GAUGING FOOTWORK IN DEFENDING AGAINST KICKING ATTACKS IN KENPO
lst Degree Black Belt Thesis
By Mr. David Byrne – Celbridge Kenpo Karate Academy.

UNWINDING PENDULUM - Front - Right Kick & Right Punch Combination

  1. While you are in a right neutral bow, your opponent executes a right kick toward your groin. Have your right foot slide back toward 6 o'clock into a left front twist stance (facing 12 o'clock) as you execute a right downward block to the outside of your opponent's right leg. Simultaneous with this block have your left hand cock slightly above your solar plexus in preparation for a left inward block. (This should turn your opponent slightly to his left.)
  2. As your opponent follows up with a right punch, pivot clockwise (180 degrees) into a left neutral bow (facing 12 o'clock) while executing a left inward block to the outside of your opponent's right arm (preferably at the elbow). Have your right arm hang naturally along your right hip and thigh during this manoeuvre. (This action, combined with the previous block, should result in turning your opponent so that his back faces you.)
  3. Immediately execute a right front crossover sweeping kick to the back of your opponent's left knee. (This should buckle as well as force your opponent's left leg to spread apart from his right leg.)
  4. Have your right foot plant forward into a right front twist stance as you execute a right underhand claw to your opponent's groin from the rear. As you strike have your left hand horizontally check your opponent's arms at his elbows. (Your opponent should bend forward at the waist.)
  5. Pivot counter-clockwise (180 degrees) and within the same flow of action execute a right back scoop kick to the front of your opponent's groin.
  6. From the Point of Contact of your right scoop kick have your right foot plant back and toward 11:30 (between your opponent's legs) so that your right leg converts into a right reverse bow to buckle the inside of his right leg.
  7. Simultaneous with this buckle execute a right outward heel palm strike to your opponent's left kidney. Your left hand should positionally check the back of your opponent's waistline. (This should snap your opponent's head back.)
  8. Now execute a switch by having your right leg slide alongside and to the right of your left leg. Immediately pivot counter-clockwise and have your left leg slide back into a left reverse bow (toward 10:30) to buckle the inside of your opponent's left knee. As you execute the buckle, execute a left outward elbow strike to theback of your opponent's head. Simultaneous with this action thrust a right inward heel palm strike to your opponent's right kidney. (The simultaneous strikes should cause your opponent to fall backwards before the effects of your strikes are felt.)
  9. Execute a left front crossover toward 7:30 and rotate counter-clockwise into a transitional twist stance as you deliver a left outward whipping inverted middle-knuckle strike to your opponent's right temple. (This strike is used to further disorient your opponent.)
  10. Have your right foot step through toward the direction of 7:30 and double cover out in the same direction.

Summary

A very similar attack kick maybe slight lower and more committed. This time the use of the hammerfist is employed which creates an angle of deflection which we follow with 180° turn and block the following right punch. You initial retreat created distance and then your unwind from twist creating rotational power for the block. Your opponent is turned more as a result of the more powerful blocks exposing different targets to Dance of Darkness. By using angles of efficiency, the buckles position our opponent in a manner not unlike a snooker player tracking his next shot. We are also using obscure angles to devastating effect.

INTRODUCTION | 1. DEFLECTING HAMMER | 2. THRUSTING SALUTE | 3. SWINGING PENDULUM | 4. DETOUR FROM DOOM | 5. HUGGING PENDULUM | 6. RETREATING PENDULUM | 7. DANCE OF DARKNESS | 8. UNWINDING PENDULUM | CONCLUSION | GLOSSARY OF TERMS

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