Club Set 1

The Club Set is not often taught nor always included in the standard sets curriculum, but enough Kenpo schools still teach this or want to learn this to warrant placing the set within the archive.

1. Attention Stance while holding both clubs in the middle with your left hand, which is hanging naturally at the side of your left leg.

2. You will then execute the Full Salutation with the clubs. Following is a description of that action.

1. Have your right foot move forward into a right front twist stance, facing 12 o'clock. As you step, cock your right clenched fist near your right ear. Simultaneous with this action bring the clubs across your body to have your left hand and the clubs touch your right fist.

2. Have your left foot step forward into a left 45 degree cat stance. As you step, bring your right clenched fist and your sticks (which are still touching your right hand) to the front.

3. Have your left foot step back toward 6 o'clock as you pull with both hands (back to back). The back of your hands should be touching your chest at the moment your left foot settles.

4. Have your right foot step back in line with your left foot. As you step back have your right hand circle clockwise and draw back to your right hip (fist clenched, palm up). Simultaneous with this action have your left hand position the clubs vertically in front of you with your left hand placed against your solar plexus.

5. At this point place the bottom ends of the club against your upper abdomen, tilt the top of both clubs forward on a slight 45 degree angle as your left hand followed by your right slides to the bottom of each of the clubs. Have your left hand grab the bottom of your left club and your right hand grab the bottom of your right club.

6. Immediately slide your left foot toward 9 o'clock into a horse stance, facing 12 o'clock. During this action have your left club circle clockwise and your right club circle counterclockwise. Have the tops of the clubs touch each other as they form a triangle just above the level of your forehead.

7. Now have both clubs cross each other (about mid-way on the clubs) as they are lowered slightly below the level of your chin.

8. Without loss of continuity, place both clubs together on a vertical plane (similar to praying) as they are lowered to the level of your solar plexus.

9. Quickly have both clubs circle from outside in (right hand counterclockwise, and the left hand clockwise)before crossing them at belt level. The tops of the clubs should be pointing down and toward 12 o'clock at a 45 degree angle.

1. Step your left foot back toward 6 o'clock into a right neutral bow, facing 12 o'clock. As you step back, execute a right inward-outward striking combination. Simultaneous with this combination strike have your left club positionally check low.

2. Switch (front to back) into a left neutral bow, facing 12 o'clock. As you switch, execute a left inward-outward striking combination. Simultaneous with this combination strike have your right club positionally check low.

3. Step your right foot forward into a right neutral bow, facing 12 o'clock. As you step forward, execute a right inward-outward striking combination. Simultaneous with this combination strike have your left club positionally check low.

4. Switch (back to front) into a left neutral bow facing 12 o'clock as you execute a left inward-outward striking combination. Simultaneous with this combination strike have your right club positionally check low.

1. Step your left foot back toward 6 o'clock into a right neutral bow facing 12 o'clock as you execute a right outward-inward striking combination. Simultaneous with this combination strike have your left club positionally check low.

2. Switch (front to back) into a left neutral bow, facing 12 o'clock. As you switch, execute a left outward-inward striking combination. Simultaneous with this combination strike have your right club positionally check low.

3. Step your right foot forward into a right neutral bow facing 12 o'clock as you execute a right outward-inward striking combination. Simultaneous with this combination strike have your left club positionally check low.

4. Switch (back to front) into a left neutral bow, facing 12 o'clock. As you switch, execute a left outward-inward striking combination. Simultaneous with this combination strike have your right club positionally check low.

1. Step your left foot back toward 6 o'clock into a right neutral bow facing 12 o'clock as you execute a right inside-outside downward striking combination. Simultaneous with this combination strike have your left club positionally check high.

2. Switch (front to back) into a left neutral bow, facing 12 o'clock. As you switch, execute a left inside-outside downward striking combination. Simultaneous with this combination strike have your right club positionally check high.

3. Step your right foot forward into a right neutral bow facing 12 o'clock as you execute a right inside-outside downward striking combination. Simultaneous with this combination strike have your left club positionally check high.

4. Switch (back to front) into a left neutral bow, facing 12 o'clock. As you switch, execute a left inside-outside downward striking combination. Simultaneous with this combination strike have your right club positionally check high.

1. Step your left foot back toward 6 o'clock into a right neutral bow facing 12 o'clock as you execute a right inward-outward figure eight striking combination (at shoulder level). Simultaneous with this combination strike have your left club positionally check low.

2. Switch (front to back) into a left neutral bow, facing 12 o'clock. As you switch, execute a left inward-outward figure eight striking combination (at shoulder level). Simultaneous with this combination strike have your right club positionally check low.

1. Switch (front to back) into a right neutral bow, facing 12 o'clock. As you switch, execute a right inside-outside downward figure eight striking combination (below the level of your hips). Simultaneous with this combination strike have your left club positionally check high.

2. Switch (front to back) into a left neutral bow, facing 12 o'clock. As you switch, execute a left inside-outside downward figure eight striking combination (below the level of your hips). Simultaneous with this combination strike have your right club positionally check high.

1. Slide your right foot up to, in line with, and against your left foot (similar to an attention stance) as you cross your clubs in front of you at head level (right under left) to execute two outward strikes.

2. Immediately reverse the motion of both clubs and execute two inward strikes that once again cross in front of you at head level (right over left).

3. Without disrupting the flow of your action, bend your knees as you cross your clubs below your waist (right over left) while executing two outside downward strikes.

4. Immediately reverse the motion of both clubs and execute two inside downward strikes that once again cross in front of you below your waist (right under left).

1. Slide your left foot toward 4:30 into a right neutral bow, facing 10:30 as you execute a right inward and left outward parry combination (to the outside of an opponent's left arm. Your left hand finishes palm up and on top of your opponent's left arm (like a waiter carrying a tray at or above his left elbow). Without any loss of motion, your right inward parry continues to circle counterclockwise and becomes a right outward strike to your opponent's left lower ribcage.

2. Immediately have your right foot drop back toward 4:30 into a left front twist stance, facing 10:30. As you drop back into your twist stance, execute a right outside downward parry. Simultaneous with this parry execute a left inward parry.

3. Quickly have your right foot step forward into a right front twist stance, facing 10:30 as you execute a right inward overhead club strike to the back of your opponent's neck. Simultaneous with this strike execute a left outside downward strike toward your opponent's left knee.

1. Step your left foot toward 10:30 into a transitional horse stance, and immediately slide your right foot toward 7:30 into a left neutral bow, facing 1:30 as you execute a left inward and right outward parry combination (to the outside of an opponent's right arm. Your right hand finishes palm up and on top of your opponent's right arm (like a waiter carrying a tray at or above his right elbow). Without any loss of motion, your left inward parry continues to circle clockwise and becomes a left outward strike to your opponent's right lower ribcage.

2. Immediately have your left foot drop back toward 7:30 into a right front twist stance, facing 1:30. As you drop back into your twist stance, execute a left outside downward parry. Simultaneous with this parry execute a right inward parry.

3. Quickly have your left foot step forward into a left front twist stance, facing 1:30. As you step forward execute a left inward overhead club strike to the back of your opponent's neck. Simultaneous with this strike execute a right outside downward strike toward your opponent's right knee.

1. Slide your right foot to your left foot and out into a horse stance facing 12 o'clock. Simultaneous with this action tuck both clubs under their respective armpits.

2. Without disrupting the flow of your action have both of your arms pin the clubs to your body as your hands switch from the long or extended grab to the short or cradled grab while the clubs remain under your armpits.

1. Have your left foot step back toward 6 o'clock into a right neutral bow facing 12 o'clock. As you step back, execute:

a. Right upward block - left low positional block
b. Right inward block - left low positional block
c. Right outward block - left low positional block
d. Right inside downward block - left high positional block
e. Right outside downward block - left high positional block
f. Right inside downward block - left high positional block

2. Switch (front to back) into a left neutral bow, facing 12 o'clock. As you switch, execute:

a. Left upward block - right low positional block
b. Left inward block - right low positional block
c. Left outward block - right low positional block
d. Left inside downward block - right high positional block
e. Left outside downward block - right high positional block
f. Left inside downward block - right high positional block

3. Have your right foot step forward into a right neutral bow facing 12 o'clock as you execute:

4. Switch (back to front) into a left neutral bow facing 12 o'clock as you execute:

1. Have your left foot drop back into a horse stance facing 12 o'clock as you execute:

a. Double upward blocks (Cross Block)
b. Double inward blocks
c. Double outward blocks
d. Double inside downward blocks
e. Double outside downward blocks
f. Double inside downward blocks

2. While still in your horse stance and from your last points of contact, execute:

a. Double wrist flicks toward 12 o'clock so that the upper case of your sticks finish pointing down.
b. Double wrist outward wrist flicks (right hand counterclockwise and left hand clockwise) so that the upper case of your sticks are pointing toward 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock, respectively.
c. Double wrist flicks toward 12 o'clock so that the upper case of your sticks finish pointing toward 12 o'clock.
d. Double wrist flicks toward 12 o'clock so that the upper case of your sticks finish pointing upward. (This is the reverse motion of the previous move.)

1. Draw both clubs toward the center of your body and position the upper case points next to your solar plexus.

2. Have your left hand take control of both clubs sliding it up to the middle of both clubs.

3. Execute the Full Salutation with the clubs as already described at the opening of the form.

CLUB SET #1 CONTAINS:

1. Basic Stances
- Attention Stance
- Horse Stance
- Neutral Bow
- Cat Stance
- Front Twist Stance
Basis Maneuvers
- Step-Throughs
  - Forward and Reverse
- Switches
  - Back to Front
  - Front to Back
- Crossover
  - Front Crossover
  - Rear Crossover
- Angle Changes
Blocks with the Clubs
- Positional Blocks with Long-Held Grip
  - Low
  - High
- Positional Blocks with a Short-Held Grip
  - Low
  - High
- Striking Blocks with a Short-Held Grip
  - Upward
  - Inward
  - Outward
  - Downward
    - Inside
    - Outside
  - Double
- Parrying Blocks with a Long-Held Grip
  - Inward
  - Outward
  - Outward Downward
Strikes with the Clubs
- Long-Held
  - Inward-Outward Combination
  - Outward-Inward Combination
  - Inside-Outside Downward
  - Inward-Outward Figure 8
  - Inside-Outside Downward Figure 8
  - Double Inward- at head level
  - Double Inward Downward- below waist level
  - Double Outside Downward- below waist level
  - Outward
  - Inward Overhead
  - Outward Downward
  - Double Underhand flicks with Short-Held Grip

CLUB SET #1 TEACHES:

1. How to properly execute an inward-outward striking combination with the long-held grip and while simultaneously positionally checking with a second club in the long-held position. Also teaches how while stepping through and switching.

2. How to properly execute an outward-inward striking combination with the long-held grip and while simultaneously positionally checking with a second club in the long-held position. Also teaches how while stepping through or switching.

3. How to properly execute an inside-outside downward striking combination with the long-held grip and while simultaneously positionally checking with a second club in the long-held grip. Also teaches how while stepping through or switching.

4. How to properly execute an inward-outward figure eight striking combination with the long-held grip and while simultaneously positionally checking with a second club in the long-held grip. Also teaches how while stepping through or switching.

5. How to properly execute strikes to gain the full benefits of geometric paths.

6. The correct corresponding angles of positional blocks with your clubs that provide maximum protection, minimum effort, and structural reinforcement.

7. Application of the Double Factor when using two man-made weapons within the same height zone and within a different height zone.

8. Those preferred Angles of Execution and Contact that will provide Economy of Motion.

9. How to criss-cross your clubs - inward and outward; high and low.

10. The importance of training in your initial stages with a properly tailored weapon.

11. The advantages of Shortening the Circle when working with clubs.

12. That clubs can be thought of as an aggressive weapon, requiring
an aggressive attitude when employing them for both offensive as well as defensive purposes.

13. Innumerable ways of employing the Double Factor with two clubs when using long-held grips and short held-grip.

14. How to properly execute a sequence of blocks (or strikes) with the short-held grip and while simultaneously positionally checking with a second club in the short-held grip. Also teaches how to do so while stepping through or switching. Also taught singularly or doubly.

15. How to execute quick deceptive wrist flicks to a variety of angles, while in a short-held grip.

NOTES ON CLUB SET #1:

1. Why do you think the hand movements in this set are introduced to you as strikes rather than blocks?

2. Practice your set with metal clubs that are sufficiently heavy to produce stronger forearms.

3. As you learned in staff set, put green tape on one end and red tape on the other end of your clubs as a learning tool.

4. Practice this set with a partner who provides attacks:

a. With his hands only.
b. With his feet only.
c. A combination of his hands and feet.
d. A variety of man-made weapons.
e. A combination of man-made and natural weapons.
f. A combination of man-made and natural weapons that employ
lower case motion as well as upper case motion.
g. A combination of man-made and natural weapons that employ
long-held as well as short-held grips.