Refer to the book for review and make sure that you learn all the movements as well as possible.
INTRODUCTORY LESSON III
You have been studying Kenpo for about one week. Once again — this lesson will build on the previous lessons, so make sure you fully understand Introductory Lessons I and II.
THE DOWNWARD BLOCK
Assume a right-rear Forward Stance making sure that your left knee is bent and directly above the middle of your left foot, and that your right leg is firmly locked. In order to downward block, extend your right arm, fist clenched, to a point in front of your groin, as in fig. 46. Now place your left forearm (fist clenched) in the crook of your right elbow (fig. 47). The arrow in fig. 47 represents the next motion you have to make with your left arm. Sweep it downward to a point over your left knee and as your arm passes your right fist, pull your right fist into your hip (as in fig. 48).
You have now completed the motion of the left downward block. Practice it a few times to get used to the feel of it. You should notice that as you throw your left arm downward, your right arm is moving up to your hip. It is this reverse-action movement that gives the block its power. Reverse motion is used in many Kenpo techniques.
Now stand in a left-rear Forward Stance and switch the roles of your arms. The right downward block is performed as a mirror image of the left downward block. Have your practice partner stand facing you in a stance opposite your own and practice opposite downward blocks. (You can copy each other's movements.) You will find that this "mirror image" exercise is helpful and can be used to practice many movements.
The downward blocking technique you have learned is a defense against kicks to your thighs, groin and sides. You can see that the movements must be made quickly and powerfully in order for the blocks to be effective. The downward block will be used in a defense technique later in this lesson.
THE SIDE SNAP KICK
You have already learned the front snap and the rear kicks — you must now learn the side snap kick. As its name signifies, the side snap kick is used for kicking to either the right or left side. We will start with the right side.
Stand with feet together, knees slightly bent and raise your right leg, knee pointing outward, as in fig. 49. This is the cocked position for a side snap to the right. Now extend your leg as in fig. 50, noting that you focus the kick in the right side-edge of your foot. Pull your leg back to the cocked position and place your foot back on the floor. The motion you have just performed must be made quickly in order to obtain power through the kick and to protect your foot from being grabbed by an attacker. As with the front snap, practice the side snap to approximately knee height.
For the left side snap, assume the position shown in fig. 51, extend to that in fig. 52, return to the fig. 51 position and replant your foot on the floor. Now practice the kick using both speed and power.
THREE KICK COMBINATION
The Three Kick Combination is designed to give you practice in balance as well as kicking form. As with the front snap-rear kick combination, you must not touch the floor with your kicking foot in between kicks.
Stand with feet together, knees slightly bent, and throw a right front snap kick. As you pull it back, angle your knee to the right for a right side snap kick. Throw the right side snap and position yourself for a rear kick. Throw your rear kick and replant your foot on the floor. In order to perform the combination effectively, look in the direction you are kicking.
Practice the same combination kicking with your left foot — just the reverse of kicking with your right. You will find the combinations difficult at first, but as you practice, you will become more proficient at them and your precision, power and balance will greatly improve.
DEFENSE TECHNIQUES
HEADLOCK VARIATION B
The second variation of the Headlock is for a situation in which your attacker's legs are apart, making it impossible for you to step into a Horse Stance as in Variation A (fig. 53). Step forward a few inches on your right foot and drop to your left knee (fig. 54). Strike upward to your attackers groin with a left reverse knife hand, the thumb side (fig. 55). Now form a claw with your left hand (fig. 56) and claw your attacker's groin by drawing your hand straight back between his legs (fig. 57). This motion completes Variation B.
