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"3 Phases of learning"
When a student is first learning Kenpo or
any martial art they learn the basic movements such as stances, blocks,
kicks, and strikes. This gives them the foundation they need to be
efficient in martial arts, especially American Kenpo. Now, in the
beginning stages, it is important to learn self-defense techniques,
sets, and forms step-by-step rather than the non-ideal phase otherwise
it'll be too much for them to grasp and their body and mind will not
know how to respond, at least effectivly. So by doing things
step-by-step, this helps teach the motion that is needed to be
successful in Kenpo. It is also important to practice techniques in
repetition so the student will develop muscle memory of the motion of
the techniques. The more repetition practiced the more comfortable the
student becomes with the motion of the techniques. So i guess what i'm
trying to say is that the less the student has to think about the
techniques the more it becomes a reaction and not a thought process.
As the student comes into the intermediate level the less he or she has
to think about doing the technique step-by-step, at least with their
lower level techniques. Now, of course as they progress through the
ranks, their curriculum becomes more difficult and the motion of the
techniques become more sophisticated. Intermediate level is probably the
most difficult stage for a student because this is where a student will
learn a large portion of their vocabulary of motion. Most martial
artists will say it becomes more difficult as a student gets higher in
rank that the techniques become more difficult, which this is true. But,
I personally feel that once a student gets through the intermediate
level, learning the curriculum becomes easier, only because the students
vocabulary of motion is large enough to learn more sophisticated motion.
Of course, this is the reason why Grandmaster Parker designed the
curriculum of American Kenpo in the order that he did.
Now, once a student has reached advance level this is the stage where
the student can become creative with their motion. In American Kenpo
there are three phases; the Ideal phase, the What if phase, and the
Formulation phase.
The Ideal phase is where a student will learn a certain technique
against a certain attack. In beginning and intermediate level of a
students training they should be concentrating on the Ideal phase. In
the advance level the student should begin exploring the What if phase.
This is where a student should be asking what if an opponent throws a
left, right punch combination instead of a just a single left punch.
This teaches the student to react against an unexpected change in their
opponent's attack. Now, at this level it shouldn't be about how a
technique is designed but, how the motion of the technique is designed.
The student shouldn't worry about doing a technique step by step but, be
more concern about the motion of the technique.
The What If phase automatically takes into the Formulation phase. The
more the student plays with the "what if" phase the more the student
will become creative and will start to create their own techniques. Now,
this if fine as long as the student stays within the concepts, theories,
and principals of American Kenpo. My point is this, once you have
reached an advance level it is no longer about doing a technique step by
step but, about applying the laws of motion that Grandmaster Parker
created for American Kenpo.
Sincerely,
Mr. Maurice A. Gomez Sr.
American Kenpo Karate Black Belt
USA- Head Instructor
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