Jeff Speakman - Snapping Twig

[@brichardsfourty]

I miss Jeff Speakman I remember training with him at one of his dojos in Arizona really great person Mr Speakman very very smart

[@solice8844]

II-BadSport Vulture-II I attended his class here in Sacramento a few years back. Excellent teacher.

[@Kit_Bear]

Am I the only one who finds Professor Speakman and Master Tatum's movements beautiful to watch, like watching an artist stroke the canvas with a brush to make a masterpiece, individual strokes mean nothing but combined make beauty, it's just perfection every time.

[@notyou8716]

Pretty but thoroughly impractical in a violent encounter, especially if your opponent is wearing multiple layers or if you are fighting on icy or an unstable surface.

[@drd1924]

@@notyou8716 Or if you're gonna fight on the moon where you can't rely on gravity to help plant your rear foot before executing a well practiced strike, right bruh? I mean, this karate stuff is just impractical rehearsed dance moves

[@deebiggie7984]

No, I dell in love with his style many moons ago

[@Onegoodman68]

I agree I’ve often said Master Larry Tatum, watching him go through his moves is white like watching the most beautiful and lethal dance you’ve ever seen .What he’s doing and what information that he wants to impart comes across very well. Mr. Speakman strikes me as a very intelligent, eloquent and talented teacher who moves like lightning and hits like thunder.

[@arcanemuses]

My kung fu teacher trained with him a few times. He said that Jeff Speakman was the fastest man he had ever seen. And as for concerns about the opponent standing still/not standing still; many of these attack patterns can be adapted with aggressive starts, rather than defensive. It's all just theory, anyway, It is up to the individual to adapt the moves to each situation. In the few instances where I found myself in danger (and won), not once did I follow a technique perfectly. Peace:)

[@sweeperstore]

That bullwhip effect with the elbow is interesting. You don't see much of that in Karate...but you can generate momentum in the same way with your core. I love watching Speakman, Tatum, and a few others do their techniques. You can usually pick up something you didn't know before, even if you are experienced.

[@Bladestar7]

That's what I like about Kenpo. Its the perfect transition between Karate and Kung fu. And I love how Jeff Speakman breaks things down. Of course he's still going to be fast. He's been doing Kenpo for years. Now will a real fight be like the drill: of course not. But the Drill will give you options and muscle memory when the real fight occurs.

[@tonynomikos3702]

Its like a much more aggressive version of wing chun i love it but you are right its a great style i love it especially if you mix it up with karate it is a great blend

[@quanfa88]

@austenbosten Close. Doing strict, textbook-style techniques is like the tiger, while finding your own inner structure is like the dragon. The techniques flow from structure; if your structure is tiger-like, your techniques will be tiger-like, etc. Remember, however, the textbook techniques are a bridge you must cross. You cannot find your inner structure, without first mastering the textbook-style structure. If you go directly to the inner structure, you will simply have empty techniques.

[@rctjacksonville]

I have watched Mr. Speakman's technique for decades and this guy is the real deal. I am a student of Akido and have achieved a 2nd Dan, from that view point this man's movements are as fluid as I have ever seen even besting that of Bruce Lee.

[@luxurybuzz3681]

Bruce Lee and Speakman have very different movements.

[@RockLegendOwns]

@clearcombat It's called drill. You know why? Because they practice it all the time, that it doesn't become drill anymore, it just becomes an instinct, instant reaction. They DO NOT have to think about it. They just do it.

[@TYR1969]

Speakman has been my hero for years!

[@tonysicily2687]

A great martial artist, a great sensei and yet still a gentlemen. Did anyone else notice the almost throw-away apology before the major strike. Such a nice guy.

[@sajmeister]

Blink and you'll miss it at 1:25 this guy emits power. I met him at an event in Germany back in 2010, and did a seminar with him too. He was lightning fast and he hit me in the kidney with probably only 10% of his actual power and speed, and I fell like a ton of bricks.

[@brianmucha6426]

Yep. That's real power from focused Chi energy. I like when he says: "Imagine if that had struck the corner of the jaw instead of the chest.." Uh, no thank you Sensei!".

[@sajmeister]

@@brianmucha6426 you know it dude

[@sajmeister]

@@SamCobb I know what you mean. Same sort of power and skills but a nicer personality overall 💯

[@GinXYZ]

GEEZ...at 1:25, when he he strikes his partner, it sounds like his partner was hit with a lead pipe, not a fist. That was Jeff's idea of hitting him "a little bit"? I can only imagine how much that stung. Sure glad didn't decide to hit him "a lot" lol

[@solice8844]

Dane Ilario The force of the passing wind alone is enough to knock him over.

[@filthyfew77]

jeff speakman is..... the perfect weapon

[@toddjohnson4845]

master speakman. you are a god to me.when you made the perfect weapon.it changed my life.stay strong my brother

[@williammora2003]

One of my favorite techniques. Well explained and learned something new. 😊🐊🤙

[@matbok22]

now that was a sonic boom!i'm speachless

[@jorgen.zamora]

speakman rules!

[@germanvorrathmora8964]

Thank you for your amazing videos

[@troop40100]

I'm not much of a martial artist, I took Kenpo when I was teenager but the inward parry I learned helped me years latter when a Serb tried to stab me in the face...just saying.

[@markrutledge6404]

Awesome.. !! You are still the perfect weapon!! 💪✌️

[@SecretsOfMartialArts]

I love Jeff!!! He is Kenpo!!!!

[@captainjimcook]

That was amazing.

[@michaelloughrie2573]

The noise he makes with his hand.... omg

[@solice8844]

Michael Loughrie Imagine that force hitting your jawline followed up by the inward elbow strike carrying the full body weight behind it. Nothing would be left standing.

[@wilhard45]

Notice all the it is too complex comments. Not sure if it is from those that lack the ability to learn something beyond kick-step-punch or those that just don't get it. Most of these techniques are taught not as something that must be completed but as a vehicle to teach solid technique and possible combinations. limited background and into more advanced study. Learning how to properly strike, react, distance, and useful combinations is all part of maturing.

[@solice8844]

wilhard45 No, the comments are not too complex but rather, they are standard American Kenpo dialogue. Purposeful compliance is using the opponent ‘s own force and energy against him. Circular and linear motions are the mainstay of Ed Parker’s teachings. Canceling the opponent’s height and foundation is a prerequisite and key to imposing a successful technique. After the elbow breaking maneuver the technique is followed up with a whipping circular fist to the face, nose cartilage, or jawline and completed with the inward elbow strike and cover out front crossover to the rear. Snapping Twig is one of my favorite Kenpo techniques. The body alignment shift from forward bow to neutral bow allows greater torque on the hammer fist strike to collapse the facial bone. Directional harmony is the principle behind the inward elbow sandwich he refers to. Some practitioners will graft follow up techniques thereafter but the base technique is demonstrated here. Mr. F 2nd Degree Black Belt American Kenpo

[@tomford4180]

Good point. Techniques got so numerous,long& complicated in the Parker system that even high ranking practitioners of the art had to categorize them all in a notebook just to keep track of them all.

[@solice8844]

Tom Ford I’m a “high ranking practitioner” and I don’t see anything wrong with that. Rather, you have many more weapons at your disposal.

[@synago_scribe]

I really enjoy this resource for Kenpo. Speakman does a great Job, I think Parker would be very proud. Creativity, eclecticism, and an adaptive mindset to an ever changing world really makes the difference Osu! AdaptiveShotokan.

[@mattpatterson9128]

I'm a Kuntao man now, however, i always enjoyed watching American Kenpo guys work. Speakman Amazed me when he made the Perfect Weapon. I read one of Ed Parker's books in the 80's and i was quite impressed.

[@BRENDAJASON1]

Thanks jeff

[@quanfa88]

@austenbosten No, I am currently dedicated Shaolin 5 Animals kung fu, in conjunction with unstructured Wing Chun. However, the principles in these systems have many similarities with AKK (5 Animals is one of AKK's main ancestors). Earlier in my martial arts career, I studied & taught Korean martial arts. The most important thing is that you learn the art you love. It is good to find a student who has a real interest in learning, rather than just trashing other styles. Best of luck to you.

[@hasanbozkurt4540]

Speakman realy fightin move star kenpo master kempo best fight still

[@RDraGon2179]

Tru.....high kicks are risky and usually don't work in most areas. But they have their purpose if you know when to use them.

[@quanfa88]

@austenbosten Beginners are taught "textbook" style, to allow them to get the feeling of structure. As students progress, they can and should depart from strictly delineated textbook structure, in order to find the natural structure of their bodies. Then they won't have to be placed in precise positions in order to have good structure; they will simply have it all the time (without conscious effort). This is how an advanced practitioner can be "lazy," but still have good structure.

[@KeepItFresh02]

@MrBotheman When you start kenpo its slow paced. fast paced would be when you reach an advanced level of kenpo. most important is to find a good school with good instructors that teach the ed parker's kenpo system. Its important to understand that the instructors are speaking kenpo. note how mr speakman instructs snapping twig using kenpo terminology and specifics. if the instructor does not speak kenpo then you are in the wrong place. Where are you located?

[@borobei]

Does Kenpo 5.0 differ a lot from American kenpo besides the groundwork? I've heard and read very good comments about mr. Speakman and also mr. Tatum and mr. Trejo.

[@austenbosten]

@quanfa88 Thanks I think I now have it down and I have no problem learning the techniques before inner structure...are you an AKK martial artist?

[@austenbosten]

@quanfa88 Thank you so much! I just had my first intro session with Mr. Hatfield (trained with Mr. Parker) he's a great instructor, I really wish I appreciated him and Kenpo more when I was a kid (Oh the ignorance and arrogance of youth). I really like it, though I have to work hard on my left side as my balance is substantially weaker than on the right when I do my kicking exercises. So to sum up, from the film The Perfect Weapon. Technique is like the tiger, while the Structure is the dragon.

[@montytjdk]

I have heard that selvdefense systems like Kenpo and kraw maga dont use high kicks, most kicks are to the groin, which is effektive and much easier. And that helps if a guy is a bit heavier

[@solice8844]

montytjdk High kicks overextend and require longer retraction time allowing for retaliatory strikes from your opponent. Kenpo utilizes shorter kicks to the groin, knee, solar plexus, and head (generally when the assailant’s head is bent over for shorter distance). The trade off is that this allows for many more “rapid fire” Kenpo strikes before the enemy can recover (see the Perfect Weapon movie segment where Speakman fights the Tae Kwon Do gym boys).

[@quanfa88]

@austenbosten That's a pretty good grasp, considering I was only able to explain in a few paragraphs without actual instruction (pat yourself on the back). I'll use an example from Wing Chun to illustrate my point (the same will hold true for Kenpo). One of the most famous Wing Chun masters of the 20th century was Wong Shun Leung. One of his students, an Australian named David Peterson, is now a master as well. Find the KZbin videos of Wong Shun Leung and David Peterson.

[@civic626]

@Bladestar7 Pretty much. I used to take it & I'm thinking the thing is obviously it gets easier for them but for others it's going to be like "screw this". Even for me it's like "cmon". Thing about kenpo is that the principles etc are sound. I've used stuff from kenpo in fights. When I did I never busted out into routines just because as you see it's a bit overcomplicated. Even white belt they covered things that would take 2-3+ belts in other arts that I took, if in there at all.

[@michaelloder5150]

When you become a master of their caliber it comes down to science of the body and how it reacts, that is why you have Masters teach the way they do, I am not on their level but always taught my students that way.

[@RDraGon2179]

I just saw a thing on Black Belt Magazine web page that Jeff Speakman has throat cancer. I hope he has a speedy recover.

[@vze21gwa]

My problem with this technique is the right hand of the attacker. If he attacks you with his left, whose to say he won't take a punch with his right?

[@GinXYZ]

@SUPERSTUD6000 Projecting again are we?

[@sajmeister]

Damn! Look at 1:25, he really is that fast. When you take pictures of him doing moves he is so fast that it comes out blurry!

[@solice8844]

sajmeister I love the disbelievers who say that wasn’t real. Nothing would be left standing after that strike.

[@Onegoodman68]

sajmeister It made me duck and thank God I wasn't there to be the target of that belt in the jaw!

[@arcanemuses]

@muclesmarinara I agree. One good hit to the right spot is usually all it takes to take the fight out of someone. Kenpo just gives you more options in case that first hit isn't enough.

[@BradYaeger]

@clearcombat i agree with where you are coming from, and my roots are in chinese/american kenpo. i still believe it has so much to offer any artist but it has always been to vast for it's own good. it's an encyclopedia when you need a short story. and thats not easy for me to say because i love the art .

[@buzzardneckseahag]

I love it From Albany NY

[@sajmeister]

@BX02 I didn't sy it was impossible but the average photographer will not be able to catch his movements, they do come out blurry.

[@BillClay88]

This guy still has lightning quick hands..amazing, was like watching perfect weapon before special effects an cgi, u can clearly see his hand speed, was ridiculous, his other movies didn't showcase a fraction of talent in PW

[@raksh9]

It looks like Jeff in these segments is smoother, more grooved, and has better control of his body mechanics now, than he did in Perfect Weapon. I think another issue is that in movies, movements need to be larger in order to 'sell' the shot. There's an interview with Don Wilson where he said that in his first movie, they shot all the fight scenes with the same technique as if they were in the ring. No telegraphing, no wind up. He said it looked awful on film because it wasn't showy enough. So Jeff's technique in the movies was likely made 'larger' in order to look good on the screen.

[@toddymo]

@MrBotheman Give it a try. I teach a Kenpo/Chuan Fa derivative style, but not Ed Parker's American Kenpo...some of the concepts are superb in this video (canceling the height, kinesthetic striking), but we walked away from the full EPAK self defense for several reasons: 1. very complex 2. too much overkill "programmed" in to the technique (they call it overskill), it assumes things occur in a vacuum. As a fighting style...well...you will learn to really fight. HOpe this helps.

[@GinXYZ]

@SUPERSTUD6000 Still nipping at the heels, mark?

[@JoesRambles]

1:24 Jeff: I’m going to hit you here a little bit. Man: Ok Jeff: Proceeds to remove the man’s soul from his body.

[@SuperKenster1]

Is everyone in Kenpo a master or above and whats with the WWF body slaps?

[@kungfusansootsoilihofuthun8895]

0:05 right kick into groin/ribs, knee to face/jaw K.O no need to drag opponent forward opening yourself up to eat a fist. Evolution

[@horothgar0008]

Jeff Speakman should come out on expandandibles 3

[@quanfa88]

@austenbosten This begs the question, "why is the student performing better than his teacher?" The answer is that Peterson is only better from the perspective of someone who only understands textbook-style movements. While Peterson's techniques are superb, he does not yet quite have the experience & understanding that Wong was ultimately able to achieve. Wong was so aware of his inner structure, that he was able to reach the goal of "forgetting" textbook structure, and taking shortcuts to

[@quanfa88]

While it is true that being in good shape is preferable to being obese, true martial arts do not absolutely require it. Arts such as Kenpo & Kung Fu have an internal structure that the practitioner must "find." Once said practitioner finds his structure, he can ironically become lazier with his technique (meaning he no longer has to strictly follow textbook motions for the techniques to work). While Mr. Speakman does appear to be over-weight, his Kenpo is better now than when he was young.

[@BODYBAGxPAT]

Nope. Hed be much stronger if he was in shape

[@GothamKnight84661]

@@BODYBAGxPAT He can still kick your ass before you can blink.

[@sajmeister]

@jadeezy21 I KNOW & it is 1:25

[@paulruprai1274]

Sure flows... Cool

[@yermisncaraballod.7310]

Me encanta esta técnica!!! 🥋🔺♥️

[@hyena_toucanplayz117]

This realy helped with my kempo

[@redbunnytail9528]

I saw the words 'Bull Whip.' When Speakman Sensei hit his partner's gi, it sounded like a heavy duty bull whip. Not what I expected. But. That's the intriguing thing about American Kempo. There's just a huge amount of stuff to learn to do these very short exchanges. Everything mentioned or not, is a serious undertaking. I see people targeting American Kempo in their clips. A lot of people don't see past this idea of an art that gives proficiency very quickly and a prime in your 20-30's to pursue it, and it's not a good way to head into middle and old age. You get older. If you stop responding to conflict, you might be ready to learn this type of martial art. If you want to take on the baddest dude, you'll always train a quick way to respond to them. So. You learn nothing advanced.

[@austenbosten]

@quanfa88 I'm really curious because I'm just into Kenpo. What do you mean by "structure"?

[@rmt4846]

for what reason? Almost always the one who defends and counterattacks does so with a left guard?

[@etaishachar7086]

So awesome and so scary. Imagine that hammer fist.

[@austenbosten]

@quanfa88 So let me understand this. It doesn't matter how you get to your goal, it's how you achieve it. To summarize,. The "texbook" is like having GPS to direct you to your destination. It may be stiff and methodological, but it will get you there. Structure is knowing already how to get there, but knowing the shortcuts to get to the same place quicker and with ease. Is that about right?

[@MatthewSmith-ey1ih]

Do the spine spindler Jeff!

[@quanfa88]

@austenbosten realize his intended purpose. While sticking to the textbook format is technically correct, it is inherently limited, as a practitioner with only textbook structure will be ineffective once his strictly delineated form is broken by opponent or environment. A master who truly knows his structure, will always have it, whether or not he is in a textbook pose. This is ultimately the meaning of the Chinese idea of having "no-form." Good luck in your training, and practice hard.

[@CraigBushon]

1:26

[@solice8844]

Craig Bushon Absolutely. The real power is on full display that naysayers cannot grasp.

[@GinXYZ]

@SUPERSTUD6000 *yawn* did you say something, mark?

[@rockd2808]

I’m a Tkd guy and boxer not a Kempo man , but man this looks like a solid powerful effective technique

[@tom8181]

I love kempo

[@bamy-ceechuanfa8420]

Pretty Mr speak man.

[@laurita7857]

Buenísimo gracias

[@lorenzosantiago2127]

Love Kenpo

[@quanfa88]

@austenbosten When Peterson performs the form, his structure is textbook-perfect. He should be used as a guide in instructional books & vids. He is easy to follow, and it is relatively simple to decipher the purpose of each of his movements. However, when his teacher (Wong) performs the same form, to the untrained eye he seems almost sloppy by comparison. His body positioning differs slightly from the textbook version, and his movements are not as clearly delineated.

[@BradYaeger]

big fan of mr. speakman, and of the art of chinese kenpo in which i hold advanced belts. but i worry that over the last ten years the art has gone hyper technical in the explanation while losing sight of the chaotic nature of a fight. in my opinion when the shit hits the fan, we all fall back to our yellow belt basics and just start swinging. i would love to see the principles taught in a less scientific manner so beginners can use it. again, i LOVE kenpo, but have concerns..respectfully

[@SUPERSTUD6000]

@GinXYZ i think you mean kankles.

[@quanfa88]

@austenbosten "Structure" refers to body alignment and positioning, specifically to achieve maximum power, perfect balance, proper defensive attitude, and ease of movement. It is very hard to describe; it must be seen and felt. In these vids, Jeff Speakman has very good structure. However, this idea has been nearly lost in modern, Western martial arts. This is a shame, as it is absolutely essential for a practitioner to gain and understand structure.

[@KeepItFresh02]

@MrBotheman Georgia might have a few schools that were students of Lee Wedlake, very respectable kenpo guy. His knowledge is great, although he was more talk than anything else. you want to find a school that can talk as well as do kenpo. the upper belts should make you feel scared to get hit by them, they should not be paper tigers. Good Luck!

[@cine.musique]

the terms they made up kills me lol.

[@JJ-dc7tt]

nice vid.

[@deejin25]

On the one hand, Jeff Speakman moves with power, speed, authority and Grace. Unlike half the Kenpo "masters" on you tube he rotates his hips, to generate power, using his body, not just hand movements... On the other hand, why would you practice hitting throat, jaw and then elbowing the temple against a PUSH?!! It's like someone shoves you in a club and you cut his throat and then maim the dead body.

[@clearcombat]

@MrByaeger Well said.

[@Bladestar7]

@MrByaeger so basically what you're saying dont be to hungup on technical stuff. Its best to make things simplistic and basic. If you make things too complictaed and long it becomes a classical mess.

[@Realitydenizen]

Did you actually see Elvis move? Red belt is an honorary rank that he received because of helping Ed Parker but the man was no slouch either, watch the videos of him beating up on his bodyguards.

[@clearcombat]

@RockLegendOwns When you have to remember all this you will freeze. Would you really do this to protect yourself? I do security for high-end businesses and I have been attacked several times and the best thing is to grab and throw them then strike. It's not the movies out there.

[@StevenPadilla-f8q]

It must be hard to know if this works in real world when you can't really see the effects of hitting someone without hurting them. With boxing or catch can, it can be done, but kempo is attacking the sensitive places

[@arcanemuses]

@muclesmarinara Sorry. It seems only the last part of my reply got through. What said was that I think that because usually the first strike in a flurry of blows is a stunning/vital/distracting strike to a sensitive area, it may allow for the other hits to follow through with little resistance. Speed is great. But only if you hit the right spots at the right times. Of course, I am no master/expert. So, discover the truth for your self. Good luck:)

[@arcanemuses]

@jmo8yfo Thank you, sir.

[@MrKenpokid]

exactly like of you kick a guy in the groin he will buckle down and then you can headkick him easier

[@jadeezy21]

OMG 1:26....

[@solice8844]

jadeezy21 Welcome to black belt Kenpo as practiced by upper ranked practitioners.

[@goggy6850]

too scientific, that first move could be a simple elbow and right cross. no one is going to remember this in a fight unless you got 10 years training in it. the initial move is good thought.

[@jimlowe5433]

Correct George. But it is about understanding motion. Fact is, it depends on how long one studies and practices the knowledge of Kenpo. Kenpo is designed to give you what you need, and whatever else can come with it. Science is a good thing too, but of course, too much of anything can always get in the way.

[@DjangoJohnson1911]

i love buzz words...

[@1bigreddog1]

Hurricane Hands!!!!!

[@arcanemuses]

@muclesmarinara Yep:) The same goes for Kung Fu. That's why it will probably never gain much fame in the UFC or other MMA. The rapid strike patterns are heavily reliant of hitting soft spots.

[@thevillageyid]

Looks a lot like wing chun.

[@arcanemuses]

@muclesmarinara or yourself.

[@RayHuber-if7yb]

Ouch, lol

[@RDraGon2179]

That what makes kempo great!! They can be fat and it works for their body type because the swinging their arms around and don't use many high kicks. Perfect for the real world. All jokes aside. I don't think all martial arts fit everybody types. Kempo works for heavier guys and girls.

[@johnhiser5627]

RDraGon2179 I've seen a lot of heavy people in bjj,and other arts.

[@RDraGon2179]

I have too. Grappling and boxing arts work well for a heavier person but doesn't mean they can't do an art like Taekwondo. I know I haven't seen many doing caporeia.