Forms in Kenpo.

Thanks guys, now I know it. The school where I trained, used to call it "Star Block Set".

--Dave
:asian:
 
Speaking of kenpo forms, does anyone know of a Web site that has video clips of American Kenpo forms? I've only ever seen one or two kenpo forms, and would be interested in seeing more.

Thanks,

Cthulhu
 
Dennis Nackford's website has some forms in Real Player format. You have to register to get into the video section but he's got most of the forms there. Lawrence Carrol does a good job on the forms he demonstrates.

http://www.nackordkarate.com/

Something else that looked interesting, didn't have time to check it out but I included it here anyway.

http://martialarts.about.com/cs/instructio11/
 
Originally posted by Robbo

Dennis Nackford's website has some forms in Real Player format. You have to register to get into the video section but he's got most of the forms there. Lawrence Carrol does a good job on the forms he demonstrates.

http://www.nackordkarate.com/

Something else that looked interesting, didn't have time to check it out but I included it here anyway.

http://martialarts.about.com/cs/instructio11/

Thanks for the links! I just may have to register to the Nackford site.

Cthulhu
 
...and of course, when I try to register to the Nackford site, I get an error message.

Sigh.

I fired an e-mail off to the site Webmaster, so we'll see if they can fix the problem.

Cthulhu
 
Originally posted by D.Cobb

Thanks guys, now I know it. The school where I trained, used to call it "Star Block Set".

--Dave
:asian:

That's what it was called when I first learned it, Star Block.

:asian:

Chuck
 
That's what's it's currently called where I train. Required for
yellow belt.
 
Here is a good example of the type of evolution that American Kenpo has experienced throughout the entire system over the last 50 some odd years, now lets examine this particular exercise from origin to current day......

Originally, as many know (including myself), there was this unique drill which used a specific series of blocks executed from a training horse called the Star Block, sometimes referred to as the Star Blocking Set, and possibly other similar nomenclature.

The "Star Block" was a very useful and popular fun "set" or drill that was taught to better illustrate several different blocking concepts. It was executed from a stationary position (training horse stance) in the beginning then footwork was added later to explore the variables.

The basic blocking sequence was......
Upward Block
Inward Block
Extended Outward Block (note different from short form 1)
Downward Block
Back Elbow or "Hidden" or "re-cock" Block
Push Down Block
This was done all with one hand (first the right then the opposite hand (left) was used to do the same sequence note: the blocks move in a downward direction [descending]).

Other variations included:
* to do "both" hands at the same time together (descending).
* to do "both" hands at the same time together in reverse order
(ascending).
* to do "both" hands at the same time together (right hand
descending while the left hand is ascending), (and of course the
opposite).

This developed coordination and focused on the basic blocks of our system. It was used for years until Mr. Parker organized or reorganized (which was part of the "process of evolution") which was common place with all areas of Kenpo. At which time (late '70's & early '80's) he put a standardized all the salutations and formalized a short salutation for all of the "sets" (Stance, Blocking, Striking, Finger, Kicking, Coordination & a few weapon sets).

Thus the name now became Blocking Set # 1 and was now officially recorded written down and formalized.

Now the big question....... why today, do some still call it the "Star Block", know nothing of the salutation for the set or the specific order and or the difference of name?

Answer...... Those that learned the "Star Block" at some time early on and that now had either left Mr. Parker or saw him quite infrequently did NOT get the updates unless they specifically asked "what have you updated recently (since I last saw you or what new are you working on).

Often times, when individuals received lessons from Ed Parker he would ask you........ "what can I help you with"? More often than not....... the quest was always for the highest and latest forms and techniques or clarification of specific techniques. Many did not venture to ask about the Fundamental Structure of the System Basics because I think many figured they knew all the basics well. The results are obvious.

Ed Parker loved diggers since he had to dig and scratch for everything. He loved it when you "discovered" something. He would laugh and say...... "Heyyyyyy ... You took your smart pills today didn't 'cha"! Then he would elaborate on "YOUR NEW" (snicker) discovery. You would then get a lengthy examination and reference of what you found, while he let you know that he had already found that and he was elated that you found it as well. "Kenpo is now in your bones, you are startin' to see what I see"! Ahhhhhh good!

This same phenomenon is what transpired with all other areas of advancement in his art ~ (Forms, sets, techniques revisions and in some cases new numerical order {32 to 24 and 24 to 16} are just a few examples) whoever was around him at the time he was working on certain material were the ones who were in the front row to receive the newest material this also included all the seminars that he did the last 10 years of his life. I say newest but actually much was not really new but better defined and explained in some cases..... but updated none the less.

Well I've went on long enough but I hope you get a better picture, The "Star Block Drill" actually has several hundred permutations (Blocking Set # 1 has 1 basic way) that one can use as drills each working on something specific, but I won't go into all the variations of the Star Block Drill.

:asian:
 
Is it the same salutation that you do for the forms, and then the blocks are the same as done in Star block?

:shrug:

:asian:

Chuck
 
Well, No it is not the same salutation that is done in the forms, slioghtly different (much shorter & simpler) the blocking pattern is Up, in, ext. out, down, re~cock, Push.

:asian:
 
Originally posted by Goldendragon7

Well, No it is not the same salutation that is done in the forms, slioghtly different (much shorter & simpler) the blocking pattern is Up, in, ext. out, down, re~cock, Push.

:asian:

The short salutation is, from attention stance:

1. Step out with left foot into meditating horse stance
2. Shift arms to training horse stance and begin form

In other schools it goes

Attention stance
Meditating horse stance up to attention stance again into a bow
Meditating horse stance into training horse stance
Begin

It all depends on where you train and how far they have drifted from Senior Grand Master Parker's teachings
 
The "Sets" Salutation (as last written prior to Mr. Parkers passing) is as follows.......

Attention Stance, then bow head (nod - down then back up sharply), this is to give respect to the workout area we are about to utilize, then step out with your left foot in a meditation stance left over right hand position (with head down in meditation) hold this for as long as needed to gather self or for practice purposes about 3 seconds. Raise head back up sharply (to return to the hear and now). From this point start the form.....

Hope this helps....
:asian:
 
Originally posted by Goldendragon7

Well I've went on long enough........

No no, don't stop, I need to know more.......... Lots more!
:D
--Dave
:asian:
 
Well, you need a personal seminar if you want more now....... lol. Don't get greedy.

I'd love to visit down under again. Late this year or early next year I will be expanding to Samoa.

Maybe I can arrange an Aussie tour.

;)
 
Originally posted by Goldendragon7

Well, you need a personal seminar if you want more now....... lol. Don't get greedy.

I'd love to visit down under again. Late this year or early next year I will be expanding to Samoa.

Maybe I can arrange an Aussie tour.

;)

Now, you're being a tease....:D
But if you do, make sure it's in Melbourne. Then I can go!!

--Dave


:asian:
 
Originally posted by D.Cobb



Now, you're being a tease....:D
But if you do, make sure it's in Melbourne. Then I can go!!

--Dave


:asian:

I think he was hinting at you having your school bring him in for a seminar. Goldendragon can be too subtle sometimes.
 
Originally posted by Rob_Broad



I think he was hinting at you having your school bring him in for a seminar. Goldendragon can be too subtle sometimes.

Or maybe I can just be too thick. DUH!!
My current school doesn't do American Kenpo, but I will have a talk to my previous instructor about it and even suggest it to my current Senseii.

Who knows, I might get lucky.
--Dave:eek:
 
GD, take me too :D, please :D (now on knees)
I won't take up too much room in your suitcase.
Of course you'll have to stop in Denver and pick me up. :D

:asian:
 
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