I got an email from Jim Brassard today. He has a nice video on combination 17 posted to Youtube today. He refers to the old habit of many Shaolin Kempo folks regarding stepping back and shows his interpretation.
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Combination 17
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Let me say that I agree with Mr. Brassard about the stepping back away from an attack. I don’t think it should have found its way into intermediate or advanced techniques (which we can certainly say covers green belt where 17 is normally found), and sets me into the discussion with my students about stepping in left rather then back right BUT in the case of 17 I was taught neither. When I was taught 17 it was with a dragon block (circular block, right palm left knife whatever your verbage) and deliver a simultaneous right front kick to attackers groin. From that point the techs are almost identical. Thanks again to Mr. Brassard for continually sharing his knowledge via Youtube and hope to someday meet this gentleman.
I actually never had 17 with the step back, and definitely teach it with an aggressive forward pressure. It’s just inviting a second punch otherwise. Our footwork aimed the right foot just inside the attacker’s rear foot.
The idea of step in vs. step back (right or left) to an equivalent position is a good one. It takes just as much time, but stepping in tends to give you much better position most of the time.
Hey Guys,
This was the 17 that was taught in 1977, and that was my referencing point. The mutations you’re talking about did not seem to appear until about 1990 if my memory serves, and for the better I might add.
I noticed some other techniques that had that same ‘sluggish’ movement and was glad to see that they had grown more efficient. By the time I started (1990) things had already changed. I’m guessing your memory serves you correctly.