Summer Kung Fu Self-Defense Intensive: 23 and 24 August 2008
Montreal, Canada
Days 21 and 22
For these training days I have asked students to summarize the techniques and comment about what they learned.
On Day 22, we continued to look at self-defense techniques using the Circle Punch in much the same manner as we have done in the past. However, on this day I taught how to angle the attack by shifting the angle of the shoulders and what that means in terms of target selection and acquisition.
Day 23’s summary was written by Chimera II, and is as follows:
Training Summary:
Today we focused our training efforts on practicing the front kick and incorporating it into a series of defense movements. We started the class with a series of repeating leg raises, followed by front kicks, carried out while advancing forward. We then worked on leaning sideways with our knees raised, a positioning movement necessary for aiming and launching effective side kicks.
Having practiced the above, we spent a good deal of time training with a partner on aiming and proper execution of the front kick along with dodging and avoiding its impact. The feasibility of blocking a sidekick with the arms was contemplated but, upon demonstration, deemed futile. The key to this exercise was rapidly adjusting to where your opponent repositioned themselves and being prepared to launch another kick right after. This helps to acknowledge the realities of an actual confrontation and helps prepare for them.
It is only when the techniques we learn are applied in practice that we are able to explore their capacities and adjust them to our own.
Chimera II
The status of the Summary Class is in question so I will assume that Days 21 and 22 were our last classes. Overall, I feel that the students have come a long way from the first days of this session. Even those students who trained with me for the 2007/2008 Self-Defense Survey Course have improved their foundation and are, for the most part, ready to focus on Flying Fist - dissection and application, and other forms/skill sets. I am pleased with your dedication and progress; also, I am confident that you have taken physical and intellectual possession of the moves you learned and should you so desire, you can grow with what you already know. I am honoured that you shared this summer with me and it was a pleasure to teach you. I had a good time and I hope you all did as well.
I am looking into when/where and if we will have continuing classes for 2008/2009 and what structure those classes will take. Please let anyone who is interested in training that a new session is in the works so they should indicate their interest as soon as possible.
Finally, I am looking at having a one hour session for Pre-Beginner/Introductory Classes
This class is held once a week, on Sundays, and lasts for 1 hours. Thus far I have only one person who is interested. I do not plan for the class to be physical and any of my previous students who would like to focus on a particular training point are welcome to attend.
Here is the link: Pre-Beginner/Introductory Classes.
Thank you for a successful session and I look forward to training with you all in the future.
Congratulations and Best Regards,
Troy Marquis, BA, Sifu
Tai-Mar Kung Fu Self-Defense - Autodefense
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Saturday Summary Class - 30 Aug 2008
Dear Students,
Only two students have indicated an interest in having a Saturday Summary Class thus far.
Therefore, I will not be holding the class - unless there is a desire by the majority of the
class to have the summary lesson.
To be fair, if I receive confirmation emails from other students that bring the total
interested to at least two thirds of the class I will hold the session.
Those interested should communicate their interest to me by email - directly - before
5 p.m. today (I need to plan my weekend).
Thanks for your understanding.
Sifu Troy Marquis, BA, Sifu
Tai-Mar Kung Fu Self-Defense - Autodefesne
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Self Defense - Autodefense Montreal Training Location: 24 August 2008
Title: Self Defense - Autodefense Montreal Training Location: 24 August 2008
Location: Angrignon Park, Montreal
Description: Self-defense training will be held at our usual location. Please do not be late.
Start Time: 09:00
Date: 2008-08-24
End Time: 10:30
Self Defense - Autodefense Montreal Training Location: 23 August 2008
Title: Self Defense - Autodefense Montreal Training Location: 23 August 2008
Location: McGill Shatner Bldg, Montreal
Description: Self-defense training will be held on the 4th floor. Please do not be late.
Start Time: 09:00
Date: 2008-08-23
End Time: 10:30
Summer Kung Fu Self-Defense Intensive: 16 and 17 August 2008
Montreal, Canada
Days 19 and 20
Summary
On these two days, we looked at variations of double fist attacks and consequentially, potential defenses. Once the initial double attack has been initiated a follow up attack was then adducted.
On Day 19, in addition to stance/punch combination conditioning, we looked at the double straight punch, a draw back into a quasi-Cat Stance followed up by a double Rolling Fist attack. On Day 20, we continued to look at the double Straight Punch attack - from a normal, non-confrontational position - a draw back into a quasi-Cat Stance with a single fist cocked and hidden behind the head followed up by a single, angled Dropping Fist effected on the angle at the base of the neck and the collar bone.
The double Straight Punch to a Rolling Fist combination has some weaknesses in it that were discovered during the Free Focused Sparring practice and students examined ways to minimize the inherent weakness in this attack and how to exploit the weakness in the attack. This kind of attack is vulnerable to a strong counter when one draws back, essentially leaving the ribs exposed before the Rolling Fist has time to drop. Even so, proper execution of the technique will prevent your opponent from striking your ribs. Bearing in mind that the training form of this combination is not a mandatory combination, i.e. there is no requirement to do both the double Straight Punch and the Rolling Fist. If the Straight Punch works and is sufficient then fine. If the Straight Punch works and the Rolling Fist is not the best alternative follow up - use something else. Also, a double Straight Punch to one opponent can be turned over to effect a double Rolling Fist for an opponent approaching from an other angle. The variation are many and hence, it is important to work out these dynamics in the practical section of the class.
Day 20’s attack was the double Straight Punch but this time there was an angled, single Dropping Fist to a different target. I felt that this was very beneficial and much discussion about angles, target selection and direction of a strike’s force was entertained. One very valuable variation to the Dropping Fist was a Dropping Open Palm strike which, as the students quickly felt, delivers a systemic shock that will very likely surprise an opponent into hesitation or stun him/her. As always, I encourage you to use your martial imagination when considering using these attack from different stances, on different targets, and on different/multiple opponents.
If you can conceive of an attack, you might be able to defend against it. If you cannot imagine it, you will not be able to conceive of ways to defend against it. In all cases, the time to test out your theories is NOT when you need them most.
As always, I invite your questions and comments.
Note: This weekend coming (the 4th weekend in August) marks the last two classes of the 2008 Summer Kung Fu Self-Defense Intensive. However, if there is sufficient demand, I will offer a final summary class on the 30th, at Parc Angrignon. Please let me know if you would like me to have this summary class - otherwise, we will end this weekend.
Troy Marquis, BA, Sifu
Tai-Mar Kung Fu Self-Defense - Autodefense
Montreal, Canada