Originally posted by kenpo_cory
Well all this master key stuff must be over my head cause the only thing I see being described is basics, how to put them together, and some pretty nifty descriptions of the formulation faze.
I think you may be closer than you think.
I consider a master key technique to be the base technique from which you can formulate to create other techniques. I think that this is what Mr. Conaster just described very well. It's what I called the "Plus and Minus", with the zero point being the master key tech that you started with in it's 'text-book' phase and the -1/+1, -2/+2...etc...being the infinite number of techs that you can formulate from that original tech. Obviously a "Five Swords +1" would more closely resemble it's master key tech than say a "Five Swords +7" would. The crux of keeping this kind of infinite forulation 'useful' is to keep each version bound by logic, ie; correct principles/concepts leading to applicability.
See in my oppinion calling this a "Master Key technique" isn't very useful as it can be said of absolutely any technique as you can formulate from any tech you like. Beuty of Kenpo I think! I'd much rather just call it "formulation base technique". Keeps the two very different concepts separate.
You are also right in saying that a Master Key move is talking of basics, very correct. Mind you even the most "Advanced" technique that we have is just basics expressed in a more refined and sophisticated arrangement. So if we elevate or improve the way we view a basic, the rest of the system is elevated or improved correspondingly.
Mr. Conaster defined as Master Key Moves (I think) as basics that can be used in more than one situation with equal impact/practicality. To me, mind you I'm no "Kenpo Senior" as Mr. Conaster is...I'm just a kid from Kansas with Kenpo ideas....anyway, to me these are better defined as "Master Key Basics". It's a useful way of looking at a technique...but again...ANY basic can be seen this way depending upon the circumstance. It's a paralax...all depends on how you view it.
To me, and the way my instructors have always taught it to me, a Master Key Movement is an even smaller component of our techniques... it's like a root movement that most, if not all, of our other related technique flow from. They are arranged in catagories, just as basics are in the infinite insights books (stances, foot maneuvers, blocks, strikes, kicks...etc.)..but each catagory has one "Master Key Movement" that unlocks each catagory...ie; it is the root movement that initiates all of the others.
So Blocks: Inward block. It's angle is used in all blocks.
Punches: Inverted fist / aka; upper-cut punch. It is the first movement that almost all other strikes must first pass through. (more on this one in a bit)
Kicks: front knee position. All of our kicks can and probably should move through this position first.
Stances: Neutral Bow. From this stance you can move to any other stance very quickly and with little modification/adjustment.
In my consideration really I don't even want to refer to the inward block as much. But I do teach my students that it's a master key movement...but later I teach them this:
For the arms, the inverted punch / uppercut punch is the most important! WHY?
The sequence of muscle firing is the same for blocks and strikes. It is the initial phase of motion for most any strike and/or block.
It also replaces the inward block (or is at least it's equal) because it's end position, if executed properly, is the exact same angle that we are looking for in the inward block...so it teaches the same angle as an inward block.
These are the essence of why I feel that the inverted punch / uppercut is the master key movement for the arms! If I sense my attackers motion and initiate an inverted punch, I can alter it's motion into most any block or strike (after all the only difference between the two is intent, right)...thus it is the root motion of all of my arm techniques.
So why still teach the inward block as a master key movement?
First off... it still is one, just that the inverted punch, when understood correctly, accomplishes more.
Secondly, when done at the phonetic/solid phase of motion it teaches the student proper sequencing of muscles for many forward moving techniques (Lats, Delts, Triceps, wrist flexors...in that order) moving from the center of the body outward, culminating in a faster...more powerful technique. This understanding and conditioning benefits many other similar motions.... start at the core and work outward to the weapon, bringing everything to a head at the proper depth of impact.
To me, a master key technique is to molecular science
as a master key movement is to nuclear or quantum physics.
The molecule "Hydrogen" can be used in BILLIONS of combinations to make Many different forms of matter.
But a Neutron, electron or proton (don't go off on quarks and neutrinos...I took physics and I'm not looking back) is used to make Hydrogen, as well as carbon and oxygen...etc.
Again, hope I'm being clear.
Challenge and question....
Your Brother
John