		Ask the Master

If you have a question for Master Tatum, email him at LTatum1@mindspring.com

A Student asks: Hello Master Tatum,

My Name is Ximena, an Hector Jofre's student from Chile, before I make the question I wish to relate what happened to me.

A couple of days ago when I was in route to mats, a man did appear standing at side of my
car surprising me with a knife in my throat, he did scary me for a while, before he forced me to go out of my car.

I didn't put resistance and I decided to give the car, because I didn't feel the circumstance was able to do any move, but at time I stand out, the guy in front me did change his mind and he attack with a thrust knife to my stomach, then I throw a kick to his groin defending myself and a couple of moves more the result was the guy in the floor his nose and right wrist broken, and I with my knee in his back waiting the police.

When I remember the episode, I remember to feel so may fear, but never rage or hate. After all I'm fine but I have been questioning myself, and feeling a negative sensation about the physical damage to another person in spite of the circumstances, this triggered a first a question to me and my training physical and mental…. maybe something lack on my training? Also I think I was wasting time in silence and leave the guy take the initiative.

I mean I'm a Black Belt, I have years of training, I'm doing something wrong? Why so many doubts in my mind? ....Where is the Confidence?

Thanks in advance

Xime

Master Tatum Answers: Dear Ximena,

After reading your letter and couldn't help but think that when it is time to do the right thing we non the less suffer the compassion we have for our fellow man.

The fear that you felt when he put the knife to your throat gave you the common sense to give up
the car. That was the best thing you could have done.

That decision placed you in a position of control at least on a small level. Once you were in the position of control you were able to rethink your position in regards to your attacker. When he was moving away from his interest in you and going for your car he gave up the stage of control. When he changed his mind and came back at you, you were already positioned (prepared) for another assault.

The fact that you felt no fear at this time was the first sigh of knowing that you had to protect yourself and the life of your assailant. When you reach a point of no fear but respect for yourself then your Art and reactions are free to respond to what is needed and appropriate for the situation.

When he trust the knife at you, you were in a state of Ki. If you read one of my answerers to a person who experienced this moment of Ki you'll find more about this phenomenon.

You were what we call in Kenpo your moment of Glory. This is the moment when all things being taken in consideration come to together into one action of decision. You neither respond by hate
or fear but rather by compassion. Now your compassion brought him to a place of conclusion where he was no longer a danger to you or himself. The fact that you stayed with him till the police came shows that you are a good person doing the right thing.

In your moment of Glory your were vindicated in your actions.

It is better that he received a broken wrist and a broken noses than for either of you to die over a car.

I am very proud of you and your ability to use the Art when needed and I'm am even more proud
of your compassion for someone meaning to do you harm.

You made the best outcome of a potentially tragic situation.

A Full Salute to you Ximena,

Larry Tatum

Asked by a student: "I have mostly fighters in the school,

What is the need of Katas if that is the only thing someone is good at."

Master Tatum Answers: "Dear friend,

In terms of the Dojo each student, teacher and masters a like have more than one place for themselves at the school.

I have a Brown Belt girl who spends most of her time mastering Forms. All the ranks stop what they are doing when she works out. Her early mastery of the Forms has labeled her as a source of knowledge in terms of what a Form can look like. Beyond her beauty of performing the Katas she is a dictionary of motion...a carrier of visual reference for other's in the school to see.

Many students use her as a bench mark to strive to be better at developing form. They may not have her innate ability to embody a Form as she does but her presence in the school facilitates the beauty of the Art.

I have three schools in my school....The tough fighters, these are the ones who people look up to in terms of physical strength. They embodied the fearlessness of the Art. For some students it is just enough to be around them much like a older bother protector. In short it feels good to have a tough friend who is also benevolent. Then we have the middle of the road students and teachers who make their contributions to the school as being well rounded in Sparing, Self Defense and Kata's. Although they can go to either extreme they are comfortable in the station within the school. This is the category most students fall into.

Then there are the ones who by nature of their being have to work harder than most to attain excellence within themselves. In their efforts teachers are made better by their presence in the school...prompting the teacher and other students alike to help them in the journey. Thus the teacher and other students become better teachers and friends.

Beyond their Kenpo station they all have special attributes that everyone in the school can benefit by. Their position out side the school sometimes gets lost in the learning position they have put themselves in.

What impresses me is when a person is willing to be a student no matter what age or position in life."

Nicholas Claunch Asks: "Hello Mr. Tatum,

I am a student of Bill Piper's in Texas. I recently received my purple belt (about half way through the blue material).

I have a few question for you, as Mr. Piper says you are probably the best source to tap on this subject. I have consulted him on it as well, and it seems what I have experienced is commonly referred to as Chi.

We were working out last night, doing a drill (a very fast paced 8 beat sequence), and I experienced an odd sensation. It was almost exactly the same feeling I get during a runner's high. The only difference, was it was MUCH more intense, and faded faster than a runner's high does.

It must have been an endorphin dump, but I felt very much like water was flowing out of my body as I was moving. I wasn't concentrating on the movements, rather, I was watching myself move. There was very little to no thought involved in it, it was just happening.

I did feel however, that there was an enormous energy build up in my body. I couldn't seem to get rid of it all within the 8 beat sequence, so after the sequence was completed, I had to 'walk it off', or jump around, as silly as that sounds. My hands were shaking, but I was 100% mentally acute.

The questions I have for you:

1) Is this Chi flow?

2) After experiencing this, I feel that everything I have done up to this point is vague, and murky. This energy I felt, I believe, is where Kenpo lives, and I want to visit there more often. What can I do to experience this on a more regular basis?

3) I have never experienced this feeling, while running, before the 3 mile marker. How is it possible that Kenpo can tap this energy within such a small time frame?

4) When was it (if what I am describing is Chi of course), in your journey did you first experience this?

Thank you very much for your time and efforts.

Cheers.
Nicholas Claunch - Adv. Purple
Texas Storm Kenpo"

Master Tatum answers: "

Some of the contributing factors to create the moment of KI, PART 1, physically you need proper body alignment. This includes the alignment of eyes, to opponent, the ears as they play a part in focus, the ears are rarely trained to be a part of focus but they play concert with your eyes. Sense of smell can direct your attention to other things that travel to you a long the path of air. Pheromones are scents that the body gives out in moment of stress and or happiness. They send information to your brain where your sub conscience disseminates some of your attackers intentions. If you think this is outlandish then think of a grappler with his head berried into the fighter who is on top of him. When standing are you part of the ground or are you just standing on it? Where is your right elbow, your left heel, the top of your head, are you feeling the wholeness of yourself? Although the eyes are the first receptors of action that doesn't mean the other senses close down and are just hanging around. Are you aware of your heart beat? Are you feeling your breath come and leave your lungs? If not how can you be in your ki? All of this was going on when you slipped into that state.

Now without understanding this phenomenon your ability to get into your Ki and stay their is much more difficult. For most when confronted with danger they retreat into themselves. The heart rate goes up, blood pressure goes down, which cause hearing to be impaired, blood leaves the brain which causes the feeling of tunnel vision and being in a dream like state. Body awareness drops off, you have know idea where your feet are much less anything else. You are not in your sub conscience and barely in your conscience mind.

Now to keep yourself from entering this other Negative state of mind you need to understand the pressure of what is happening to you from an outside source.

Just aligning your stance and natural weapons properly does not complete the proper body alignment. The outer body is mapped on the outside of the brain much like a world map is laid out over a globe. The brain knows where everything is you need to defend yourself, it's waiting for you to get out of the way. So now when your sub conscience is searching quickly for answers it has to find them before you fold. This is why again we need to understand what is going on. If we do understand what are contributing factors and how they work, then they are feed to the Sub Conscience their they can be regulated. Once the appropriate response is found you react without fear. But like proper body alignment your thoughts have to be aligned in proportion to your physical body. You can't ask your body from the mind to do something that it cannot or is out of nature do. The mind is a lot more logical than that. Kenpo plays into that concept by giving you sound logic of technique. Sound logic of understanding the nature of things about you and giving you a sense of the right to and (willingness) to protect yourself. Willingness is backed by everything aforementioned. Nothing is learned until you have acceptance. The acceptance to what the realities are. Only then can you remove doubt which blocks Ki and replace it with the willingness to protect yourself. That night during your work out your were willing to trust your sub conscience (your new found instincts) and step aside to let your body do the bidding.

Your attacker is also made up of all the senses that now have brought him into focus. These are the same ones you need to make you work at your maximum. (Something to think about).

In short, what positive information you have seeded into your sub conscience is what will come out if what you have seeded is logical, (and logic is based on realities). Because the Sub Conscience is a lot more logical than many understand. Positive and Negative Logic are close friends in Kenpo.

Did you know that your moral temperance also is part of your decision making in weather you react or not or weather you come into your KI. The willingness to take the responsibility to defend yourself is in proportion to what you believe is right. Allowing yourself the freedom to fight back is a big part of your Kenpo training. If you explore the logic of self preservation you will find there lies your right to defend yourself at which point it becomes a contributing factor in bringing you into your KI. The willingness to trust your sub conscience and let go.

JJ Asks,

Hello Mr. Tatum, Mr. Tatum you are the person to ask. Long form 8 is it done with double daggers and if it is did Mr. Parker complete it or was it left on finish.

Thank you for your time,
JJ

Master Tatum answers: Dear JJ,

The Knife Form was designed by Mr. Parkers back in the middle Sixties.

It was a Form (Encyclopedia) of every angle that the Knife could function on in every conceivable position of the Knife. The Form was put away around 1970 after he had taught it to a select few. He told me he had taught it to only three people. Because of his desire to keep it out of the hands of those who would misuse it or those who would learn lessons just enough to get themselves hurt he folded and put in his desk for a number years.

It was in 1984 that I asked him about the Form. He told me he would be happy to teach it to me and the related concepts and the principles that he found by developing the Form.
He told me that he would have to find it as he had stashed it away and it would take some time to dig it up.

When he found it he showed it to me first in written form. We had to blow the dust off the folder it was in. :) true story.

After a few weeks we completed going over the Form and I went on to refine it so that I could offer it up to the Kenpo World as another part of the Kenpo curriculum, this was with his blessing. The first person I taught it to was a man named Ernie George. He latter that year preformed it at the Long Beach Internationals. People came up asking what form was this and where could they learn it.

Little by little I taught others and it began to spread around the tournament circuit. I latter put it on DVD around 2001.

It is by my opinion the most difficult Weapons From to learn and to develop.

Also if you look at Finger Set Number 2 you will see that it can be used as a precursor to Form 8.

Hope this helps,
Larry Tatum

A student asked,

What is the best way to spar giving I have so many techniques to chose from?

Master Tatum answers: Dear Student,

Ok first we need to find out what is your best weapon in Sparing. Now if you know what it is how often can you make it work for you?

One thing to remember is that Sparing in a school environment is a game of tag...a tough game but none the less it's who hits first. Most good fighters in a tournament don't waist too much time blocking everything but rather they strike out at the right moment before the attacker has turned into critical reach into his punch or kick. It's all about timing not blocking. You don't block then hit. What I want you to do is slowly with someone you trust face them left to left.

Have the attacker start to punch at you with his right hand. Now watch his upper body turn from a 45 to a 90 degree. As you see the turn release your rear hand (ahead of his turn) into his ribs or face (any of the two upper height zones). Make sure you hit him just before he turns and gains enough reach to hit you. Now this takes a little guts to just hit without blocking or moving back from his turn, but if you can get your rear hand into his chest first or face then your strike becomes the check as it hits and cancels his punch (checks his depth). Let his intentional motion trigger your response. Don't look at the Arms and legs of your attacker but watch his full body turn and be ahead of it (meet the turn with your punch). Hold your ground and let the punch go. Even if he looks like he is going to turn to hit, let your strike go. This will become a condition response latter on. Now of course keep your guard up in a shielding manner ( Helio Check) and be aware of his first line of offence or defense...his front leg and front arm. He can fake with the front hand or leg but be just out of reach in a (neutral zone) so you can react to his turn without the danger of his first line of defense.

When you can do this with your reverse punch then start working the same tactic with your front hand front and rear leg (make one counter strike work first for you before moving on.) It has to be developed.

Kenpo having so many techniques too chose from can studder your reactions because you see so much. Here in lies the problem for those who haven't learned to reduce their knowledge or scale down to fit the environment. Your ability to expand in the street is backed up by all your Self Defense Techniques in the back of your subconscious and will come out when you feel the pain of battle. Tournament is generally fought on a conscience level at lest in the beginning. As the fight insures your sub conscience will begin to fill in the gabs. But it has to be trained to quickly scale down its reactions for you to be extemporaneous in your reactions.

Larry Tatum

Jamie Asks, Master Tatum,

I noticed on your third brown, vol. 2 disk for self defense techniques that Entwined Lance is taught as a defense to a right knife thrust to the throat while your opponent is facing you. My instructor teaches the technique as a left flank knife thrust, similar to the flank punch in Destructive Fans. As such, when he teaches the technique, he rotates into a rotating twist stance, then steps through to deliver the palm strike to the jaw. I noticed that you step up the circle into a front twist stance in the video. What is the purpose for the step? My instructor says that it is superfluous since the same result is accomplished by rotating into the twist and thereby eliminated the step. What is your take on this?

Also, I have noticed that on the four knife techniques that I have learned so far in Kenpo (third brown), only two techniques focus on taking the knife away from the attacker (Thrusting Lance and Raining Lance). In Hapkido, I was always taught to get a hold of a knife and dislodge it from an attacker before attempting anything else. Why does this not seem to be the case in Kenpo? If you beat the attacker up, but leave him with the knife, what stops him from coming back at you with the knife? Granted, in both Glancing Lance and Entwined Lance, most attackers would drop the knife given flurry of strikes that they get hit with, but what margin for error is built into the techniques? I would love to hear your thoughts on these matters.

Jamie Hendrickson

Master Tatum answers: Dear Jamie,

Both methods of teaching Entwined Lance have merit, from the Flank and from face on. From the Flank it gets you off line and into a transitory maneuver without loss of time. From the Front it does the same but also gives you (sudden) greater depth into your opponents center line. This allows you to get further past the blade, now on the DVD it does not illustrate how your left Forearm is used to counter manipulate the blade back into your opponent. But if you look on my web site ltatum.com under Tip of the Week you will find an illustration of this. Their is a Back Lash that has to be considered if your strike to the jaw hinge didn't have the desired effect. If your attacker pulls the knife (Back Lash) back on the same line he went out on you then fellow it back with your left forearm as your right hand anchors into the inside of his right elbow. Your forearm will lock the top of his forearm as your finger thrust into his eye. Again look for on Tip of the Week.

Any one of the Knife techniques can be constructed into taking the Blade away from your attacker. They are not always illustrated as such for the simple reason to evoke logical thought like the questions you are asking now. When Mr. Parker wrote down the material he purposely left out some reasons for application so the student would ask pertinent questions of what will work, particularly when dealing with a knife. within the lessons of how you are lessons of how you can't. This tells the student not to take any of these techniques at face value, it may save your life. On the flip side if you are taught how to take a blade away from an attacker in a studio environment, the same technique may get you killed in the street do to the dynamics of a street altercation. Two, train the student to find logic in the system and where it should apply and where it was not obvious to then fill the gab. His idea was to make thinkers and this was one of many methods of teaching this concept of learning. When more than one student and teachers and masters a like come together to express options about a technique, then an interaction occurs and each one will come away with a different slant on the what or what does not work in a fight.

In effect the student is now being challenged to extrapolate information as learned from previous belt levels. (Here the Tailoring begins). Some students and teachers will intentionally remove a technique or not learn it at all because they instantly see or feel their is a flaw in it. Because we are teaching fighting and the student is the one who may be faced with a decision in the street applying what he is learning then conjecture is a must in teaching this curriculum. The syllabus is not their to give every answer of winning but also some answers to what can partake in your demise. So in Short Jamie the Syllabus as laid out by Mr. Parker is purposely laid out to contradict itself. It is through contradiction you come up with things that work for you. Now this type of conceptual learning does not come about in the lessons early on in the lower Belt levels but as you go up in Rank you will see this appear. This is not to say you can't rearrange anything. But this is not the lesson I'm giving in this answer.

The Art as it is laid out Jamie is a Paradigm to life. No one answer to anything and while may things are logical from one perspective others are not in prospective to the same logic. Kenpo is an entity of its own with right and wrong answers for all situations. Life does not wake you up in the morning and say everything is right. The Art like life is perfectly right and wrong. Yours to question.

One other thing Jamie. The Art only comes alive when you interact with it.

Larry Tatum

Tim Asks Mater Tatum:"I am a 3rd degree black belt in Kenpo. I don't mean to bother any staff about my problem. I really have no one else to ask for help. . I love teaching Kenpo. I opened my school 25 miles from my instructor. My plan was to be small and teach people that lived in the small community I grew up in. Very small community like in the hundreds. I saw people from my community try my instructors class but couldn't afford the dues so they was turned away. I wanted to stay small so I could keep my dues low and teach people that cant afford it. I would do it for free if I didn't pay rent on my dojo.

I asked my instructor before starting my school and he said he thought it was a great idea. His only request was to be a big part of any black belt testing. I agreed. I have some of the most dedicated students ever. My instructor witnessed my students performing better than expected. I let him material test my high ranking students so he could see that I was doing everything correct. He said the material was excellent.

I scheduled a brown belt test. I invited my instructor. He said that he would attend. I had the whole day planned and laid out to my students. I would do the test like my instructor did when I was tested years ago.

4 weeks before the test my instructor asked if it would be alright if one of his students ,that was ready for brown belt, were to test the same day at my studio. I said I would be honored. then he said he had 2 more. I said ok.

I believe in rank. I told everyone that rank would be where you was placed on the test. They all loved the fact that they would be brown belts first since they were there first and worked hard for their rank.

My star student 18yr old girl, she is more dedicated than anyone I know, was sitting while I discussed the test day with my instructor. He said out loud rank had no affect on when you will test. My student said then how. He said names will be taken from a hat. I train all my students to respect others rank and expect respect for theirs. She said she worked too hard for her rank to just be drawn from a hat.

He blew up on me after everyone left. I told him that I laid the test out long before his students were to be included. So I said then lets just split the tests so there's no confusion.

He has never let it down. He did not show up for my brown belt test. He didn't invite me to his test. He has told all his students bad things about me. Allot of lies. very disrespectful.

My students ask me things that are said about me ,from his students, and I know they have to come from him.
He says that he has taken my rank from me now. What does this mean? I don't understand how or what that means. I haven't strayed from teaching. In fact, I make my students work harder than ever. They do more and do it better than any student I have ever seen of his. I don't need their money so I push them very hard. I am producing some of the best artists in Kenpo that I have ever seen. The katas are to be perfect and nothing less.

I don't really know what I want to hear. I have no around me to ask. He has a web of teachers for 150 mile radius. I know I cant ask them. I had my first karate tournament ever and they refused to come because of my instructor. I lost $1500 . I keep my mouth shut."

Mater Tatum Responds: "Dear Tim,

Not knowing either one of you and assuming that all things in your letter are true, this is my answer to you.

This is a classic case of a Feudalistic ideology in a contemporary society. Both you and your instructor can learn something form this.

The problem doesn't stem from the pulling from the Hat, that was the crossroads of separation for both you. No matter how much you think you have an honest relationship with your instructor each one of you have an agenda. Yours being one of ; I'm on my own and should be respected for my own efforts and rules that you set forth in your school. His for wanting to keep an instructor student relationship, and it is a relationship that was developed of time spent teaching you the Art. Teachers often get caught up in thinking that, "I gave so much and now what do I get back?". & So it becomes one sided from the teachers point of view. It seems to me that he still thinks your in his house and when you live in your fathers house you go by his rules. But you know you've built your own house. As an instructor your teacher could have taken this chance to show his maturity and wisdom to comply with your testing rules. (taking the high road). Trusting your judgment form the things he taught you. This is no more than the type of respect a Father and or Mother would give to their child. This is not a 16th century Feudal world we live in today in terms of unbending respect. (Nor is this the Military) We may work with -in a Martial Art world but we are Americans (we question, and we disagree). Too often teachers tend to think that they by some divine nature (through the marital arts) are not subject to everyday respect inside or outside the studio. This is not to say that we should throw out the Formalities and rituals of the Martial Arts that lend ethical behavior to are training. But that is just that, they are in place to lend not rule. Your student had every right to question a change in her test particularly if she was led to believe the test was to be run a certain way. Now weather she questioned the change tactfully I don't know I wasn't there.

What you experienced is very typical in the Martial Art world, and I would say to you learn from it and don't do what was done to you latter on when your own students decided to move on. (and they will) it is the nature of things.

Your instructor was embarrassed by the student pointing out a problem in the test. This is understandable but he was a guest in your school. But as we all know we have to sometimes bend to the feelings of our teachers, parents and friends from time to time to keep peace. Now if he can't drop it then your answer is clear in front of you. You earned the Rank. Can it be taken away? No because you are on your own. Anyway the knowledge remains no matter what else happens.

Everyone must cut their own trail, now it's your time to do so.

With the best wishes,
Larry Tatum"

Martin Seck Asks: "Master Tatum,
In Snapping Twig do you load the weapon (hammer fist) moving up the circle? I am having trouble with the circles and "ping pong" motion like you do it. I also notice you advance in forward bows during the last movements of the technique. Are you also stomping on your front foot for additional power during this?

Thank you!
Martin Seck

Master Tatum Response:"Hi Martin,

OK when you learn the technique at the station of Orange Belt you have the student load the weapon up (elongate the circle) this is to teach full range of the hammering action on an elongated circle, this also gives the Orange Belt student distance of travel which gives him full range of power on a circle.
Now when you Ping Pong the action of the Hammer Fist you don't allow yourself to follow the circle but rather spring back on the same line you pull back on to clear the arm of your opponent. Also allow your stance change from forward to neutral to maximize the spring action of your arm.
When you scuffle in on the last strike (the Elbow) you can pivot into a Forward Bow as you shuffle to allow the left hand to reach the right side of your opponents jaw before the Elbow collapses in on his left side, in this case your left hand acts as a cutting board for the action of the elbow.
Play with the timing and see how this factors in on the timing of other techniques

Larry Tatum "

Jason StClair asks: "Grandmaster Tatum:
I am having trouble defending against a heel hook kick. Are there any techniques in the Kenpo system that may be used? I am pretty proficient in techniques through purple belt and about half of the green belt list, and I have not seen anything that really applies. Maybe I have missed it or I am thinking about it wrong. Any help would be greatly appreciated. "

Master Tatum Response:" Dear Jason

All Kicks have different ranges of point of contact, some on a straight line some on a circle. Even a Front Snap Kick is part of a circle if you look at the point of origin to point of impact. Find where the different points of impact lies on the circular path that the Hook Kick travels. Locate the points where the kick is at its strongest and points where it is not a danger to you. Then make your move, either to close in past the points of contact so as to crowd your attacker or wait for the points of contact passes you then move in. You have to gage this type of move with proper timing. Remember an attacker cannot execute his Hook Kick if he is off balanced ( given an angle of Disturbance) on his supporting leg. Keep the pressure up on your attacker so as he cannot regain his balance. (Keep him in a Negative Posture).

Let me know what you come up with.

Larry Tatum

Jason responds: "OK Thought about what you said. There are actually many techniques that apply that I know. Maybe I should explore a little more than just looking for a specific technique. The concepts are there, I just have to apply them!

What worked:
Pressuring my opponent left them no time to throw the kick. They are to worried about my hands. When I slowed the action down, basically baiting then to throw the kick, universal block below the knee worked fine. I wanted to move in with raining claw, but never pulled the trigger. I do not know why. It was there! I felt like I was watching the action instead of creating it. It amazed me at the time I had to basically do whatever I wanted after stuffing the kick with the universal block, much like the technique that rolls into a hammer fist to the groin after blocking a round house and then obscure elbow to the chin. the technique name escapes me at this time.

Moving out of the way to a zone of obscurity as the kick went by was much easier to accomplish. From there I moved in and shot fish in a barrel. timing was much easier. And again, the time I had really surprise me as I moved in. The only thing that I had to worry about was the round house kick coming back after the hook kick had missed. I saw this as I was moving in, but I was not sparring with someone that had that ability, or better said did not know that was an option.

Lots of words up there but here it is:
No different from a round house punch. 5 swords would probably work, although I did not try it. I would not suggest starting with one armed blocks like shield and sword or the like, because if your timing is off it is still going to tag you. But! I believe it can be done. One thing you have said in your videos that has really spoke to me is this is a study of motion!!!! sometimes I forget that. Additionally, All storm techniques need to be looked at as well with this kick or any circular attack. Do not get caught on the apex of the attack. Destroy it early, or late, but not the apex of the circle.

One Comment: the kick looks powerful and is quite fast to analyze, but when stuffed, it did not seem to me that it had a lot on it. Probably because I was catching it early before it had time to develop speed.

triggers!!! or indicators... you cannot throw a hook kick without one. It is a off line side kick to start. Once you understand what you are seeing, once you analyze and are able to identify what you are seeing and feeling from an attack, you are there!!! you just have to execute. Period!

I am going to analyze this further especially looking at foot maneuvers to amplify certain defenses from the hook kick. I did not do this, but feel that there is some thing there to learn!

I also believe there is a leg attack that can be accomplished without creating an off balanced of stemmed attack. I will work on this as well.

Heck I may come up with a great self defense technique.

Thank you for stirring those creative juices! If ever I can be assistance, please let me know! I will get back on my further studies into this defense. If you have any comments, I would certainly appreciate them.

Jason"