The Full Step Slide in Kicks of Yellow

This week is all about kicking with the lead leg. Kicks should be done from various distances and at various speeds in order to develop ability and confidence in their versatility.

Today I’m demonstrating the full step slide in kicks of Kisae Kempo’s Yellow Belt. There are four and I perform them slowly then fast. First I slide in a full step from a Left Forward Bow, then from a Right Forward Bow.

The first three kicks are snapping kicks using the top of the foot to attack with. These kicks are strong and quick but there can be real danger in attacking with the top of the foot too. The last of the kicks is a classic thrusting side kick with the edge of the heel.

All the kicks today are done to the groin height.

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Basic Blocking from the Neutral Position 6

Today Jacket is demonstrating the Outside Palm Block done from the Old school ‘Defensive Fighting Position’.

Light, quick and easy, this block packs quite a wallop and the torso must be firm when the block is delivered.

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Basic Blocking from the Neutral Position 5

This basic drill is very similar to basic blocks. The emphasis is to always keep at least one hand up.

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Basic Blocking from the Neutral Position 4

Same idea as yesterday. Shirt attacks while Jacket is in Neutral. Shirt attempt’s a two hand grab, shove, tackle or something of that nature. Jacket is ready and stops the attempt with a short sharp two hand shove to Shirt’s shoulders.

This defense looks much easier than it actually is.

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Basic Blocking from the Neutral Position 3

Defences from Neutral should include more than just defenses against punches.

Today shirt is attempting to grab Jacket’s wrists. Jacket is ready and let’s just says that it doesn’t go well for Shirt.

(And thanks for controlling the counters;-)

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Basic Blocking from the Neutral Position 2

Merry Christmas!


Today both of us are working the Crossdownward Arm Block against a punch to the torso.

As one hand goes down, the other should go up.

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Basic Blocking from the Neutral Position 1

I am emphasizing practice out of Neutral deliberately as I feel this position gets left behind in training. I find practice in Neutral is an absolute must if I want to be skilled in my applications from this position.

Today Jacket is working the Outside palm block against a punch to the face.

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Basic Blocking from the Neutral Position 6

Same as yesterday, this is nowhere near full speed and power but it is unpredictable and interesting.

Notice that we do not make contact…

Contact his not made (especially to the head) in Kisae Kempo. Training to deal with contact takes a long time and must be done under the direct supervision of a skilled instructor. And make no mistake; THERE WILL STILL BE BOO BOO’S.

Therefore, On YouTube and this blog, I will only demonstrate and teach on how to defend without taking a strike.

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Basic Blocking from the Neutral Position 5

Once again, Shirt adopts a rash, brawling style of punches that are slow but unpredictable.

Jacket blocks and counters easily from the Neutral Position.

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Basic Blocking from the Neutral Position 4

This is a different angle but it is still the same drill.

Please Note: Jacket has been doing this drill for nearly thirty years. Shirt has been doing it longer.

I cannot over emphasize the importance of constant practice if I want to maintain my abilities (let alone improve them).

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Basic Blocking from the Neutral Position 3

Today we are practicing the Inside hooking Block and the Mantis Block. These defend the torso from just below the elbow to the eye.

Like any skill set, interested practice is an absolute must.

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Basic Blocking from Neutral Position 2

Same idea as yesterday except that shirt is wearing red mma gloves.

Notice that no ground is given up nor are there any signs of timidity.

A constant awareness allows Jacket to defend effectively against the punches (he never lowers his guard).

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Basic Blocking from the Neutral Position 1

Today Shirt is attacking Jacket with a variety of punches.

Jacket remains in standing neutral (his feet are shoulder width apart and his knees are bent).

Jacket has both arms up and poised (firm but relaxed).

Only by informed practice can we maximize our skills.

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Using the Neutral stance 6

Jacket continues to use the old school defensive fighting position of one hand high and the other at center, even though he is at Neutral.

His blocks are strong and fast. The counters are powerful and flow well.

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Using the Neutral Stance 5

More of the same as yesterday.

Notice how jacket torques his hips into the counters.

Once again, hands up, blocks work; even when done in Neutral…

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Using the Neutral stance 4

Today is more about the placing of the hands than about Neutral. None the less, the stance I train in is the stance I will use when under pressure.

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Using the Neutral stance 3

Today, Jacket goes back to a Forward Bow and Defensive Fighting Position (arms up and center, poised and taut).

Notice how Jacket covers himself and counters effectively. The last counter would have caught Shirt moving forward. Obviously the Bow with Defensive fighting Position works.

Shirt thanks Jacket for controlling the strike;-)

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Using the Neutral stance 2

More of what we were doing yesterday.

Notice how Jacket’s first block and follow-up counterpunch to Shirt’s body goes in clean.

The drill proceeds…

But when either participant lowers their arms, the defenses are late or ineffective.

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Using the Neutral stance 1

The Neutral stance is basic standing facing the opponent with feet parallel and shoulder width apart. Usually this is a transitory position that one passes through while doing something else.

Lip service is sometimes given to using the Neutral stance as an initial fighting position but rarely does it go beyond that.

Today, Jacket (Kurt) and Shirt (myself) will be practicing using the Neutral stance as an initial fighting position.

Today, Jacket uses a left palm block to guard his head from several different punches and strikes thrown by Shirt.

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Basic Blocking Drill 6

Today’s vid is similar to yesterdays but more counters are added.

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Basic Blocking Drill 6

Today’s vid is similar to yesterdays but more counters are added.

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Basic Blocking Drill 5

This is the beginning stages of a prearranged drill. The defense has been modified from the original which was based on an American Kenpo Self-Defence technique.

Notice the initial slap block across Shirt’s body (followed by a step and check before countering). The slap block is deceptively powerful but it must be followed up with other measures or it will be countered.

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Basic Blocking Drill 4

Both parties use both arms (but no legs). The attacks are light smooth and controlled. The vid clearly shows Jacket ‘catching’ the initial attacks before countering in a solid fashion.

This is a case of assuming control after the initial attack (instead os before or as the attack happens).

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Basic Blocking Drill 3

Similar to yesterday but taken so both participants can be seen clearly from the waist up.

Again, Jacket has the better of it with a crisp tight blocking style. Evasions and low arms leave Shirt open and vulnerable.

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Basic Blocking Drill 2

Notice that Jacket has his arms up and body poised. His blocks are crisp, powerful and keep him safe. He is able to strike and counterstrike almost at will.

Notice that Shirt has his hands down and his body slack. As a result, he has to evade or throw arms in the way of incoming attacks. His defense leaves him open and vulnerable.

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Basic Blocking Drill 1

My thanks go out again to Kurt for his efforts here.


Black Jacket (Kurt) is practicing blocking against Shirt (me). First we do four different basic blocks. The strikes are done to hit but only at about half speed (or even less). Once the four basic blocks have the defender warmed up, the attacks are done without warning and any of the four blocks may be called upon.


This drill is designed to teach a defender to switch cleanly and effectively between several different blocks. There are many different principles involved here but the primary ones are 'zone defense', 'half distance' and 'passive draws'.


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High, Low Center Backhand Knifehand Thrusts from the Opposite Hip

Like yesterday, I’m using a backhand knifehand high, then low and finally to the center. Today, I originate the strike from the opposite hip.

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