 | | "I come to you with only Karate, empty hands, I have no weapons, but should I be forced to defend myself, my principles or my honor; should it be a matter of life or death, of right or wrong; then here are my weapons Karate, my empty hands." - Ed Parker |
| |
Kenpo Sets
Kenpo Sets, like Forms
(Katas), are offensive and defensive movements. These "sets" of
movements are sometimes done from a stationary position, such as a horse
stance, or can be incorporated into dance-like routines similar to
Forms.
Click on a set
below
|
Blocking Set |
Kicking Set | Striking Set |
Finger Set |
Coordination Set | Stance Set |
Staff Set | TwoMan
Set |
The difference between a set and a form is that a set is designed to
isolate movements that require special attention, whereas a form
incorporates a greater range movements, teaching the student how to
incorporate these movements together.
Sets teach you how to articulate your basics, how to be crisp and exact
in their execution. By standing in a horse stance while executing
finger, striking and blocking sets, the student has an opportunity to
focus entirely on what his hands are doing, without splitting his focus
between his hands and feet. The same is true when a student practices
the stance sets, where the hands are resting on the hips as he goes
through a series foot maneuvers.
In our system of Kenpo sets are appendices to the study of motion and
are most often used to refine specific skills, or weak areas, that need
special attention. As a students sets improve so do his forms,
techniques and the rest of his Kenpo.
Kenpo contains sets for blocking, striking, kicking, foot maneuvers and
specialized moves. Some sets develop coordination, while others help you
develop proper basics or transitioning. In any case sets are tools to
improve your overall ability to execute movements properly.
Sets should be used as a tool and not merely memorized. Memorizing a
set, technique, or form, without diligently working to improve it is
like memorizing the course of a marathon without ever running it.
You will know the course and you can even discuss the merits of the
course with other runners, but that alone doesn't make you a better
runner.
If you do choose to take advantage of the Kenpo sets, be sure you aren't
just going through the motions. Learn them well, study them well and
practice them well. You will only get out of a set, what you put in it. |
