Testing for your next belt

Techniques and Kata

Kenpo Karate Techniques (as I’m coming to understand them)

Techniques give us a way to learn new basic moves, to develop moves we've mastered, and to study the ways those moves can change and flow based on whatever circumstance leaps out at you. Initially we learn these techniques as written. Then we work with them to see how they work, then we try different ways to make them work. They are never finished. Each is an 'ideal' situation, one beautiful response to a specific situation. You can get a lot out of practicing them that way, making sure the attacking student is following a choreographed move. But that can lead you into a terrible trap. Deal with whatever the attacking student gives you. One of the worst habits developed by many martial artists is to demand that the attacker stand in precisely the correct position, step precisely through on an exact toe-heel line, and strike to a precisely defined target. This can lead to lovely choreography and utterly useless work. Practicing these techniques, attack and defense, exactly as written is a safe and orderly way to begin. Any real usefulness they have will occur in a place neither safe nor orderly. If the attacking student makes a mistake, always take that as a gift and make your first response to what actually happened. Then you can discuss whatever needs talking about. These techniques are an excellent introduction and a pleasure to perform. Any careful study of them can last decades.

My goal when I teach, is to help each individual reach their highest potential. In my instruction, I do not ask each student to mechanically perform each move. I won’t stop a student to ask them to move 5 centimeters to the right – instead I help each student learn and master the language of kenpo, and then adapt it to their own needs and strengths to get the best results.

Kenpo Karate is a language. It’s built up of basics like stances, blocks, punches and kicks that build into movement that soon becomes part of your physical vocabulary. Self defense rises out of that vocabulary – it becomes second nature. You learn how to protect yourself against weapons and a variety of situations.

This is reflects what I learned from Larry Tatum, what I read and observed of Ed Parker, Paul Wood, Brian Parker, Scott Gonzalez, Lanelle Scott, Joe Stronsick, and many other students. This is my understanding and is not anyone’s final word.

Initially we learn these techniques as written. Then we work with them to see how they work, then we try different ways to make them work. They are never finished.

You don’t need to read the whole page to get the technique.

Each technique is described three times-
(1) as a brief description
(2) broken down in skeletal, step-by-step form
(3) in a discussion of any connections, tricks, insights and observations.

Use the typefaces are to help you scan more quickly:
All stances are in bold
Each foot change is in italics
Each strike is underlined

I have not included the final cross-out of each technique because every cross-out is ideally the same, a front crossover step out step through to the safest area possible, probably at 90º to the attacker’s back. But your environment will determine what is possible and what is safe and you should make that determination each time.

The techniques are listed in the order usually taught. The numbers in parenthesis are those required of our junior kid belts. A child must know as many techniques as they are years old. Thus, a five-year must learn (1) through (5).