Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Grafting DVD released

I am excited to announce that my new training DVD based on my book, GRAFTING: Bridges within American Kenpo has been released. This video is an overview of material covered in the book. Get your copy today at www.tskenpo.com

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Finished trailer for Grafting DVD

I finished the full trailer for my new Grafting DVD.
Let me know what you think.

Monday, November 23, 2009

Grafting DVD trailer released

I am excited to announce that we will be releasing the first training DVD based on my grafting book in December. I have posted a short trailer on youtube.com.

Monday, September 21, 2009

The Grafting Matrix

My innovative "Grafting Matrix" is a visual tool that breaks an attack and response down to its individual parts. In breaking the action down into small parts, we can isolate, train, explore how each segment affects the whole of the conflict.

For example...

During the initial attack, we will run the attack through "FILTERS". From the filters we will respond with a defense or "entry into" a technique. If that reaction solves the problem, wonderful, the fight is over. If not...

One or more of the three "TRIGGERS" will come into play. the action of the trigger will lead us to one of five "BRIDGES" as our next response. The bridges will bring into play a new "entry into" a technique. If that was sufficient the problem is solved. If not...

At least part of the cycle might need to be repeated.

In examining the smaller parts of the action, we can train specific options, look at other potential problems our reaction might cause, learn how the triggers will rule out certain bridges as options. We can also train to add information to our filters in order to increase the use of the filters as "good tools."

Next time.... Intimate understandings!

Friday, September 18, 2009

Concept of Conflict FILTERS

In studying grafting in American Kenpo I have tried to narrow down mentally what happens at the moment the conflict becomes physical.

In exploring how we find our way to a viable response to someone's actual attack, I realize that the human mind, for most of us, runs through a series of things. Our initial reaction can be based on a number of factors.

I believe these factors are "filtered" to get to a quicker response. This allows us to setup what I refer to as the "Entry" to a technique. the Entry is the initial block, initial foot maneuver, and possible (but not always) initial counterstrike.

I divide these FILTERS into four types....

Knowledge Base or Skill Set
Preferences, Prejudices, and Preconceptions
Relative Body Positions
Target Availability

News

It looks like we will be filming our first training DVD based on my grafting book the first week of November 09. If all goes well we might be producing about three videos to cover the information in the book.

I will blog more about this as I can.

Til next time....

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Informational Blog

This entire blog concept is based on my fascination with Kenpo grafting. For the past decade I have made grafting part of my teaching and training curriculum. I love the exploration of all the material available in this art and I spend many hours a year on grafting.

I wrote the book, GRAFTING: Bridges within American Kenpo, published by Aardvark Global Publishing available at www.tskenpo.com . The book is 160+ pages and is coil bound so that the reader can use the book "on the mat". It explores many concepts, principles and theories as they apply to grafting. I also introduce my Grafting Matrix.

I have also written a Companion Workbook for the grafting manual and it is available as well. The Companion Workbook is 40 pages of time-saving speadsheets and more, to help you work through the material in the grafting book.

During the summer of this year, both the book and workbook have been translated into Spanish.

If you are interested in obtaining a copy of the book, you can also visit the Kenponet Mall at www.kenponet.com

Self promotion is for the birds! Now that we have that out of the way, back to the fun stuff.

Til next time...take care.

Friday, September 11, 2009

What TRIGGERS a Bridge?

The opinions expressed in this blog are only mine. Don't hold anyone responsible for my thought processes. :)

What I am trying to demonstrate in this blog entry are what I describe as "Triggers" as they relate to my Grafting Matrix. The Grafting Matrix is a visual tool to show what I believe happens or has influence on the necessary actions we take during a conflict that does not end with the initial physical strikes.

A fight that lasts longer than a sucker punch is dynamic and changes as both parties try to gain a dominant advantage. This may cause you to graft techniques in order to stop an attacker. The TRIGGERS I am referring to are basically three factors that can lead you to graft into different techniques.

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

The Five Bridges

In grafting I like to use the word "bridge" interchangeably with the word "graft". Personally, I think of a bridge as a tool, temporary or permanent to "cross over" from one sequence of motion to another sequence.

As part of my Grafting Matrix I have identified five different "Bridges". These bridges are, "Spontaneous", "Natural", "Associated", 'Unnatural", and "Forced". Each bridge covers a category of either, when or how. Each Bridge has a primary "Trigger". I will discuss triggers later. Every situation that covers grafting or bridging can fall into one of these categories.

Friday, September 4, 2009

A slightly Different Approach to Grafting

When I work the concept of "Grafting" I try to answer some specific questions. Such as; "Why would I need to?", "How would I do it?" and maybe "What would I graft to or from?" These questions would be at the top of my list.

I try to teach grafting in a way that is logical and not just sticking things together. I find little value in just doing techniques "one after the other" in the air and say to myself, "There you go. Good job grafting!"

Looking for ways and means to smoothly transition , if needed, from a technique to another or maybe the extension of a different technique, brings up the "Whys" of doing the action.

Over the past decade I have spent a lot of time and energy looking at the concept of "grafting" as I know it. I have identified five different "Bridges" that I use to define the "When and how" of the process we refer to as "grafting".

These five "Bridges" are part of the Grafting Matrix that I use as a visual aid to understand what happens during a physical exchange where grafting or bridging is necessary. This is a personal aid. Your mileage may vary.

Til next time.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Headed for Las Vegas

On October 15th I will be headed to Las Vegas for the 45th International Karate Competition. I will be among twenty instructors from around the world who will be teaching over a four day event.

I will be teaching material from my new book, GRAFTING: Bridges within American Kenpo.

The event will be held at Palace Station Hotel & Casino.

See you there!