Benefits of Kenpo Kali to the Kenpo Practitioner
I was fascinated by the stick and blade work of kali/arnis from the very first time I saw Professor Remy Presas perform at the Long Beach Internationals. The more I saw, the more intrigued I became. Finally in 1981 I began seeking out instruction in the Filipino Arts. I have trained with Professors Presas, The late J. Cui Broca, Dave Bird, Grand Master Bobby Taboada and Sigung Rochetta. What I found is an art that, in my mind, helped to flesh out and complete an already efficient system. Kenpo Kali helped to give me a much more complete understanding of the nature of weapons and how they fit into the universal patterns of motion. It also dramatically improved my weak side techniques (also known as lateral bias), both with and without a weapon. Perhaps the greatest single benefit however, was it's pronounced affect on my overall flow. Today, I allocate an almost equal amount of training time to Kenpo Kali, that I do to empty hand training. Together with my partner, Damien Romero, we are constantly developing new drills and techniques. A new System is beginning to emerge. Although I credit a strong background from the Great Teachers listed above, much of what we now work is of our own design. Watch for upcoming Video Tapes showcasing our ideas and methods known as Kenpo Kali. (That is to say, material that is in fact NEW to us and not passed on from other sources. I'm sure that many others have discovered many of the same paths and techniques that we are now discovering and refining. I'm sure that someone, somewhere will inevitably tell us that, what we are doing is in fact not new. If we have inadvertently plagiarized your techniques, my most humble apologies.) Our Primary Philosophies include maintaining Maximum Distance, Utilizing the Length of the Weapon and Focusing heavily upon the Hand as a Target. We also borrow heavily upon the multiple strike theories of Kenpo. The flow and versatility of this art continues to keep it eternally new and exciting.
Striking Techniques
We have adopted a fairly standard 12 Strike sequence to act as the beginning framework. Kenpo Kali begins by teaching full strikes, followed by broken strikes. At intermediate stages, we examine secondary targets and angles of attack. Advanced striking techniques encompass such maneuvers as abanicos, cortos, largos, whipping and multiple strike sequences.
Blocking Techniques
We begin with basic supported blocks. Not only are these easy to learn, but they get the beginning Kenpo Kali student used to using both hands, early on. We progress to Un supported force to force blocking which is faster and more intuitive. We then begin adding a live check to the force to force blocks. A natural progression that almost combines force to force with supported blocking techniques. This level would include such concepts as snake hand checking. Once this is mastered, we begin to simply direct check the attacking hand. The final stages evolve into simultaneous direct checks and counter strikes.
Intermediate Techniques
We also take a natural progression to responses to attacks. First learning to meet and return random strikes. Then trapping and disarming. Next comes controlling our opponent and finally taking our opponent down.
Training Drills
Each of these training drills work on different skill. Some are designed to help the practitioner quickly and properly identify and react to incoming strikes. The Live Checking Sequences or "Compression Drills" are designed to develop an Acute Awareness of Range, Accuracy of Targeting, Live Hand Checking and Combination Strikes. Other drills emphasize.
Advanced Techniques
Each of these training drills work on different skill. The "Elevation Drills:Inside/Outside" are designed to more specific controlling of your opponent's weapon hand in regards to vertical height. The "Bridges: High/Low" (Techniques which allow you to move from any Inside maneuver to any Outside maneuver. Any of these drills may also lead directly into: Controls, Disarms or Takedowns. (This is where creative applications of Snake hands and such become really useful)
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