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INTRODUCTORY LESSON II

As you approach Introductory Lesson II, I stress that you should fully understand Introductory Lesson I. As the program builds, you must learn each technique in order, so that at the end of the training program you will have mastered the first step of the art. This lesson builds on the last, and if you have any trouble with the old material, work with it until you know it.

INWARD BLOCK AND CHOP

Since you have learned the inward block and the knife hand chop, it is time to put the two together. Stand in a Horse Stance and have your practice partner throw a right punch toward your head. (Practice punches should be thrown slowly in the beginning and gradually increased in speed.) As your partner throws the punch, he should yell "Go," alerting you that his fist is on the way. You will respond to this attack by throwing a right inward block, followed by a right knife hand chop toward your partner's throat (figs. 28, 29 and 30). It is wise to have your practice partner hold his unused hand in front of his throat, offering you a practice target (focal point) and also protecting himself against accidental injury.

After practicing the right block and chop for a few minutes, have your partner punch toward you with his left fist, once again shouting "Go," and perform the motion from the left side.

When you have learned the block and chop technique from both the right and left sides, put the two together by alternating the right and left for a period of about thirty seconds.

FRONT SNAP KICKS OFF FRONT FEET

Assume a right-rear Forward Stance — you will now be throwing front snap kicks off your front foot (your left). This may seem hard at first, but it is easy. Pull your left knee up and assume the position in fig. 31. You have lifted your left foot and assumed the standard front snap kick cocked position. Now throw the front snap kick and replant your left foot in the Forward Stance position. Practice this motion until it feels comfortable, and then try it from a left-rear Forward Stance. Your fists should remain clenched at your hips and you should try to keep your form as perfect as possible.

INWARD BLOCK AND FRONT SNAP KICK

Stand in a right-rear Forward Stance, fists clenched and resting on your hip bones. Throw a right inward block and follow it with a snap kick off your right (rear) foot as you pull your fist back to your side.

Practice this block and kick motion in all possible combinations (kicking off the front and rear feet from both right- and left-rear stances) but remember, if you block with your right arm, you must kick with your right foot, and alternately if you block with your left arm you must kick with your left foot.

REAR KICK

The rear kick is probably the most difficult move that you have encountered thus far. The movement requires agility, but do not worry if it does not come easily — as you practice it, it will improve.

To begin, stand with feet together, knees slightly bent and your arms at your sides. (While you throw a kick, the leg you are left standing on should be bent to allow for better balance.)

You will first perform a right rear kick, so lift your right knee as in fig. 32. Now, bend forward assuming the position in fig. 33. Kick to the rear as in fig. 34 and rapidly pull your leg back to the fig. 33 position and replant your foot on the floor. If the kick has been performed correctly, you will have thrown your right leg straight back, brushing the inside of your left, and will have focused the kick in your heel (the toughest part of your foot). Since you don't want to injure your foot in an attack situation, be sure to focus the kick in your heel.

It is important to look to the rear as you kick — to actually watch where you are kicking. In an attack situation you can't kick what you can't see. Generally, you can watch your kick in two ways:

1. as you bend forward look over your shoulder and watch your foot kick

2. as you are bent forward look under your leg and watch your foot kick

When you've learned the right rear kick, try the same motion off the left foot. When you can perform both kicks to your satisfaction, move on to the next section.

FRONT SNAP AND REAR KICK COMBINATION

For this exercise, stand with feet together, knees slightly bent and your arms down at your sides. Perform a front snap kick at knee height off your right foot and, without replanting your foot on the floor, bend forward and throw a rear kick. Once again, it is important to look where you are kicking. Remember — watch your foot kick.

Now try the combination off your left side, and don't let your foot touch the floor between kicks. Balance presents the major problem — try to maintain it as well as you can.

DEFENSE TECHNIQUES

ORIENTAL STRANGLE HOLD

Fig. 35 illustrates the Oriental Strangle Hold. In order to break it, step left to a 9:00 Horse Stance while tucking your chin in the crook of your attacker's arm (by the elbow) as in fig. 36. You are now protected from strangulation as your chin is holding his arm away from your throat. Now, raise your right arm, fist clenched and drive your right elbow straight back into your attacker's solar plexus (fig. 37). Use your elbow as a fulcrum and drive your right hammerfist (fig. 38) into your attacker's groin (fig. 39). Now drive your right elbow straight up under your attacker's chin (fig. 40). The hold is broken and your attacker is effectively neutralized.

Once again, this technique can be practiced without a partner playing the role of attacker, but if a partner is used, be careful not to actually strike him. This safe method of striking is called "control," and the best practitioners of the martial arts can control any strike they wish, and they are able to practice and even "fight" without causing injury.

HEADLOCK — VARIATION A

(Attacker's feet are together)

There are four variations for the Headlock (Variations A, B, C and D). Variation A is the first and simplest. The starting position is shown in fig. 41. Step with your right foot to a Horse Stance at 2:30, cocking both your right and left arms for hammerfist strikes (fig. 42). Throw your left hammerfist to your attacker's left kidney, and at the same time, your right to his groin (fig. 43). Now grab your attacker's hair with your left hand (fig. 44) (his hold will be broken) and drive your right palm up under his chin (fig. 45). This palm thrust completes the technique — exercise caution in practicing it.

As with Introductory Lesson I, this second lesson should be practiced and reviewed for about three days before moving on to Introductory Lesson III. Refer to the book for review and make sure that you learn all the movements as well as possible.