and lessons, this is simply the way grabs happen in reality. The victim is not static, nor does he allow someone to simply walk up to him and carefully seize his clothing without affecting his body until after the grab. There is significant energy brought to the circumstances before the seizure actually happens in realistic scenario training.
Suggestion: Have someone practice aggressively grabbing and pulling you as quickly as they can, while you stand with eyes closed, and note the body reactions. You should feel your arms and hands "jerk," your hips move rearward, and the effect of the strike to the chest, makes you take a step rearward to "catch" your balance.
The hand and footwork is an extension of the physical effects of the Startle Reflex that will result from an unexpected physical intrusive of personal space. Caught "off guard" as the scenario suggest, the hands will reflexively be drawn to the area of contact, with the arms and elbows retreating to protect the torso. The footwork is induced by the physical contact of the aggressive grab. That is, you are to a certain extent been "struck and pushed" before the grab, and your body will take a step rearwards to regain balance and reflexively stabilize its platform.
So in summation of the initial action of the attacker, it will reflexively create; the hands up position, and the initial stabilizing step rearward.
From that position, we take an additional step rearward with a PAM, (Platform Aligning Mechanism), and Index the hands and arms to complete the stabilizing process of our lower and upper body, and to join them together creating total structural integrity, as we prepare for the Initial Retaliation action. Additionally, the extra step forces the attacker to move with you in reaction, and this will assist in misaligning him, and place him in a "shields down" physical state. Noting there is a physical difference between "action versus reaction."
Keep in mind the scenario is specifically designed for a grab, and not an attempted grab. If you were aware enough to anticipate the attempted grab we would simply strike him first, or at the least not allow him to make physical contact. This is a bone of contention in many Kenpo self-defense scenario interpretations that teach a simple "move first" mindset, that unfortunately ignores the reality that human beings in close proximity to each other are not always going to be "prepared" to defend against such actions. Although the autonomic nervous system monitors our body and personal space from one jiffy-second to the next utilizing various body sensors, it may be overwhelmed and "ignore" certain actions as it rolls back sensitivity to adjust to its current environment. That is, how you react standing in the middle of an empty field where you are unaware of the presence of others, is different from walking down the street in New York during rush hour. On the one, you would probably jump and jerk with heart racing and blood pumping with a momentary "fright" reflex. The other because of the constant noise, and volume of people in close proximity brushing and touching us unintentionally, the sensors would adjust. Otherwise we would take on the appearance of some type of an epileptic seizure as we are standing in line at Disney World.
This is also the mechanisms of human anatomy that "pickpocket" thieves use to distract the body sensors with one action so it will "ignore" their true intentions. Magicians and performers use this methodology as well by touching and bumping people while talking to distract the sensors, as they remove your watch unnoticed or perform a "trick." All of these things come under a component Mr. Parker and I made extensive study of over the years called, the Psychology of Confrontation.
So for those who insist on a "move first" approach, my answer is a simple one. In human anatomy, it is not physically possible under the majority of circumstances, and when it is possible it is a small minority of circumstances in a civilized society. Standing in the middle of the jungle is another story.
(Note the amount of verbiage necessary to simply explain the attack and the victim reaction.)
So here we are; Attacker is "extended physically" reacting to our reactions to his Initiated Assault with his weight shifted to one side. His torso is disassociated at the pelvic girdle, and his own reactions will assist in this. The attacker is holding on unbalanced, and we have recovered and are very balanced structurally and prepared for the next action offensively or defensively. We will address our offensive reaction. (After Surviving The Initial Assault, I teach our actions are offensive not defensive.)
From our Indexed arm position, we move through the Indexes to a strike to the head of the humerus of the shoulder that corresponds to L-1, as we cross the visual cortex sensor to "occupy" his PNF (Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation) Sensors and physically break him down.
(This is one of the reasons for what may appear to be exaggerated movement). All big circles are not bad.
This is done with a BAM Body Alignment Mechanism to your right shoulder, as your left forearm PINS his hand and arm.
The strike will cause the weight to shift to the right leg as it collapses, (it may be imperceptible and internal but does occur), and grip strength of the seizing hand will be compromised.
From here we Pressure Check his shoulder and control depth with our right hand, as we step forward with a Gauging (Front) kick between his legs affecting the Pelvic Girdle and possible striking CV-1.
After the kick, the left hand occupies the Visual Cortex Sensors and right visual quadrant, by moving to an Index Position above the attackers right shoulder.
The right hand now Braces the left hand creating a momentary GCM, and provides Anatomical Resistance to align the right arm with the rest of the structure, before unleashing a devastating primary hand sword strike with a BAM, to the right side of the neck at the created posture, and the required angle to LI-18.
The cross and cover incorporate Exit Indexes to control depth should it be necessary. We have no anatomically unsound postures when executing, therefore students are admonished to always practice sound body mechanics regardless of circumstances. Further at higher levels of execution of this Default Technique, we purposely insert grappling assaults throughout the technique sequence, and at the end to insure structural efficacy at all stages of the confrontation.
The representation here is a beginning scenario execution. Although students may not be given all of the reasons for every execution, (it can become information overload), they will execute the same and continually be effective even as they begin to understand, and as we move the technique to even higher levels of execution.
The above information is only a shell of the information in this scenario. The reason techniques are taught "old school" inflexible is to preserve the "Knowledge Bank" that scenarios are supposed to be, create platforms for moving to advanced levels, create internal energy through proper body mechanics, etc, all while providing effective functional tools. There are no "what if's" because those minor possibilities are either addressed in the physics of the Default technique itself at some level, or another similar scenario teaching vehicle taught concurrently or at later stages. Either way, students are always functional, no matter where they are in their training, whether beginner, intermediate or advanced.
Yeah, I'm back from he U.K.
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Welcome back Sir!! Awesome post! :asian:
Thanks for taking the time to write this detailed explanation!
On the one hand, this is a good point that so many people seem to miss. (In my experience, it seems like most people miss the dynamics of this matter.) On the other hand, the attacker's second hand in this scenario seems to be dedicated to insuring that the lint in his pocket isn't disturbed during the assault. My point is, the defender seems to have a relatively lengthy preparation time, setting his stance and raising his arms high so they can come down with force--lengthy, that is, in comparison to how long it'd take the attacker to throw a punch/knee/head butt/etc. Getting your stance is hardly avoidable if you're knocked back--you need your feet under you--but I'd think I'd want a hand or two up to deflect an incoming punch ASAP.
On the one hand, this is a good point that so many people seem to miss. (In my experience, it seems like most people miss the dynamics of this matter.) On the other hand, the attacker's second hand in this scenario seems to be dedicated to insuring that the lint in his pocket isn't disturbed during the assault. My point is, the defender seems to have a relatively lengthy preparation time, setting his stance and raising his arms high so they can come down with force--lengthy, that is, in comparison to how long it'd take the attacker to throw a punch/knee/head butt/etc. Getting your stance is hardly avoidable if you're knocked back--you need your feet under you--but I'd think I'd want a hand or two up to deflect an incoming punch ASAP.
Doc
Senior Master
I understand your concerns. However, the Psychology Of Confrontation Study addresses this issue in the Attacker Escalation of Intent. In this scenario the initial intent of the attacker has to be intimidation, and limited control. Recognize the grab necessitates the attacker be close enough to strike initially, if that was his only goal. Therefore, if that was his initial desire, he could launch the punch unabated just as the grab. Clearly in this scenario he is grabbing to intimidate and test the reaction of the victim. How the victim reacts will affect the next action of the attacker, and how quickly it comes.
In the scenario I teach, the reaction of the the victim actually slows the reaction time of the attacker, by assuming a non-threatening posture while surviving and aligning the body.
What the attacker sees when he initially attacks is a guy who reacts as anticipated and steps back, with his arms down and out, assuming a posture that appears to be benign. This alone will set him up for the initial retaliation and elongate his Perceptual and Mental Speed, thus negating his opportunity to utilize Physical Speed until it's too late. Once that process has begun, the opportunity to engage the strike with the unpinned hand is either diminished, or cancelled by the technique actions in over-riding or occupying the attacker's sensors.
JamesB
Green Belt
Ah, I get it--if he wanted to grab-and-punch he'd be doing that more-or-less together anyway (and pulling in rather than pushing back as you had indicated previously). OK, makes sense!
I see the reasoning. (I think many people using this assault will likely be too drunk to have meaningful perceptual speed anyway!) Is this technique intended to be completed as demonstrated once started (assuming nothing goes wrong, as it always does), or if he tries to disengage do you scale back the response? Of course I imagine it depends on a lot of things--does he have a buddy behind you, is he 8" and 60# bigger than you, etc.
marlon
Master Black Belt
Doc
Senior Master
Excellent question sir. All of the techniques have a point after Surviving The Initial Assault, that allows a de-escalation.
However, many operate on an "Assumption of Failure" Mentality by suggesting they are "over-skilled." That is, the prevailing view is to go to the next move in the technique sequence, if the first doesn't work. Some have characterized this process as "over-kill," when in reality it is "under-skilled."
It has promoted a rapid fire delivery with no regard to positive or negative effects of execution, nor the reaction of the attacker which may in fact negate many of the movements. People rarely stand still and let someone beat the crap out of them. However, it does look cool to the unknowledgeable, but people tend to fight back.
This is more than apparent when the move that fails is your initial block or some other surviving mechanism necessary to even begin the process of retaliation. The necessity to utilize 15 moves for a right punch suggests there is a lack of skill and ability.
Philosophically, we suggest an "Assumption Of Success" perspective. That is responses are approached with the idea that effective execution are mandated skills necessary to Survive The Initial Assault, and students may not move forward until successful skills are demonstrated at each "Time Signature" marker of the technique sequence.
Every technique is designed to end the confrontation upon the Initial Retaliation. The rest of the technique is still available in rare circumstances that you would need it, but more importantly, all elements of the techniques are capable of standing alone in execution, and presents the technique as a case study in principles in teaching, and a knowledge repository to be desciphered as skill and knowledge grow. The knowledge and skill level of a technique may rise with no appreciably detectable change in execution.
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