SNAP KICKS OFF FRONT FEET
Assume a right-rear Forward Stance — you will now be throwing front snap kicks off your front foot (your left). This may seem hard at first, but it is easy. Pull your left knee up and assume the position in fig. 31. You have lifted your left foot and assumed the standard front snap kick cocked position. Now throw the front snap kick and replant your left foot in the Forward Stance position. Practice this motion until it feels comfortable, and then try it from a left-rear Forward Stance. Your fists should remain clenched at your hips and you should try to keep your form as perfect as possible.
INWARD BLOCK AND FRONT SNAP KICK
Stand in a right-rear Forward Stance, fists clenched and resting on your hip bones. Throw a right inward block and follow it with a snap kick off your right (rear) foot as you pull your fist back to your side.
Practice this block and kick motion in all possible combinations (kicking off the front and rear feet from both right- and left-rear stances) but remember, if you block with your right arm, you must kick with your right foot, and alternately if you block with your left arm you must kick with your left foot.
REAR KICK
The rear kick is probably the most difficult move that you have encountered thus far. The movement requires agility, but do not worry if it does not come easily — as you practice it, it will improve.
To begin, stand with feet together, knees slightly bent and your arms at your sides. (While you throw a kick, the leg you are left standing on should be bent to allow for better balance.)
You will first perform a right rear kick, so lift your right knee as in fig. 32. Now, bend forward assuming the position in fig. 33. Kick to the rear as in fig. 34 and rapidly pull your leg back to the fig. 33 position and replant your foot on the floor. If the kick has been performed correctly, you will have thrown your right leg straight back, brushing the inside of your left, and will have focused the kick in your heel (the toughest part of your foot). Since you don't want to injure your foot in an attack situation, be sure to focus the kick in your heel.
It is important to look to the rear as you kick — to actually watch where you are kicking. In an attack situation you can't kick what you can't see. Generally, you can watch your kick in two ways:
1. as you bend forward look over your shoulder and watch your foot kick
2. as you are bent forward look under your leg and watch your foot kick
When you've learned the right rear kick, try the same motion off the left foot. When you can perform both kicks to your satisfaction, move on to the next section.
FRONT SNAP AND REAR KICK COMBINATION
For this exercise, stand with feet together, knees slightly bent and your arms down at your sides. Perform a front snap kick at knee height off your right foot and, without replanting your foot on the floor, bend forward and throw a rear kick. Once again, it is important to look where you are kicking. Remember — watch your foot kick.
Now try the combination off your left side, and don't let your foot touch the floor between kicks. Balance presents the major problem — try to maintain it as well as you can.
DEFENSE TECHNIQUES
ORIENTAL STRANGLE HOLD
Fig. 35 illustrates the Oriental Strangle Hold. In order to break it, step left to a 9:00 Horse Stance while tucking your chin in the crook of your attacker's arm (by the elbow) as in fig. 36. You are now protected from strangulation as your chin is holding his arm away from your throat. Now, raise your right arm, fist clenched and drive your right elbow straight back into your attacker's solar plexus (fig. 37). Use your elbow as a fulcrum and drive your right hammerfist (fig. 38) into your attacker's groin (fig. 39). Now drive your right elbow straight up under your attacker's chin (fig. 40). The hold is broken and your attacker is effectively neutralized.
Once again, this technique can be practiced without a partner playing the role of attacker, but if a partner is used, be careful not to actually strike him. This safe method of striking is called "control," and the best practitioners of the martial arts can control any strike they wish, and they are able to practice and even "fight" without causing injury.
HEADLOCK — VARIATION A
(Attacker's feet are together)
There are four variations for the Headlock (Variations A, B, C and D). Variation A is the first and simplest. The starting position is shown in fig. 41. Step with your right foot to a Horse Stance at 2:30, cocking both your right and left arms for hammerfist strikes (fig. 42). Throw your left hammerfist to your attacker's left kidney, and at the same time, your right to his groin (fig. 43). Now grab your attacker's hair with your left hand (fig. 44) (his hold will be broken) and drive your right palm up under his chin (fig. 45). This palm thrust completes the technique — exercise caution in practicing it.
As with Introductory Lesson I, this second lesson should be practiced and reviewed for about three days before moving on to Introductory Lesson III.
