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Techniques

According to Mr. Parker, during his many visits to Dale Pettit’s and Steve Snelson’s clubs in Utah during the mid 1970s to mid 1980s – he stated that; “Techniques give definition and meaning to the basic fundamentals of Kenpo. Each technique sequence is different; it follows a logical and systematic pattern that can provide basic fundamentals and principles in an attack. And, if you practice the ‘what-if’ scenarios I have advised, as a student you will continually expand upon these principles.”

Dr. Tindall has taught Kenpo for many years and he has seen many instructors and schools do the same thing time after time. One of the most grievous errors in teaching Kenpo is to teach the techniques as simple fight sequences – they are much more than this. While he admits that these sequences are pre designed the problem resides in the fact that this is also how the student views them.

Both Dr. Tindall and Mr. Whelan strongly agree that techniques should not be taught as simple fight sequences, but as underlying principles and it is these principles that the instructor should get across to the student. Since attacks can vary so much, even if the same type such as a right punch or club attack is thrown constantly and, because each individual is physically different, the techniques should be viewed as a basic idea only. By viewing the techniques as taught principles, they can be rapidly applied to any crises situation depending on the skill of the individual. Thus, a defense would end up being, and has from many reports of students during the years, a combination of several techniques, i.e., principles.

Further, as a student you must know both sides of the technique, i.e., the defense, which is most prevalent in teaching, and also the attack. What are you striking and where? What happens if you are blocked? Can you set up another attack, i.e., deviate? Can you deviate is you fail with a particular block or strike?

By knowing both sides of the techniques and therefore, the principles involved, you will gain a far greater understanding of Kenpo. Thus, as we tell our students, also be a good Kenpo dummy! If you do not know how a technique is applied, you will not know how to defend against the attack very well, which could cause hesitation. And, as Master Parker was fond of saying, “he, who hesitates, meditates, in a horizontal position.”

Finally, when you perform a technique you should strive for spontaneity. If the attacker blocks or checks you, view it as a deviation. By doing this is does not the block or check does not become an obstruction and you will be able to easily flow into another move. Therefore, work with the principles of the techniques rather than the sequencing and you will never fail in your defense! You will also notice that techniques are broken down into various categories and also have alterations, which are illustrated below.

Self Defense Categories

Techniques are grouped into the followings categories, listed in order of the degree of difficulty in dealing with an attack of each type.

 Grabs & Tackles
 Pushes
 Punches
 Kicks
 Holds & Hugs
 Chokes & Locks
 Weapons
 Multiple Attacks
 Combinations of the Above

Technique Alterations

 Prefix Begin the technique in a different way
 Suffix Add an extension to the end of the technique
 Insert Add a check or simultaneous strike without changing the timing
 Re-arrange Use the same pieces in a different order
 Alter Varying the weapon, target, or both
 Adjust Adjust the range (depth) and/or Angle of Execution (width and height) of a move.
 Regulate Modify the speed, power and/or intent of a move
 Delete Remove a beat, modifying the timing of the technique
 Add Add a whole new beat, modifying the timing of the technique

Dr. Tindall promised Grandmaster Parker that he would always teach the techniques as Mr. Parker prescribed for each belt level. He has always honored that promise. Thus, the order of techniques and number per belt level for rank advancement are given below. These are a portion of your Kenpo training, only a portion.

YELLOW BELT

  1. DELAYED SWORD (front - right and lapel grab)
  2. ALTERNATING MACES (front - two-hand push)
  3. SWORDS OF DESTRUCTION (front - left straight or roundhouse punch)
  4. DEFLECTING HAMMER (front - right front thrust kick)
  5. CAPTURED TWIGS (rear bear-hug, arms pinned)
  6. THE GRASP OF DEATH (left flank - right arm headlock)
  7. CHECKING THE STORM (front - right step-through overhead club)
  8. MACE OF AGGRESSION (front - two-hand lapel grab, pulling in)
  9. ATTACKING MACE (front - right step-through straight punch)
  10. SWORD AND HAMMER (right flank -left hand shoulder grab)

ORANGE BELT

  1. CLUTCHING FEATHERS - Front Left Hand Hair Grab
  2. TRIGGERED SALUTE - Front Right Hand Straight Punch
  3. DANCE OF DEATH - Front Right Straight Punch
  4. THRUSTING SALUTE - Front Right Step Through Kick
  5. GIFT OF DESTRUCTION - Handshake
  6. LOCKING HORNS - Front Headlock
  7. LONE KIMONO* - Front Left Hand Lapel Grab
  8. GLANCING SALUTE - Front Right Hand Cross Push
  9. FIVE SWORDS* - Front Right Step Through Roundhouse Punch
  10. BUCKLING BRANCH - Front Left Step Through Kick
  11. SCRAPING HOOF - Full Nelson
  12. GRIP OF DEATH* - Left Flank Right Arm Headlock
  13. CROSSING TALON - Front Right Hand Cross Wrist Grab
  14. REPEATING MACE - Front Left Hand Push
  15. SHIELDING HAMMER - Front Left Step Through Hooking Punch
  16. STRIKING SERPENT'S HEAD - Front Bear hug, Arms free
  17. LOCKING WINGS - Hammerlock
  18. OBSCURE WING - Right Flank Left Hand Shoulder Grab
  19. REVERSING MACE - Front Left Step Through Straight Punch
  20. THRUSTING PRONGS _ Front Bear Hug, Arms Pinned
  21. TWISTING TWIG - Front Wrist Lock
  22. OBSCURE SWORD - Right Flank Left Hand Shoulder Grab
  23. RAINING CLAW - Front Right Uppercut Punch
  24. CRASHING WINGS - Right Bear hug, Arms Free

PURPLE BELT

  1. TWIRLING WINGS - Rear Two-Hand Stiff-Arm Shoulder Grab
  2. SNAPPING TWIG - front Left Hand Chest Push
  3. LEAPING CRANE - Front Right Step Through Punch
  4. SWINGING PENDULUM - Front Right Roundhouse Kick
  5. CRUSHING HAMMERS - Rear Bear Hug -- Arms Pinned
  6. CAPTURED LEAVES - Right Flank Finger Lock
  7. EVADING THE STORM - Front Right Step Through Overhead Club
  8. CHARGING RAM - Front Tackle
  9. PARTING WINGS - Front Two-Hand Push
  10. THUNDERING HAMMERS - Front Right Step Through Punch
  11. SQUEEZING THE PEACH - Rear Bearhug -- arms pinned
  12. CIRCLING WING - Rear Two Hand Choke - Arms Bent
  13. CALMING THE STORM - Front Right Step Through Roundhouse Club
  14. DARTING MACE - Front Two-Hand Wrist Grab
  15. HOOKING WINGS - Front Two-Hand Low Push
  16. SHIELD AND SWORD - Front Left Step Through Punch
  17. GIFT IN RETURN - Front Handshake
  18. BOW OF COMPULSION - Front Wrist Lock Against Opponent's Chest
  19. OBSTRUCTING THE STORM* - Front Right Step Through Overhead Club
  20. TWIN KIMONO - Front Two-Hand Lapel Grab - Push Out
  21. SLEEPER - Front Right Front Step Tr ought Straight Punch
  22. SPIRALING TWIG - Rear Bear Hug -- Arms Free
  23. CROSS OF DESTRUCTION - Rear Two-Hand Choke
  24. FLIGHT TO FREEDOM - rear Hammerlock

BLUE BELT

  1. BEGGING HANDS - Front Two-Hand Grab to Wrists
  2. THRUSTING WEDGE - Front Right Step Through Punch
  3. FLASHING WINGS - Front Right Step Through Punch
  4. HUGGING PENDULUM - Front Right Thrusting Knife-Edge Kick
  5. REPEATING DEVASTATION - Full Nelson
  6. ENTANGLED WING - Front Arm Lock
  7. DEFYING THE STORM - Front Right Step Through Roundhouse Club
  8. RAKING MACE - Front Two-Hand Lapel Grab -- Pulling In
  9. SNAKING TALON - Front Two Hand Push
  10. SHIELD AND MACE - Front Right Step Through Punch
  11. RETREATING PENDULUM - Front Right Thrusting Heel Kick
  12. TRIPPING ARROW - Rear Two-Hand Choke
  13. FALLEN CROSS - Rear Two-Hand Choke
  14. RETURNING STORM - Front Inward Roundhouse And Backhand Club
  15. CROSSED TWIGS* - Rear Two -Hand Grabs To Wrist
  16. TWIST OF FATE - Front Two Hand Push
  17. FLASHING MACE - Front Right Step Through Punch
  18. GIFT OF DESTINY - Front Handshake
  19. WINGS OF SILK - Rear Two-Arm Hammerlock
  20. GRIPPING TALON - Front Left Direct Right Wrist Grab
  21. GATHERING CLOUDS - Front Right Step Through Punch
  22. DESTRUCTIVE TWINS - Front Two-Hand Choke -- Pulling In
  23. BROKEN RAM - Front Tackle
  24. CIRCLING THE HORIZON - Front Right Step Through Punch

GREEN BELT

  1. OBSCURE CLAW - Right Flank Left Hand Shoulder Grab
  2. ENCOUNTER WITH DANGER - Front Two- Hand Push
  3. CIRCLING DESTRUCTION - Front Left Step Through Punch
  4. DETOUR FROM DOOM* - Front Right Roundhouse Kick
  5. SQUATTING SACRIFICE - Rear Bear Hug -- Arms Free
  6. ESCAPE FROM DEATH - Rear Right-Arm Choke
  7. BRUSHING THE STORM - Right Flank Right Step Trough Overhead Club
  8. MENACING TWIRL - Rear Left-Hand Belt Grab
  9. LEAP FROM DANGER - Rear Two-Hand Push
  10. CIRCLES OF PROTECTION - Front Right Step Through Overhead Punch
  11. CIRCLE OF DOOM - Front Right Straight Kick
  12. BROKEN GIFT - Handshake
  13. HEAVENLY ASCENT - Front Two-Hand Choke == Arms Straight
  14. CAPTURING THE STORM - Front Right Step Through Overhead Club
  15. CONQUERING SHIELD - Front Left Stiff-Arm Lapel Grab
  16. TAMING THE MACE - Front Right Step Through Punch
  17. TWIRLING SACRIFICE - Full Nelson
  18. CROSS OF DEATH - Front Two-Hand Cross Choke
  19. SECURING THE STORM - Front Right Step Through Roundhouse Club
  20. INTERCEPTING THE RAM - Front Tackle
  21. KNEEL OF COMPULSION - Right Flank Right Step Through Punch
  22. CLIPPING THE STORM - Front Right Thrusting Club
  23. GLANCING WING - Front Left Uppercut Punch
  24. THE BACK BREAKER - Right FLank Right Step Through Punch

3rd BROWN BELT

  1. GLANCING SPEAR - front Right Direct Wrist Grab
  2. THRUST INTO DARKNESS - Rear Right Step Trough Punch
  3. CIRCLING FANS - Front Right And Left front Straight Punch Combination
  4. ROTATING DESTRUCTION - Front Right Snap and Left Spinning Back-Kick
  5. FALCONS OF FORCE - Flank Left and Right Shoulder Grab By Two Men
  6. THE BEAR AND THE RAM - Front Right PUnch and Rear Bear Hug -- Arms Free
  7. RAINING LANCE* - Front Right Step Through Overhead Knife
  8. DESPERATE FALCONS - Front Two-Hand Grab to Both Wrists
  9. LEAP OF DEATH - Front Right Step Through Punch
  10. PROTECTING FANS - Front Right and Left Punch Combination With Opponents Left Leg Forward
  11. DECEPTIVE PANTHER - Combination Right Front Snap Kick (Low) and Right Roundhouse Kick (High)
  12. COURTING THE TIGER - Flank Left and Right Arm Grab By Two Opponents
  13. GATHERING THE SNAKES - Front Left Punch and Rear Right Punch By Two Men
  14. GLANCING LANCE - Front Right Knife Thrust While your Arms Are Down
  15. DOMINATING CIRCLES - Front Right Shoulder Grab By Opponent's Right Hand
  16. DESTRUCTIVE FANS - Left Flank Right Punch With Opponent's Rig Leg Forward
  17. UNFURLING CRANE - Front Right and Left Punch Combination With Opponent's Right Leg Forward
  18. GRASPING EAGLES - Front Right Lapel Grab and Rear Right Arms Grab By Two Men
  19. PARTING OF THE SNAKES - Front Right Punch and Rear Attempt By Two Men
  20. THRUSTING LANCE - Front Right Knife Thrust While Your Arms Are Down
  21. BLINDING SACRIFICE - Front Two-Hand Grab or Choke
  22. SNAKES OF WISDOM - Flank Left and Right Shoulder Grabs By Two Men
  23. ENTWINING LANCE - Front Right Knife Thrust
  24. FALLING FALCON - Front Right Direct Lapel Grab

2nd BROWN BELT

  1. FATAL CROSS - Front Two-Hand Attempted Grab or Push
  2. TWIRLING HAMMERS - Front Left Step Trough Punch
  3. DEFENSIVE CROSS - front Right Snap Kick
  4. DANCE OF DARKNESS* - Front Right Kick Followed By a Right Punch
  5. MARRIAGE OF THE RAMS - Right and Left Shoulder Grabs (Close) By Two Men
  6. THE RAM AND THE EAGLE - Front Right Punch and Left Collar Grab By Two Men
  7. ESCAPE FROM THE STORM - Right Flank Right Overhead Club
  8. CIRCLING WINDMILLS - Front Two-Hand Push Followed By a Right Punch
  9. DESTRUCTIVE KNEEL - Front Right Step Through Punch
  10. BOWING TO BUDDHA - Front Right Roundhouse Kick (While Kneeling On The Ground)
  11. REVERSING CIRCLES - Front Left Roundhouse Kick Followed By a Left Punch
  12. REPRIMANDING THE BEARS - Front Right Punch and Rear Bear-Hug By Two Men -- Arms, Free
  13. CIRCLING THE STORM - Front Right Club Thrust (Poke)
  14. UNFOLDING THE DARK - Left Step Through Punch From The Right Rear Flank
  15. UNWINDING PENDULUM - Front Right Kick Followed By A Right Punch
  16. PIERCING LANCE - Front Right Knife Thrust While Your Arms Are Up
  17. ESCAPE FROM DARKNESS - Right Punch From The Right Side
  18. CAPTURING THE ROD* - Front Right Pistol Holdup (Against Your Chest)
  19. PRANCE OF THE TIGER - Right Flank Step Trough Uppercut Punch
  20. BROKEN ROD - Rear Right Hand Pistol
  21. ENTWINING MACES* - Front Right and Left Punch With Opponent's Left Leg Forward
  22. DEFYING THE ROD - Front Right Pistol Holdup
  23. FATAL DEVIATION - Front Right and Left Punch With Opponent's Left Leg Forward
  24. TWISTED ROD - Front Right Pistol Holdup

1st BROWN BELT

  1. CLUTCHING FEATHERS - Front Left Hand Hair Grab
  2. TRIGGERED SALUTE - Front Right Hand Straight Punch
  3. DANCE OF DEATH - Front Right Straight Punch
  4. THRUSTING SALUTE - Front Right Step Through Kick
  5. GIFT OF DESTRUCTION - Handshake
  6. LOCKING HORNS - Front Headlock
  7. LONE KIMONO - Front Left Hand Lapel Grab
  8. GLANCING SALUTE - Front Right Hand Cross Push
  9. FIVE SWORDS - Front Right Step Through Roundhouse Punch
  10. BUCKLING BRANCH - Front Left Step Through Kick
  11. SCRAPING HOOF - Full Nelson
  12. GRIP OF DEATH - Left Flank Right Arm Headlock
  13. CROSSING TALON - Front Right Hand Cross Wrist Grab
  14. REPEATING MACE - Front Left Hand Push
  15. SHIELDING HAMMER - Front Left Step Through Hooking Punch
  16. STRIKING SERPENT'S HEAD - Front Bearhug, Arms free
  17. LOCKING WINGS - Hammerlock
  18. OBSCURE WING - Right Flank Left Hand Shoulder Grab
  19. REVERSING MACE - Front Left Step Through Straight Punch
  20. THRUSTING PRONGS _ Front Bear Hug, Arms Pinned
  21. TWISTING TWIG - Front Wrist Lock
  22. OBSCURE SWORD - Right Flank Left Hand Shoulder Grab
  23. RAINING CLAW - Front Right Uppercut Punch
  24. CRASHING WINGS - Right Bearhug, Arms Free

1st BLACK BELT

  1. TWIRLING WINGS - Rear Two-Hand Stiff-Arm Shoulder Grab
  2. SNAPPING TWIG - front Left Hand Chest Push
  3. LEAPING CRANE - Front Right Step Through Punch
  4. SWINGING PENDULUM - Front Right Roundhouse Kick
  5. CRUSHING HAMMERS - Rear Bear Hug -- Arms Pinned
  6. CAPTURED LEAVES - Right Flank Finger Lock
  7. EVADING THE STORM - Front Right Step Through Overhead Club
  8. CHARGING RAM - Front Tackle
  9. PARTING WINGS - Front Two-Hand Push
  10. THUNDERING HAMMERS - Front Right Step Through Punch
  11. SQUEEZING THE PEACH - Rear Bearhug -- arms pinned
  12. CIRCLING WING - Rear Two Hand Choke - Arms Bent
  13. CALMING THE STORM - Front Right Step Through Roundhouse Club
  14. DARTING MACE - Front Two-Hand Wrist Grab
  15. HOOKING WINGS - Front Two-Hand Low Push
  16. SHIELD AND SWORD - Front Left Step Through Punch
  17. GIFT IN RETURN - Front Handshake
  18. BOW OF COMPULSION - Front Wrist Lock Against Opponent's Chest
  19. OBSTRUCTING THE STORM - Front Right Step Through Overhead Club
  20. TWIN KIMONO - Front Two-Hand Lapel Grab - Push Out
  21. SLEEPER - Front Right Front Step Tr ought Straight Punch
  22. SPIRALING TWIG - Rear Bear Hug -- Arms Free
  23. CROSS OF DESTRUCTION - Rear Two-Hand Choke
  24. FLIGHT TO FREEDOM - rear Hammerlock

2nd BLACK BELT

  1. BEGGING HANDS - Front Two-Hand GRab to Wrists
  2. THRUSTING WEDGE - Front Right Step Through Punch
  3. FLASHING WINGS - Front Right Step Through Punch
  4. HUGGING PENDULUM - Front Right Thrusting Knife-Edge Kick
  5. REPEATING DEVASTATION - Full Nelson
  6. ENTANGLED WING - Front Arm Lock
  7. DEFYING THE STORM - Front Right Step Through Roundhouse Club
  8. RAKING MACE - Front Two-Hand Lapel Grab -- Pulling In
  9. SNAKING TALON - Front Two Hand Push
  10. SHIELD AND MACE - Front Right Step Through Punch
  11. RETREATING PENDULUM - Front Right Thrusting Heel Kick
  12. TRIPPING ARROW - Rear Two-Hand Choke
  13. FALLEN CROSS - Rear Two-Hand Choke
  14. RETURNING STORM - Front Inward Roundhouse And Backhand Club
  15. CROSSED TWIGS - Rear Two -Hand Grabs To Wrist
  16. TWIST OF FATE - Front Two Hand Push
  17. FLASHING MACE - Front Right Step Through Punch
  18. GIFT OF DESTINY - Front Handshake
  19. WINGS OF SILK - Rear Two-Arm Hammerlock
  20. GRIPPING TALON - Front Left Direct Right Wrist Grab
  21. GATHERING CLOUDS - Front Right Step Through Punch
  22. DESTRUCTIVE TWINS - Front Two-Hand Choke -- Pulling In
  23. BROKEN RAM - Front Tackle
  24. CIRCLING THE HORIZON - Front Right Step Through Punch

3rd BLACK BELT

  1. OBSCURE CLAW - Right Flank Left Hand Shoulder Grab
  2. ENCOUNTER WITH DANGER - Front Two- Hand Push
  3. CIRCLING DESTRUCTION - Front Left Step Through Punch
  4. DETOUR FROM DOOM - Front Right Roundhouse Kick
  5. SQUATTING SACRIFICE - Rear Bear Hug -- Arms Free 6. ESCAPE FROM DEATH - Rear Right-Arm Choke
  6. ESCAPE FROM DEATH - Rear Right-Arm Choke
  7. BRUSHING THE STORM - Right Flank Right Step Trough Overhead Club
  8. MENACING TWIRL - Rear Left-Hand Belt Grab
  9. LEAP FROM DANGER - Rear Two-Hand Push
  10. CIRCLES OF PROTECTION - Front Right Step Through Overhead Punch
  11. CIRCLE OF DOOM - Front Right Straight Kick
  12. BROKEN GIFT - Handshake
  13. HEAVENLY ASCENT - Front Two-Hand Choke == Arms Straight
  14. CAPTURING THE STORM - Front Right Step Through Overhead Club
  15. CONQUERING SHIELD - Front Left Stiff-Arm Lapel Grab
  16. TAMING THE MACE - Front Right Step Through Punch
  17. TWIRLING SACRIFICE - Full Nelson
  18. CROSS OF DEATH - Front Two-Hand Cross Choke
  19. SECURING THE STORM - Front Right Step Through Roundhouse Club
  20. INTERCEPTING THE RAM - Front Tackle
  21. KNEEL OF COMPULSION - Right Flank Right Step Through Punch
  22. CLIPPING THE STORM - Front Right Thrusting Club
  23. GLANCING WING - Front Left Uppercut Punch
  24. THE BACK BREAKER - Right FLank Right Step Through Punch

*Mr. Parkers 10 most important Kenpo techniques – if you could only learn 10, it would be these!

Rank Requirements for higher levels:

4th Degree Black Belt: Time in grade and contribution to art

5th Degree Black Belt: Time in grade and contribution to art

6th Degree Black Belt: Time in grade and contribution to art

7th Degree Black Belt: Time in grade and contribution to art

8th Degree Black Belt: Time in grade and contribution to art

9th Degree Black Belt: Time in grade and contribution to art

10th Degree Black Belt: Reserved for Senior Grandmaster Edmund Kealoha Parker or until someone steps forth that has the skill sets Mr. Parker had; that time has not yet come.





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