Progressive Combat Kenpo Blocks and Parries

The kenpo basics link takes you to video clip demonstrations of techniques on my myspace

Name

Description

Concepts

High Block(upward block)

Push upward (like an uppercut punch) and rotate hand so palm is away from face raising arm above head, keeping elbow at 45 degrees.

Used against overhead strikes

Inward Block

Arm moves from outside to inside deflecting strike. Palm toward face, ending with thumb aligned with inside of shoulder.

Used to deflect punches and strikes

Outward Block

Arm moves from inside body to outside stopping at shoulder, palm toward face, ending with thumb aligned with outside of shoulder.

Used to deflect punches

Extended Outward Block

Similar to outward block but arm rotates out ending with palm facing away from you.

Used to deflect with option to grab opponents arm

Low Block (downward)

Arm downward to almost full extension, swinging out just past leg, keeping elbow slightly bent.

Deflecting low strikes and kicks

Inward Parry

Hand open with palm in, fingers together similar to inward block but more redirection of opponents energy than striking.

Deflecting

Outward Parry/ Hooking Parry

Hand open, palm in (palm out for hooking parry) Similar to outward and extended outward.

Deflecting

Double Parries Inward/outward outward/inward Outward/outward

Executed in sequence as parries above.  Known as Windmill parries or blocks when more than double.

Used in deflecting and trapping to open opponent up