MJS said:
Thats correct. I didn't start this thread to discuss college degrees, but instead to ask some questions about the variations in the material.
So...back to the original question.
Again, I have only had the chance to work with two of Kenpos Seniors at seminars. I'm hoping that those that have had the chance to experience some of the other Seniors can give some feedback as to any differences that they may have seen.
Mike
Mike...
You've probably heard us yap about alignment and breaking down the other guys structure. In the alternating maces vid, look for some of the following:
1. At the very beginning of the vid, you can see the poor uke dropping rapidly to a light bop to an acupuncture point inside the upper forearm. Notice the effect it has of tipping him forward and to the side...watch it a couple times rigth in a row, and notice what happens to A) his right shoulder first, B) left shoulder 2nd, C) spine in the neck and upper back D) spine where it intersects with the pelvis, E) balance on his feet (weight distribution). I call this being shaken or pulled out of your tree or saddle. Basically, misaligned.
2. Docs left hand comes into view, RELEASING the attackers right wrist...fingers to the inside of the contact points just below the palm. The carpal row is flattened, further setting the stage for misalignment. Doc pauses long enough to let the guy regain his composure a bit...meaning, he doesn't keep thwacking away on the guy while he's fubared like this. Courtesy to demo dummy. In SL4, that misaligned state is EXACTLY when you want to hit 'em.
3. Rather than just launching into the backnuckle as the last move, he inserts a check of sorts under the jaw with his forearm. If you don't like the guy, that's a solid impact that rattles the noggin.
4. On the backfist, watch the rear hand come up, as if a billiards or croquet bunt that sends the backfist forward. Proprieceptive check/index that helps Doc realign prior to bashing the poor lad.
On several occasions Doc has posted that the main diff with SL4 is not the "what", but the "how". The read for alternating maces in a text format would be almost the same as elsewhere...inward hammering block over the top of the attackers arms, followed by punch to bod, (insert rising forearm check-like thingy), backnuckle to beneath ear. What differs is the small stuff that goes on WHILE you're doing the WHAT.
How does the inside downward hammering block strike the attackers arms? Specifically, where? What did that block do on the way to it's final destination in order to recruit maximum muscle engagement (not caught on film is the pre-positioning of the block...rather than point-of-origin to point-of-contact, it comes from behind like a soft ball pitch that starts low and to the side, then comes up near the ear before descending on that pressure point).
Training with Doc is a brain drain...takes a lot to keep up with the occasional data dumps he goes off on, which is why training is methodical, slow, intentional. To engrain the subtle HOW differences into the performance of the physical techniques.
There are several AM vids out there...as a matter of fact, there's a thread running on alternating maces on kenpotalk, and the consensus seems to be that its for teaching stance changes, dimensional zones, etc. That's more of the WHAT. Dissect video of practitioners whenever you can, and look for subtleties of motion in the delivery that inform you about the detail they pay to HOW. This, unfortunately, can be easier said than doen. Like the man said...if you don't know what you're looking for, you may well miss it. I may well miss some neat stuff coming from other models, becaue I'm watching to see if they index or not.
Lotsa cool stuff out there.
Dave
