If you were to review the original system of
Kenpo Karate formulated by Mr. Parker, you would see that he created two sets: The Star Block Set, and The Finger Set. In this month's Insights I'd like to share some insights into the Finger Set. One of the major purposes of the Finger Set is to categorize the seven methods of execution. The order of their occurrence in the Finger Set are:
Thrusting - The eight four-finger thrusts Notice the order of the first three methods: Thrust - Snap - Whip. Each of these three strikes subsequently decreases in the amount of penetration they may cause on a target. That is, thrusting strikes have more depth of penetration than snapping strikes; and likewise snapping strikes provide more penetration than whipping strikes.
Snapping - The double palm-up pokes
Whipping - The two overhead and two underhand whips
Slicing - The two-finger inward and then outward slices
Raking - The two heel-palm claws
Hammering - The two overhead heel-palm claws
Hooking - The final two-finger hooks
These three strikes work the dimension of depth.
Notice the order of the second two methods: Slice - Rake. Of these, raking strikes provide a deeper level of penetration than slicing strikes. Also, raking strikes provide a greater margin for error by striking with potentially all five fingers, while a finger slice offers only a single striking surface (made by the first two fingers pressed together).
These two strikes work the dimension of width.
The next method, hammering, introduces the dimension of height. Hammering strikes can best be thought of as thrusting strikes on the vertical downward line of execution.
The final method, hooking, combines the dimensions of depth and width. You may also want to study hooking strikes in terms of thrusting, snapping, whipping, etc.
Here are some questions you may want to explore regarding the Finger Set:
The Finger Set includes two back (over the shoulder) four-finger thrust strikes. These two strikes are repeated in the first hand isolations of Form #4. How do these pairs of strikes differ?
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