Belt Requirements

Yellow Belt Requirements

INTRODUCTIONMost people are totally oblivious of danger. Others disregard danger, convinced that danger will never be a part of their life. However, whatever your attitude might be, be realistic and ACCEPT the fact that impending dangers do exist, and consider them seriously. Once you ACCEPT the existence of these impending dangers, and realise that logical measures of prevention can help to avoid them, you have inherently armed yourself with a prime weapon against attack.

You must then create the DESIRE to do something about it, have the CONVICTION to begin your study of preventive measures, and instil the WILL POWER to see your desire to completion.

Whatever the attitude so is the response. When in or out of class treat your fellow students with respect. Belittle no one, encourage all, and become an inspiring example. Develop positive attitudes at all times. Avoid being averse to changing your attitude. Be willing to learn, to think, to accept challenges, to explore, and to share the knowledge learned. As you grasp the elements of the Art, be creative! Do not just solve problems, but discover what they are! Subsequently, do not criticise others unless you have established solutions. Problems without answers serve no purpose. Cultivate flexible thoughts. They help to expand your Vocabulary of Motion. Developing flexible thoughts inevitably leads to increasing your ability to alter and tailor.

Diligently study the terminology for it contains a wealth of answers provided by Mr. Parker. Do not procrastinate. Make every effort to learn the terminology now. It will accelerate your understanding of Kenpo, and increase your enjoyment of the art. Commence with basics. Do not be enticed to advance your study of the art prematurely. Commence with fundamentals of importance. First master your stances. They are the foundation of your fighting art. If you follow this advice, you will find greater enjoyment in Kenpo, and look forward to continued study. This same art will additionally yield self-confidence, self-awareness, alertness, self-discipline, etc.all of which may be called upon if needed to defend yourself.

REQUIREMENTS - SELF DEFENCE TECHNIQUES

1. DELAYED SWORD Front Right Punch or Lapel Grab

2. ALTERNATING MACE Front Two-Hand Push

3. SWORD OF DESTRUCTION Front Left Straight Punch or Roundhouse Punch

4. DEFLECTING HAMMER Front Right Thrust Kick

5. CAPTURED TWIGS Rear Bear-Hug, Arms Pinned

6. GRASP OF DEATH Left Flank -Right Arm Headlock

7. CHECKING THE STORM Right Step Through Overhead Club Attack

8. MACE OF AGGRESSION Two-Hand Lapel Grab

9. ATTACKING MACE Front Right Punch

10. SWORD AND HAMMER Right Flank- Left Hand Shoulder Grab.

11. AGGRESSIVE TWINS Front Two-Hand Push

12. INTELLECTUAL DEPARTURE Front Right Thrust Kick

13. SPREADING THE BRANCH Rear Bear-Hug, Arms Pinned

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FORMS

SHORT FORM 1

SETS

BLOCKING SET 1 (Star Block)

YELLOW FREESTYLE TECHNIQUES

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Belt Requirements

Orange Belt Requirements

INTRODUCTIONIt is sad, but true, that Yellow and Orange Belt students are often like college freshmen, who think they know all the answers. This level of training can be dangerous, and caution is advised when practising with fellow students, or when forced to use the Art in real combat. This primitive stage of learning requires dedicated time and practice. It is an intangible stage cluttered with knowledge that lacks perspective. We, therefore, urge and encourage you to practice faithfully, to understand what you are learning, and to develop mental and physical control. Only after adhering to, or obtaining these qualities, can you move on to the mechanical stage with certainty.

While it is important that you learn the contents of this journal, do not neglect studying your Yellow Belt material. Each level is an important building block. They provide you with basic disciplines that add to the total structure of Kenpo. More importantly, they form the basic foundation of your Kenpo knowledge. Weak basics lead to unsuccessful achievements. Therefore, lengthen your practice sessions, and make each workout productive. View basic disciplines in their embryonic state. As you strive for perfection, increase your awareness of existing details. Learn how these details function. Identify them, dissect them, analyse them, and perfect them. Accomplish this, and you will understand what sophisticated basics are all about.

Perfect your best side first, and then proceed to practice your techniques on your weaker side. There are a number of benefits to this; (1) it forces you to take the time to analyse your stronger side, which in turn, (2) makes you become more aware of the points you may have overlooked, (3) increases the strength of your weak side, (4) expands your vocabulary of motion by increasing your knowledge of variables, and (5) leads to acquiring more ambidextrous qualities.

It is important that you begin to set personal goals at this learning stage. Develop various aspects of your material, as well as improve self-discipline, self-awareness, self-confidence, will power etc. Prepare yourself inwardly to meet the challenges of daily life. The qualities that help you master the Art can enhance other aspects of your life. In time, you will be able to compatibly apply these facets to your family life, school activities, work contacts, etc. Always be conscious of who you are. Remember that you are steadily taking on greater responsibilities. The effects of your activities will have a direct reflection on your school, your Art, and your Association. With that in mind, conduct yourself in a manner that you can be proud. To state it differently, you are increasingly becoming a miniature showcase of our system. Learn to ask intelligent questions and to explain your Art to others. Do not be overly critical of other styles, or practitioners of other styles. Try to learn about their Arts, and gather adequate information to understand and converse with them intelligently.

REQUIREMENTS - SELF DEFENCE TECHNIQUES

1. CLUTCHING FEATHERS Front Left Hand Hair Grab

2. TRIGGERED SALUTE Front Right Hand Direct Push

3. DANCE OF DEATH Front Right Straight Punch with Left Leg Forward

4. THRUSTING SALUTE Front Right Step Through Kick

5. GIFT OF DESTRUCTION Handshake

6. LOCKING HORNS Front Headlock

7. EVADING THE STORM Front Right Step Through Overhead Club

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8. LONE KIMONO Front Left Hand Lapel Grab

9. GLANCING SALUTE Front Right Hand Cross Push

10. FIVE SWORDS Front Right Step Through Roundhouse Punch

11. SCRAPING HOOF Full Nelson

12. GRIP OF DEATH Left Flank Right Arm Headlock

13. REPEATING MACE Front Left Hand Punch

14. SHIELDING HAMMER Front Left Step Through Hooking Punch

15. STRIKING SERPENTS HEAD Front Bear-Hug, Arms Free

16. CRASHING WINGS Rear Bear-Hug, Arms Free

FORMS

LONG FORM 1

SETS

KICKING SET 1 (Right & Left Side)

ORANGE FREESTYLE TECHNIQUES

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Belt Requirements

Purple Belt Requirements

INTRODUCTIONYour progress toward Purple Belt entails "learning how to learn". It requires spending your time constructively, discarding such statements as, "I love work, I can sit and watch it all day." Remember that skill can only come about through the proper use of time, and disciplined effort. There is no other way, especially if you desire to become self-correcting. As with other facets of your training, tailoring is important. Identical ingredients to successful learning may not apply to all, but the proportion of each ingredient will vary according to an individual's natural attributes.

Some of the ingredients necessary for effective learning are CONCENTRATION, COORDINATION, MATHEMATICAL PRECISION, TIMING, PERSEVERANCE, and MENTAL DISCIPLINE. It is only natural that you may be required to work harder at one precept than that of another, but the key is to have each precept developed proportionately to the limits of your present capacity. We can say this of the following:

1. CONCENTRATION enables you to analyse each situation, evaluate its importance, and come to a satisfactory conclusion. At the Purple belt level you should be able to intelligently ask questions and discuss the Martial Arts with any Black Belt.

2. COORDINATION, though lacking in some individuals, can be developed. You must strive to be equally co-ordinated on both sides of your self-defence techniques, freestyle techniques, and your forms. Co-ordination is necessary because it allows you to have your body function harmoniously and effectively with your mind.

3. MATHEMATICAL PRECISION must be learned for you to increase your effectiveness with each move. At this level your stance work should be nearly impeccable. It requires having your upper body synchronise with your stances.

4. TIMING is another ingredient that contributes to your scale of effectiveness. It is the regulation of speed with which each technique is performed that produces effective results. As you learn to bring all of your basics into "SYNC", you will have realised a key ingredient to becoming a Purple Belt.

5. PERSEVERANCE is that driving force that allows you to see a goal to its conclusion. It is that act or quality of never giving up in spite of the difficulties encountered. Your instructor may have been able to "make" you a Yellow Belt or an Orange Belt, but he cannot "make" you a Purple Belt. This you will have to do with intense work and the guidance of your instructor.

6. MENTAL DISCIPLINE trains your mind to develop order, self- control, character, and efficiency. It is that ability to discipline, train, and control your mind that ultimately earns you the rank of Purple Belt.

Developing these principles helps to instil grace and confidence, while simultaneously implanting humility and respect for authority, and acceptable tradition. Through dedicated practice, humility will automatically eliminate pride and self-assertion. When this is accomplished, respect is gained.

REQUIREMENTS - SELF DEFENCE TECHNIQUES

1.TWIRLING WINGS Rear Two-Hand Stiff-Arm Shoulder Grab

2.SNAPPING TWIG Front Left Hand Chest Push

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3.LEAPING CRANE Front Right Step Through Punch

4.BUCKLING BRANCH Front Left Step Through Kick

5.CRUSHING HAMMER Rear Bear-Hug, Arms Pinned

6.CAPTURED LEAVES Right Flank Finger Lock

7.CALMING THE STORM Front Right Step Through Roundhouse Club

8.CROSSING TALON Front Right Cross Wrist Grab

9.REVERSING MACE Front Left Step Through Straight Punch

10.THRUSTING PRONGS Front Bear-Hug, Arms Pinned

11.LOCKEDWING Rear Hammerlock

12.OBSCURE WING Right Flank Left Hand Shoulder Grab

13.RAINING CLAW Front Right Uppercut Punch

14.SPIRALLING TWIG Rear Bear-Hug, Arms Free

15.TWISTED TWIG Front Wrist Lock

16.OBSCURE SWORD Right Flank Left Hand Shoulder Grab

FORMS

SHORT FORM 2

OWN FORM - 5 TECHNIQUES

SETS

STANCE SET 1

CO-ORDINATION SET 1

PURPLE BELT FREESTYLE TECHNIQUES

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Belt Requirements

Blue Belt Requirements

INTRODUCTION The Blue Belt level will require exceptional perseverance. To obtain this level you must be willing to spend time and energy. You must be prepared to sweat, and to sweat often. Above all, you must learn to work intelligently. Working intelligently will teach you that while the ultimate in proficiency comes from simplicity and repetition, the use of logic is what makes learning functional and practical.

The Blue Belt requirements encourage you to pursue avenues of excellence. They teach you how to become fluid, to develop flawless stances, to perform crisp and focused forms, and the value of confining your movements within the framework of your Outer Rim. Further study will broaden your understanding of Transition, Directional Harmony, and how to apply Continuity of Motion when sparring.

The Blue Belt precepts place major emphasis on self-defence techniques. They teach technique refinement by adding simple Suffixes to your basic moves, and how Compounding the Sequential Flow of your techniques can actually fill in the Dead Space that occurs during each transition. This procedure (Compounding) helps to reveal Hidden Moves that would have otherwise gone unnoticed. Needless to say, the benefits are abundant. You will be introduced to both the Web of Knowledge and the merits of Family Groupings. You will be encouraged to spend numerous hours in these areas to further your growth from the mechanical stage to the spontaneous stage of the art.

Kenpo is a System that is built around three key words: concept, theory, and principle. However, Mr. Parker's Kenpo System teaches you to develop your own style rather than to become a reflection of your instructor. To complete the continuous learning cycle of Kenpo you are also taught to remain flexible in your thinking. This, hopefully, will return you to the concept.

Each and every self-defence technique, freestyle technique, and form that you learn in Ed Parker's American Kenpo is an idea, or series of ideas. As logic commands your reasoning you will be able to understand these ideas in all stages (primitive, mechanical, and spontaneous) of development. You will discover that all ideas throughout the system are equally valid. Consequently, an idea learned as a White Belt is just as valid as an idea learned as a Brown Belt. You do not have to wait until you are a Black Belt to get to the "meat" of the art. You can learn any of the ideas in the system. However, until your mental, emotional, and physical development profits through the various stages of learning (primitive, mechanical, and spontaneous), many of the ideas will be only slightly useful or in some cases not useful until later during your training. Without the proper training your art will remain intangible. With training these ideas will become tangible and increasingly operative.

REQUIREMENTS - SELF DEFENCE TECHNIQUES

1. TWIN KIMONO Front Two-Hand Lapel Grab

2. PARTING WINGS Front Two-Hand Push

3. THUNDERING HAMMERS Front Right Step through Punch

4. SWINGING PENDULUM Front Right Roundhouse Kick

5. SQUEEZING THE PEACH Rear Bear-Hug, Arms Pinned

6. CIRCLING WING Rear Two-Hand Choke -Arms Bent

7. OBSTRUCTING THE STORM Right Step through Overhead Club

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8. DARTING MACE Front Two-Hand Wrist Grab

9. HOOKING WINGS Front Two-Hand Low Push

10. SHIELD AND SWORD Front Left Step through Punch

11. GIFT IN RETURN Front Handshake

12. BOW OF COMPULSION Front Wrist Lock against Opponents Chest

13. CHARGING RAM Front Tackle with Arms Extended Wide

14. SLEEPER Front Right Step Through Punch Straight Punch

15. CROSS OF DESTRUCTION Rear Two-Hand Choke

16. FLIGHT TO FREEDOM Rear Hammerlock

FORMS

LONG FORM 2

OWN FORM - 10 TECHNIQUES

SETS

FINGER SET 1

STRIKE SET 1

BLUE FREESTYLE TECHNIQUES

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Belt Requirements

Green Belt Requirements

INTRODUCTION Speed is one of the key ingredients in your development toward Green Belt. Mr. Parker's quote, "He who hesitates meditates in horizontal position" is an indication of how speed can work for or against you. The quote "To beat action, meet action." confirms the merits of the use of speed. It is important, therefore, that speed be stressed in all of the Green Belt material. While the Purple Belt material required developing co-ordination on both left and right sides, and the Blue Belt stressed fluidity and continuity of motion; the Green Belt material capitalises on speed. Following this introduction there is a section on speed which contains a wealth of information that you should scrutinise.

Remember! Do not be enticed to advance your study of the art prematurely. When you learn a new idea, you are responsible for developing it to an acceptable level before graduating to another plateau of learning. The amount of time and work you put into it is up to you, but the results must satisfy the standards. Therefore, practice with understanding. Know the how, what, and why of what you practice.

Learning Kenpo at this stage should be easy for you. It is the proper application of Kenpo that requires more dedicated effort on your part. You must develop a positive and unconquerable attitude, become more persistent, constantly aware of detail, more flexible, quicker, stronger, more intense, as well as assert greater control of your emotions. You must be realistic in your approach, and be able to apply your art with maximum effectiveness.

Your basics should reflect your basic understanding of the concepts and principles of technique movement. Mentally, physically, and emotionally our actions should be Directionally Harmonised. When executing your Forms, you should move with speed and clarity of motion. There should be no mumbled motion. Your attitude should be confident and inspiring.

When Freestyling apply your moves with continuity and speed. Internalised with a positive and unconquerable attitude, you should be able to destroy your opponent's foundation and confidence with intimidating ease. Periodically re-examine your basics. Do not take them for granted. Review the topics that comprise your Eight Considerations. Analyse, understand, and apply them when sparring. Develop solutions to sparring situations against multiple attackers.

Similar to your Blue Belt material, major emphasis will be attached to self-defence techniques. Add your Green Belt techniques into your Web of Knowledge, and Family Groupings. Additionally, re-examine the suffixing of all your techniques and try to advance them to new co-ordination levels that fit you. You will learn to fill Dead Space during your Sequential Flow of action, by inserting other Words of Motion. This should teach you to construct more sophisticated Sentences and Paragraphs of motion. Sophistication requires review. Dedicate many hours working your Orange and Purple Belt techniques. Analyse them from Three Points of View. Refine their themes by continually drilling the principles contained in each move. Once you feel the effectiveness of each IDEAL PHASE, practice the SECOND and THIRD PHASES of each technique.

Learn to combine realism with effective self-defence methods. Get into the spirit of the technique and encourage your partner to get into the spirit of the attack. Grasp the principles associated with each move, and learn to tailor them to your own distinctive capabilities. As you learn to tailor, you learn to become innovative. As variables become routine, appropriate responses become second nature and spontaneous. Such responses may be necessary in the street where a surprise attack may delay your ability to examine all of the possible options. Only instinctive

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responses, developed through logical training methods and conditioning, provide the proper transfer of knowledge required In these situations. Logic as it applies to the times is your key to success.

REQUIREMENTS - SELF DEFENCE TECHNIQUES

1. BEGGING HANDS Front Two-Hand Grab to Wrists

2. THRUSTING WEDGE Front Two-Hand High Push

3. FLASHING WINGS Front Right Step Through Punch

4. HUGGING PENDULUM Front Right Thrusting Knife-Edge Kick

5. REPEATED DEVASTATIONS Full Nelson

6. DESTRUCTIVE TWIN Front Two-Hand Choke - Pulling In

7. DEFYING THE STORM Front Right Step Through Roundhouse Club

8. CROSSED TWIGS Rear Two-Hand Grab to Wrists

9. SNAKING TALON Front Two-Hand Push

10. SHIELD AND MACE Front Right Step Through Punch

11. RETREATING PENDULUM Front Right Thrusting Heel Kick Executed with either a Right Step-through or a Left Rear Crossover

12. TRIPPING ARROW Front Bear-Hug, Arms Free

13. WINGS OF SILK Rear Two-Arm Armlike

14. CONQUERING SHIELD Front Left Stiff-Arm Lapel Grab

15. ENTANGLED WING Front Arm Lock

16. RAKING MACE Front Two-Hand Lapel - Pulling In

FORMS

SHORT FORM 3

OWN FORM - 15 TECHNIQUES

SETS

CO-ORDINATION SET 2

GREEN FREESTYLE TECHNIQUES

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Belt Requirements

1st Brown Belt Requirements

INTRODUCTION A major criteria for obtaining your First Degree Brown Belt is an in-depth evaluation of your attitudes. It is important that you ask yourself what are your attitudes toward training or when training? What are your views concerning fighting or when fighting? If ever involved in a life or death situation, to what extent would you implement your knowledge? Would you gauge your knowledge to match the situation? Or, would you allow your emotions to take over? What are your attitudes toward teaching others? What attitudes do you wish to instil in your students? Are you satisfied with your present knowledge of Kenpo or are you willing to strive for higher goals and refinements? There is a special section following this introduction on attitude that should help you understand its importance.

You must again explore the idea that, "For every move, concept, theory, principle, and definition there is an opposite and a reverse." For First Degree Brown Belt you will be encouraged to apply this idea when blocking, especially with your feet. While most systems stress blocking and striking with their hands, do not overlook the importance of learning how to block and strike with your feet. Since the majority of street encounters result in one or more opponents on the ground, it only stands to reason that you should be confident in your ability to block as well as strike with your legs and feet. When confronted with such predicaments there is a high probability of your legs being used to block with. Therefore, you should familiarise yourself with a variety of dimensional predicaments. It is imperative that you spend hours learning to block as well as strike with your legs and feet when confronted with such encounters.

Long Form #4 has often been referred to as containing the "meat" of Ed Parker's Kenpo. Since "forms are expressions of basic skills", you must develop Long Form #4 to a point of expressing your physical, mental, and emotional levels combined with your breathing techniques. Synchronise these ingredients and you are well on the road to Harnessing Force, Intoning Motion, etc. Needless to say your movements should be crisp, precise, powerful, as well as contain sequential flow. Furthermore, scrutinise and analyse the form until you realise the many technicalities that it teaches. Practice with the goal of internalizing these concepts as well as those introduced in previous forms.

Your Blue Belt introduced you to the benefits of suffixing. You, therefore, should have become reasonably acquainted with its use in all of the techniques learned. Investigating and experimenting with all prospects of suffixing when practising your techniques is essential. This trend should continue throughout all of your belt levels. each technique has a theme; that is it teaches a concept, theory, or principle not contained elsewhere, or an interesting perspective of how to modify your existing knowledge. Caution! You certainly must develop your basic Techniques to a proficient level before trying to use any extension of them. It would be unwise to add to a weak base.

During the study of your First Degree Brown Belt level please emphasise your freestyle training. You must continue to explore the blending of your self-defense concepts with those of your freestyle concepts. Additionally, you must employ greater timing as you refine your use of the Dimensional Stages of Action. You should make every effort to incorporate the use of body manoeuvres when employing your defensive and offensive skills.

REQUIREMENTS - SELF DEFENCE TECHNIQUES

1. FATAL CROSS Front Two -Hand Attempted Low Grab or Push

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2. THRUST INTO DARKNESS Rear Right Step Through Punch

3. CIRCLING FANS Front Left & Right Front Straight Punch

4. DANCE OF DARKNESS Front Right Kick Followed by a Right Punch

5. FALCONS OF FORCE Flank Left & Right Shoulder Grabs/Two Men

6. BEAR AND THE RAM Front Right Punch/Rear Bear-Hug, Arms Free/Two Men

7. CLIPPING THE STORM Front Right Thrusting Club

8. CIRCLING WINDMILLS Front Two-Hand Push Followed by Right Punch

9. LEAP OF DEATH Front Right Step Through Straight Punch

10. PROTECTING FANS Front Left & Right Punch Combination

11. REVERSING CIRCLES Front Left Roundhouse Kick and Left Punch

12. COURTING THE TIGER Flank Left & Right Arm & Shoulder Grabs by Two Men

13. GATHERING OF THE SNAKES Front Left Punch/Rear Right Punch/Two Men

14. RAINING LANCE Front Right Step Through Overhead Knife Attack

15. DESTRUCTIVE FANS Left Flank Right Step Through Punch

16. UNFURLING CRANE Front Left & Right Punch

17. UNWINDING PENDULUM Front Right Kick & Right Punch Combination

18. GRASPING EAGLES Front Right Lapel Grab/Rear Right Arm Grab by Two Men

19. PARTING OF THE SNAKES Front Right Punch/Attempt/ Two Men

20. GLANCING LANCE Front Right Step Through Knife Thrust

FORMS

Long Form 4

Own Form 20 Techniques

SETS

Striking Set 2

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Belt Requirements

2nd Brown Belt Requirements

INTRODUCTION For every move, concept, principle, theory, or definition, there is an opposite and a reverse. If you can fully grasp this statement, you can "infinitely" expand your Vocabulary of Motion. Not only will this statement help you to expand your vocabulary, but also if properly understood and internalised, spontaneity will develop beyond your expectations.

Remember -- logic combined with realistic thinking is the key. You must thoroughly understand the terms opposite and reverse and learn to apply them appropriately. If there is a right inward block, then there must be a left inward block (the opposite of). If there are inward blocks, then there are outward blocks (the reverse of). Deductively, if there are inward overhead claws, then there are outward overhead claws, and if there are overhead claws there must be underhand claws, etc.

As part of your study for Second Degree Brown Belt you will be required to analyse and apply the above statement to every facet of Kenpo. This will place special emphasis on how this comprehensive statement applies to stances, manoeuvres, blocks, and strikes, including the Universal Pattern. Therefore, diligently study the Universal Pattern. Learn the many basics and the corresponding names that describe the various movements and Points of Reference contained in the Universal Pattern. Visualise the Universal Pattern on nine planes -- not one.

At this stage of your training you should have substantially internalised the basic concepts, theories, principles of technique movement, and the terms and definitions related thereto. Your basics, forms, techniques, and freestyle capabilities should clearly express your successful development of co-ordination, fluidity, speed, and power. Internalised with all of these aspects, as well as having an in-depth knowledge of the terms opposite and reverse, you are now ready for a formal introduction to man-made weapons. To refresh your memory man-made weapons are those implementations created or used by man to defend and/or aggressively use as a means of survival. Natural weapons are the body limbs, which we employ to defend ourselves.

The knowledge and skill acquired through 2nd Brown should aid your study of man-made weapons. Although employment of man-made weapons is no more than extensions of your present knowledge, they do demand higher levels of sophistication. Consequently, the need to fit and tailor each weapon to your specific body dimensions again applies. Anything contrary to employing the principles of proportional dimension will limit the full potential of your skills.

Your first introduction will be to learn to work with the staff. Although there are two methods of employing the staff, single-end or double-end, focus will be on the double-end staff.

Both methods require fitting the staff to your body dimensions. In the case of a single-end staff, proper measurements can be obtained by standing flat-footed and raising your right arm toward the sky with your arm and fingers fully extended.

The length of your staff can be established by (1) planting one end of the staff to the right of your right foot, (2) with the major portion of your staff placed alongside of your right thigh and raised right arm, and (3) the opposite end of your staff positioned inside of the palm of your right hand. You are to then mark the top of your staff just above where your middle finger ends. Cut the staff at this point and you are now ready to function more efficiently with a single-end staff.

For a double-end staff stand flatfooted and measure the length of your staff by having one end planted on the ground in front of you and the other end raised

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vertically past your eyebrows. Mark the top of your staff just above the level of your eyebrows, and cut the staff at this point. You are now ready to function more efficiently with two ends of the staff.

Working with the staff will produce many benefits. Among them are:

1. Greater opportunity to increase muscle tone.

2. Increased muscle awareness and flexibility.

3. Increased consciousness of control.

4. The value of confining moves to be more functional and effective.

5. Increased perception when employing an extension to the limbs.

6. Greater awareness of the usefulness and importance of joints.

7. A deeper understanding of the importance of contouring.

8. Co-ordination of intermittent use of natural weapons and man-made weapons.

Continue to refine your knowledge of the many concepts, theories, and principles that enhance your self-defence techniques with or without man-made weapons. To expand your knowledge of Kenpo even further, you will be introduced to Master Key Techniques. With a rudimentary knowledge of Master Key Techniques you will be prepared for the major emphasis of this belt level -- freestyle. You must no longer perceive the concepts, theories, and principles of your self-defence and freestyle techniques as separate ideas.

"Isolation invariably leads to formulation.

Remember, "The Equation Formula is the Universal Pattern expressed with principles".

REQUIREMENTS SELF DEFENCE TECHNIQUES

1.MENACING TWIRL Rear Left Hand Belt Grab

2.LEAP FROM DANGER Rear Two-Hand Push

3.CIRCLES OF PROTECTION Front Right Step through Overhead Punch

4.ROTATING DESTRUCTION Front Right Snap & Left Spinning Back Kick

5.BROKEN GIFT Front Handshake

6.ESCAPE FROM DEATH Rear Right-Arm Choke

7.CAPTURING THE STORM Front Right Step through Overhead Club

8.INTERCEPTING THE RAM Front Tackle

9.BACK BREAKER Right Flank Right Step Through Punch

10.DECEPTIVE PANTHER Combination Right Front Snap Kick (Low) & Right Roundhouse Kick (High)

11.TWIRLING SACRIFICE Full Nelson

12.HEAVENLY ASCENT Front Two-Hand Choke, Arms Straight

13.SECURING THE STORM Front Right Step Through Roundhouse Club

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14.FALLING FALCON Front Right Direct Lapel Grab

15.TAMING THE MACE Front Right Step through Punch

16.DEFENSIVE CROSS Front Right Snap Kick

17.CROSS OF DEATH Front Two-Hand Cross Choke

18.KNEEL OF COMPULSION Right Flank Right Step Through Punch

19.BOWING TO BUDDHA Front Right Roundhouse Kick, while Kneeling

20.GLANCING WING Front Left Uppercut Punch

FORMS

STAFF FORM 1

OWN FORMS - 20 TECHNIQUES

SETS

KICKING SET 2

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Belt Requirements

3rd Brown Belt Requirements

INTRODUCTION "Power" is one of the key ingredients in your development toward Third Degree Brown Belt. If you have trained regularly and intelligently, and have followed the guidelines of the preceding journals, generating power at this level should come easily to you. Through the gradual stages of co-ordination, fluidity, and speed you should now be at a level where you can "concentrate" as well as "synchronise" your body, mind, and breath. Always remember, "Flow first, power later". Remember that it is not the aim of Kenpo to merely produce a skilful as well as powerful practitioner, but to create a well-integrated student respectful of all. The superconscious self is like a genie within you who, when called upon, performs beyond the limits placed upon your natural or normal self. This "power" may be used for the benefit or destruction of yourself and/or others. Always use discretion when expending power.

As a Brown Belt you will have reached an advanced stage of training. You should have read, as much as possible, from Mr. Parker's writings. Now, more than ever, you must be a positive example to your fellow students. Others will be looking to you for guidance and training. You must train regularly, diligently, and with intensity. In order to do and explain Mr. Parker's system, you must be able to intellectually and intuitively understand it's simplicity, and its sophistication.

Your basics should reflect your new understanding of the concepts and principles of technique movement. Power should emanate as a result of the integration of those concepts and principles.

Employ feinting when freestyling. Know when to use it and how to use it to your advantage. Discern when to attack in a direct line, and when to attack on an angle. Know when to attack with explosive flurries, and when to yield. Spend time learning, understanding, and internalising the many aspects of Environment. Determine how Environment can work for or against you, or your opponent(s). Be confident when sparring multiple opponents.

Major emphasis will again be placed on Self-Defense Techniques. All prior knowledge must be applied to your new material. An added feature is the Analysis of Motion. Study and application of its contents will lead you to greater levels of spontaneity. As a final note, you must dedicate extensive, but intelligent hours, to the practice of your Third Degree Brown Belt Techniques. Lessons at this level represent sophisticated motion viewed on a higher plane. Self-Defense Techniques against multiple attackers, knife attacks, concepts of surveying, etc. demand exceptional technical skills.

Therefore, do not be enticed to advance your study prematurely.

Understand the "Themes" of these techniques. They insure maximum benefit once properly understood.

Be prepared to test in front of the A.K.K.S. testing board. Your Thesis Abstract should be clear and concise. Your Thesis Form should be creative, as well as an expression of harmonious, and powerful movements. You must be tuned to maximum performance. You must have strength, flexibility, speed, and endurance. Your physical movements must be an expression of you -- of the internal harmony that lies within you. Internal harmony gives you the confidence and ability to apply your knowledge. It helps to control fear and anger, to develop a positive attitude, and residually permits unrelenting action.

It allows you to get the job done, no matter what the task.

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Belt Requirements

3rd DEGREE BROWN BELT REQUIREMENTS

1.DOMINATING CIRCLES Front Offset Right Hand Grab to Right Shoulder

2.TWIST OF FATE Front Two-Hand Push

3.FLASHING MACE Front Right Step Through Punch

4.DETOUR FROM DOOM Front Right Roundhouse Kick

5.GIFT OF DESTINY Front Handshake

6.BLINDING SACRIFICE Front Two-Hand Shoulder Grab

7.RETURNING STORM Front Inward Roundhouse and Backhand Club

8.GLANCING SPEAR Front Right Direct, Left Wrist Grab

9.ENCOUNTER WITH DANGER Front Two-Hand Push

10.GATHERING CLOUDS Front Right Punch

11.CIRCLE OF DOOM Front Right Straight Kick

12.SQUATTING SACRIFICE Rear Bear-Hug, Arms Free

13.FALLEN CROSS Rear Two-Hand Choke

14.BRUSHING THE STORM Right Flank Right Step Though Overhead Club

15.DESPERATE FALCON Front Two-Hand Direct Grabs to Both Wrists

16. CIRCLING THE HORIZON Front Right Step Through Punch

17.GRIPPING TALON Front Left Direct Grab to the Right Wrist

18.BROKEN RAM Front Tackle

19.CIRCLING DESTRUCTION Front Left Step Through Punch

20.OBSCURE CLAWS Right Flank Left Hand Shoulder Grab

FORMS

LONG FORM 3

OWN FORM - 20 TECHNIQUES

SETS

STANCE SET 2

BLOCKING SET 2

BROWN FREESTYLE TECHNIQUES

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Belt Requirements

Black Belt Requirements

1ST DEGREE BLACK BELT PLEDGEI HOLD THAT MY TIME AND MY SKILL ARE THE ASSETS TO MY PROFESSION, ASSETS WHICH GROW IN VALUE AS I PROGRESS IN KENPO, UNTIL AS A THIRD DEGREE BLACK BELT I STAND AS A FULLY QUALIFIED INSTRUCTOR. IT SHALL ALSO BE MY RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT ANY INDIVIDUALS WHO WOULD TRY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF PERSONAL WEAKNESSES TO DIVEST THE GULLIBLE INTO UNPROFITABLE PATHS. TO PRESERVE THE SACRED THINGS, FAMILY, GOD, AND COUNTRY, I PLEDGE MY ALL.

ED PARKER.

WHAT IT MEANS TO BE AN ED PARKER BLACK BELTWhile physical skills are mandatory prerequisites for obtaining a Black Belt, a true Black Belt is one who is expedient in his use of psychological strategy. Psychological strategy transpires when the attitude of a Black Belt is such that his spiritual qualities overcome his physical fixations. When a Black Belt conveys kindness instead of hate, peace instead of animosity, and uses words instead of his fists, he is truly a Black Belt.

 President Abraham Lincoln, in my estimation, conveyed this spirit. He was an expert when it came to utilising psychological strategy. The following story is proof of his convictions:

Lincoln, in his youth, was hated by Sam Brown who looked for every opportunity to fight with him. One day an opportunity presented itself when Sam accidentally (or purposely) bumped Lincoln. Using this as an excuse to start a confrontation, Brown challenged Lincoln to a duel. The choice off weapons were determined by Brown who naturally picked a weapon with which he was an expert -- that weapon was an axe. Lincoln refused the challenge and was then told that he had no choice except to name the time and place. Having no knowledge about fighting with an axe, Lincoln decided to take advantage of the two choices left him. According to history, Lincoln was well over six feet four inches tall while Sam was only five feet eight inches in height. Taking into account their difference in height, Lincoln answered, "I'll fight you tomorrow morning at 8:00 a.m. under six feet of water". The episode ended with Sam Brown shaking Lincoln's hand and saying, "Let me shake the hand of the man who beat me verbally." Lincoln's psychological strategy worked and both men later became good friends.

Should you lack knowledge of the Martial Arts and, Like Lincoln, be challenged to a duel by a Martial Artist who is an expert kicker and who allows you to name the time and place, give him this reply--"I will fight you tomorrow morning at 8:00 a.m. in the telephone booth located on the corner of___and_____". When your opponent arrives, invite him into the telephone booth with you and shut the door. The lack of space will thwart his efforts to retaliate with kicks. Psychological strategy would have triumphed again as you utilise environment as a means of defeat.

QUALITIESThe following is a list of some of the qualities you should evaluate in critiquing yourself as a Black Belt in Ed Parker's American Kenpo:

1. Build a solid foundation of basics with knowledge of every component part.

2. Have a thorough knowledge and understanding of principles associated with your basics.

3. As you understand and internalise your principles, learn to logically assemble them so that your moves flow with continuity.

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Belt Requirements

4. Once internalising all of the above in establishing basics that are competent, reliable, and dependable TAILORING is your next order of priority. Tailoring is the result of understanding what constitutes good basics. It is the ability to randomly convert your art from the IDEAL, to the WHAT IF, and finally to the FORMULATION PHASE.

5. Develop creativity once having knowledge of formulating your basics.

6. Know your forms from all levels -- skeletal to levels of intricacy.

7. Know how to create forms as well as the what's and the whys so that you'll be able to help the lower belts in their creations.

8. With your forms develop:

o Basic principles of technique movement, understand the central idea of each form and have both the ability and desire to discover what they teach and how to apply that knowledge to the art of self defence.

o Your individual style of movement.

9. Know as well as teach the IDEAL techniques and their associated themes and principles. Expand into the WHAT IF and the FORMULATION PHASES.

10. Continue to improve your freestyle skills by participating in it regularly. Include street freestyle in your class sessions and the logical criteria that it is based on. Pass on your skills to fellow members or students.

11. When freestyling remember:

12. Every angle that you choose as a defence your opponent may choose as an offence, and vice-versa.

13. Stances are the foundation of your art.

14. Develop Timing - know when to move in and when to move back.

15. Be a capable counter puncher.

16. Have a solid base move to build upon.

17. Be able to analyse motion so that you can employ proper angles and directions when entering or departing.

18. Develop your ability to teach others. Remember to teach others is to teach yourself.

19. Develop qualities of leadership that will influence, encourage and guide those of lesser rank.

20. Cultivate an attitude of respect and regard toward others no matter what their rank might be.

21. Develop diplomacy and use it wisely.

22. Encourage others to become association members.

23. Continue to seek higher goals. Endeavour to continue learning and updating your material.

24. Make every effort to continually improve yourself: physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

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Belt Requirements

25. Remember that there are no stereotypes.

26. You will need years of training, but that should be ultimately measured in the number of quality, intelligent hours that you train.

27. You must put time back into your school (teaching, etc.).

28. Your attitude should be positive and confident. Believe in yourself.

29. For Black Belts to obtain advanced degrees, their names must be submitted for testing by their instructor.

ATTITUDEYou must again explore the idea that, "For every move, concept, theory, principle, and definition there is an opposite and a reverse." For First Degree Brown Belt you are encouraged to apply this idea when blocking, especially with your feet. While most systems stress blocking and striking with their hands, do not overlook the importance of learning how to block and strike with your feet. Since the majority of street encounters result in one or more opponents on the ground, it only stands to reason that you should be confident in your ability to block as well as strike with your legs and feet. When confronted with such predicaments there is a high probability of your legs being used to block with. Therefore, you should familiarise yourself with a variety of dimensional predicaments. It is imperative that you spend hours learning to block as well as strike with your legs and feet when confronted with such encounters.

REQUIRED TECHNIQUES FOR FIRST DEGREE BLACK BELT(In the order they are to be taught)

1. DESTRUCTIVE KNEELFront Right Step through Punch

2. ENTWINED MACESFront Right and Left Punch (Opponent's Left Leg is Forward)

3. MARRIAGE OF THE RAMSRight and Left Shoulder Grabs, Close by Two Men

4. RAM AND THE EAGLEFront Right Punch and Rear Left Collar Grab by Two Men

5. ESCAPE FROM THE STORMRight Step through Overhead Club -- Right Flank

6. THRUSTING LANCEFront Right Step through Knife Thrust

7. CAPTURING THE RODFront Right Pistol, Against Your Chest

8. PRANCE OF THE TIGERRight Step through Uppercut from Right Flank

9. FATAL DEVIATIONFront Right and Left Punch (Opponent's Right Leg is Forward)

10. SNAKES OF WISDOMFlank Left & Right Shoulder Grabs by Two Men

11. REPRIMANDING THE BEARSRight Front Punch and Rear Bear-Hug, Arms Pinned by Two Men

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Belt Requirements

12. CIRCLING THE STORMRight Front Club Thrust

13. ENTWINED LANCEFront Right Step through Knife Thrust

14. BROKEN ROD Rear Right Hand Pistol Holdup

15. TWIRLING HAMMERSFront Left Step through Punch

16. PIERCING LANCEFront Left Step through PunchFront Right Knife Thrust

17. UNFOLDING THE DARK Left Step through Punch from Right Rear Flank

18. DEFYING THE RODFront Right Pistol Holdup

19. ESCAPE FROM DARKNESSRight Punch from Left Rear Flank

20. TWISTED RODFront Right Pistol Holdup

 

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