Here are some principles that can help you get the most out of any art, not just Kempo Karate.
Establish your base
Any combative artist needs to be rooted in the ground. It is only from rooting to the ground that your blocks, punches and kicks will have any real power to them. It may help to think of pushing a car or chopping wood to understand what I mean. If it’s not planted correctly, it won’t have any effect.
Distance
This is the distance the attacking limb moves before impact. This will be very with each individual. Bruce Lee, for example, generated some pretty impressive power with his now-famous 1-inch punch. You can have the most powerful punch or kick in the world, BUT throwing it too close OR too far will have little effect. The work with the bag helps to master this.
Your block must be a cocked position
It’s about making a better economy of movement. The block you use should be either the cocked position or the prelude to the punch. You must also have enough “Distance” to generate the power you need. An inside block followed by a back punch or cross punch is an example of this.
Moment
You know the old saying “Timing is everything” Blocking or landing attacks rely heavily on this principle. You don’t have to have a lot of speed if you master your timing, BUT speed DOES help. This can be acquired through practice.
Keep your hands above the opponent’s
You will be able to react more quickly to your opponents’ attacks if your hands are above theirs. Kind of giving you a head start to start talking. It also gives you high ground, which is always an advantage in combat.
Blocking
When you are blocking on the inside of the opponents arm, do it between the wrist and the elbow. On the outside, block above the elbow. This will remove his ability to use the same arm to continue his attack against you.
Error range
Good martial arts techniques should include insurance policies in case there is an “accident”. Whether it’s your fault or not. Start with the “Ideal Phase” first, and then look at the “What If” phase to find your answers. These changed positions will allow you to compensate for the opponent’s intentional and/or unintentional reactions.
command presence
This mainly applies to advanced practitioners. Simply put, the team with the ball is more likely to score the touchdown. The one asking the questions is in control of the conversation, and “Offense is the BEST defense.” You can control a fight by being offensive OR by inviting an attack.
This is just a VERY brief explanation, but it will suffice for now. You also have to accomplish this on the MENTAL side as well as the physical. Just watch a Bruce Lee fight scene and watch the “Trance Like” state he achieves in combat, it almost scares him out of the room.
Dr. Jim Brassard