Category: Kata’s

Shaolin Staff – but with a Spear

Parents night out!

Many parents took advantage of last nights fun night at the dojo! While you were at the movies or a fancy dinner, your kids had a blast at the dojo doing this!

It was a great night and we hope the parents had just as much fun!

Shaolin Staff

a cool staff kata, that could use a more flexible person, but here is my take. Cheers –

Dojo Fun Night Valentine’s Edition

.

Until next time….

Dojo Fun Night Halloween Edition

Kid Lesson Feeding Punches

Last class this little guy, forgot his belt, he left it on the bench in the lobby. His dad texted a day later after his son was frantic that he didn’t have it. We replied that we did indeed have the belt and that we would return it to him; but only after a “Sensei talk”about respecting his belt and consequences.

After our chat he had a choice, to pick a basic drill and then practice it for a solid 15 minutes of his lesson. He picked Feeding Punches.

He did the drill without complaining and when the timer ended, I presented him with his belt, and asked him if he could do the same drill for the rest of our session, but with his belt on and his head high. He replied “Yes Sir”

Spirit and this type of dedication is what Martial Arts is about. Everyone can learn from this young student..

Junior preforms Kata 3

Katana Journey

---

Juniors Class

Seated Recovery, Jab Cross, Outside Grabbing

Sparring Drills

Blocking Combinations

Our art has lots of “blocking sets” Masters, Plum Tree, Willow Palm, 10 Point, and Star. We also have Forward and outward blocking sets. There are 6 forward blocks (2 hands each with a High, Mid, and Low) and we have 6 Outward blocks. Before each outward block will be a face covering mid forward block. We often call this mid block a check or inward check. This block will come in contact with the punch first, then the proceeding outward block, will re-direct it to its final “named” position. Another important concept is movement – the easiest way to avoid being hit by a bus is to not stand still in a road. So while a punch is being delivered we can combine movement, inward checks, and outward blocks to protect ourselves, however only 2 of these is actually needed. Here are the combinations.

• 1: Move, Check, Outward block
• 2: Check, Outward block
• 3: Move, Check
• 4: Move, Outward block

The interesting thing is that those blocking sets with great names like Willow and Plum tree is that they use basic forward and outward blocks in creative ways. Focus on the basics Move and cover your center

Lets define Move, Check, and Outward Block

• Move – Use footwork, body rotation, or stance transitions to move out of harms way. We may have limits on the distance. When combined with a check or outward block the movement must be in the proper direction, otherwise the check or outward block only accelerates the attack towards us.
• Check – A mid forward block, the waist and blocking hand will both be moving forward.
• Outward Block – A mid outward block, the waist and blocking hand will both be moving back or outward.

Ranking the Combinations

For this ranking lets assume a single punch towards the face from directly in front of you. Not all blocks are created equal and a 3 out of 3 score is best, 2/3 is considered a valid block, 1/3 “might” work, 0/3 is nope nope nope.

Score 3/3

Move, Check, with an Outward block = 3/3

Score 2/3

• No Movement with a Check and Outward Block = 2/3
• Move with a Check = 2/3
• Move with an Outward Block = 2/3

Score 1/3

• No Movement with a Check = 1/3
• No Movement with an Outward Block = 1/3

Score 0/3

• No Movement, no Check, no Outward Block = 0/3
• Checking hand is pushing the attack the same direction that you move = 0/3
• Outward block is guiding the attack the same direction that you move = 0/3

---

Exploring Kata 1 with different blocking combinations

---

Kata 1 – an experiment in Blocking Combinations

Below are some different ways to defend the initial attack as applied to kata 1. We will experiment with moving or checking in different directions, I hope to add video examples of each of these examples over the next few weeks. So stay tuned.

Attack: Lead hand front punch; after 1/4 moon back and pivot

• Left half moon stance, right check – left outward block Score 2/3
• Left half moon stance, right check – left outward block – use leaning factor to move right Score 3/3
• Left check, Right (rear) high outward block Score 2/3

Attack: Lead hand front punch, coming from side, while in horse stance

• Right Quarter moon forward (left hinge forward), left high outward block Score 2/3
• Right Quarter moon forward (left hinge forward), right check, left high outward block Score 3/3

Attack: Lead hand hook punch: after 1/4 moon back and pivot

• Left half moon stance, Sagang Labo Score 3/3

Attack: Lead hand punch, from defensive posture

• Step out to angle 7 high outward block with left Score 2/3
• Step out to angle 7 check with right, high outward block with left Score 3/3

Attack: Lead hand punch, from left half moon stance

• Lead foot escapes to angle 5, rear hand check, Rear foot steps to angle 7, lead hand outward block Score 3/3

---

Outward Blocks with checks

Shaolin Set

Nengli North

Northern Tigers

Nengli South

Invincible Wall

Sho Tung Kwok

Punch Kick Set