The Pinkie of Death
To all, I was very tempted to call this thread “Simon’s art is NOT crap”. But I thought that would be a bit childish not to mention short sighted. It is about Hand to Hand combat principles and techniques. If you have a favorite one, then share it. I am really hoping that I’ll get some serious feedback here, and a bit of a hand, as well. This is all about what works in training and for real. I expect it to be a bit of a hodge podge for awhile. It isn’t so much about learning MA, as much as it is about sharing information. If you disagree with me… Say so and why! I’ll start. I’ve already posted about Stances. But here is a partial rehash. Firm but relaxed- Stances should be firm enough to withstand an attack yet relaxed enough to allow you to move quickly and easily to any other position. Definition of a stance- Stances are designed to amount to a fluid movement of withdrawal and attack and are not to be regarded as a permanent position. Positive and negative sides of a stance - positive side is where ones balance is strongest and negative are where it is weakest. Balls of the feet – I move on the balls of my feet and always have. Helps me maintain my balance and improves my power and timing. Regards, MrE2Me2

Positive/Negative, in taiji that could be referred to as Double-Weighted. Rather you don't want to be DW, you always want to have one foot positive and one negative, or as they would say one foot yin and the other yang. Actually there is a lot of confusion in the taiji community on what exactly DW means, but in the end it means a stagnant stance! I'll check my notes and see if I can find a more literal definition of Double Weighted.

Hello Cam, You posted the vid in "Style You Train Now". "Painful Push hands" http://templekungforum.14.forumer.com/viewtopic.php?t=50 That said it about stances for TaiChi for me. Regards, MrE2Me2

Blocking
To all, I have a real bug about blocking. I know it and all I can say is that Moh blocking works for me. I am still having trouble working my camera. But when it reveals it secrets to me, I shall show you what I mean. In the meantime I found this. They called it, "The Star Blocking Set". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxk5PJHJKbY Look at his torso, particularly how his shoulders move while he blocks. I do not mean any disrespect here. I am merely trying to make a point. He looks like I used to look, When I blocked before Brown Belt. It took months before I got rid of that movement. The movement he displays. Regards, MrE2Me2

Hi Mystery, Well I am curious, you'll have to get your camera working! It's a pity that vid didn't show his feet as I am interested on how his lower body is moving in relation to his torso, especially if his knees are going out of alignment with his feet. Having a taiji pov, some things are just different then you Kenpo folks. Not that I'm saying it's better, just different!

Hello Cam, Something else I noticed but did not comment on earlier. He blocks into the elbow or upper arm. He states his reasons for doing so. I regard that as a stylistic difference. Regarding what you said about not seeing his lower body. Later in the vid you can see his partner stepping just a bit. It is a different point of view. He sure looks dedicated. He reminds me of me, at that age. Regards, Mre2Me2

The Pinkie of Death 4
To all, My camera finally revealed her secrets to my wife. And thanks to “YouTube”, I can partially show you what I mean about blocks. The point of showing these is to demonstrate the limb alone block. These are all done at about half speed. Be patient. Here is an attempt at solo drills http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjpNWvV9z98 Here is an attempt at two man blocking drills http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1eAimQBMTM Here is the first of three I discovered later http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRRe9Lc7uj0 Here is the second of three that I discovered later http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOYfw_i7LV0 (Notice that Red’s elbows are by his sides. This negates his ability to block.) And just for fun… Here is the third of 3 that I discovered later http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cxXO63kq6o As I get better with the camera, so will the vids. Regards, MrE2Me2

Excellent Mystery!! In the solo vid you have shown something that I still have difficulty with, the shoulders. Instead of using your shoulders, you rotate the shoulder joint! This action allows movement without deforming the spine,(as my teacher might say). I also like how, as you say "re-cocking", in taiji circles we would say going left before you go right, or you must contract before you expand, compress before you expand, etc.. Another thing I noticed in one of the 2-man drills, was the timing of the block and the sinking of the forward knee. This action would help to channel the force into the ground, what I mean is that the stances are non-static. In the "internal" arts deforming the spine is one of the biggest no-no's. By that I mean twisting the spine left or right, the left/right motion MUST be done be the waist, taking great car not to allow the knees to deform from the direction the feet are in. If one deforms the knees, not only does it weaken your stance (unscrewing yourself from the ground), it is also very unhealthy for your knee joint. What we are allowed to do is to bow and un-bow the spine, rounding the back but without leaning....this is really difficult to explain, it's one of those IHTBS, (it has to be shown). Thaks for posting the clips, looking good!

Hello Cam, Thanks! I put a lot of time over the years into those blocks. I really wasn't sure how they would come out on video. They looked okay to me but then I'm prejudiced :-D Regards, MrE2Me2

Mr E2me2, I am glad you are posting some stuff on you tube. it would be a good place to compare notes. Is it hard to upload onto you tube?? it would be a good place to compare notes vis video. Your videos are cool. When you were taught blocking at Simons( I am referring to the solo vid) were you taught to keep the "dead hand" at the hip while the "live hand is blocking" I was taught with both arms taking part in the blocking action ( for the traditional blocking).For example with a left inside block, my right would almost do an outside forearm block, the left fist will go under the right elbow(palm down, this actually the position in which you were chambered just with the right arm over top of it in an outside forearm block position) and then perform the inside block as my right hand simultaneously goes to the hip. Almost a secondary defense concept. Again my question is striclty of curiousity and not of a critical nature shawn

The Pinkie of Death 5 Hello Sifu Shawn, In answer to your question; YouTube.com is a very easy place to upload to. That being said, I have a digital camera with which I can make my vids. I am not sure how much memory I can use on YouTube yet. I agree about comparisons. Thank you for your kind words. That was my first time in front of a camera in a long time. I was just winging it and that was more of a test than anything else (no script). I left lots out including any activity of the non blocking hand. (Although, the vids with Jason have some interesting activities.) About the solo drill vid; Basically what you saw was a very beginner blocking set. I was having a conversation with Cam. I had shown him “The Star Blocking Set” earlier and I was making a comparison. What you describe I use, as well. I call those alternate arm drills and they are very important. I had to relearn to block at Brown Belt. It was with the drills you describe, that I had to replace bad habits with good ones. So I know those drills that you are talking about. I learned several ways to block at SKS and both the drills and the set were included. I will have some more vids in a couple of days. Regards, MrE2Me2

To all, Well, it has been a couple of days. I have some new vids. These are taken with a good friend and long time student of mine. They speak for themselves. Side Thrust Kick http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lfksrs40w-0 Slide in Back Fist from Leading Horse http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hRdRYyLzH8 Roundhouse Kick with Back Fist follow up (Ya, he’s using the instep where he normally doesn’t.) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxaUWPa05hQ Rising block then Counter Thrust Followed by, Rising Block and Simultaneous Counter Thrust http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEEDa823r2I Lead Jab and Rear Thrust into pads http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0ZQNpL6hBY Friendly free sparring Notice where Blue’s elbows are (by his side) Then notice where Blacks elbows are (3 to 6 inches away from his side) (It is a good thing this guy is my friend) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TU4p9AnIg8 Have Fun and enjoy! Regards, MrE2Me2

Very cool Mystery Man! The friendly sparring is definately my fave, some good hand speed going on. Are you going to post some of a bit more serious sparring, no need for blood though!

In the Lead jab Rear Thrust vid I see the problem that I was trying to address in my #4 Training Tip. When "black" punched with the right hand it appears like he lifted his right heel and the right knee seemed to slightly collapse inward. Now I understand that this will give him a bit more penetrating power, judging by the smacking sound he has good power BUT for that split second his balance may have been a bit over-extended. Not that I'm criticizing, I wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of that blow, though for a split second it does make him a bit vulnerable to a grab/pull from a more experienced fighter! Otherwise excellent!

Although, the heel was raised and the knee turned inward he was still balanced over his hips and did not at all look over extended. In fact, in boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai, Jeet Kune Do (to name a few) that is the correct way (for the lower body) for a reverse punch.