Chinese Kung-Fu (Kenpo). William D. Scott

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. 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