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From Ted Sumner's forum:
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Here is a general overview of the nature and modality of the fighting styles of the Five Animals of Kenpo. Hope this helps.
DRAGON
Most effective against: The Tiger
Most vulnerable against: The Panther
The Dragon is a primarily defensive animal and the strategy of the
Dragon deals with the yielding to and redirecting of force used against
it. The simplest application of Dragon strategy is to move out of the
way as executed in the Total Evasion discipline. A War Art application
of Dragon strategy would be judicious use of critical distance. That is
to position just within the range of your opponent offering an apparent
target. As the attack is committed the Dragon enjoins and directs or
redirects the force in a different or merely exaggerated direction
increasing the intensity, angle speed of the movement.
TIGER
Most effective against: The Crane
Most vulnerable against: The Dragon
The Tiger is an intelligent powerful animal that reacts to any threat
with an offensive effort. The strategy of the Tiger is to skillfully
apply a superlatively balanced attack consisting of powerful kicks,
handstrikes and blocks. The Tiger will move relentlessly down the
center attacking the opponents most vulnerable and vital parts and
prefers to meet force with greater force. The Tiger might well embrace
the Kenpo credo every block a strike, every strike a block.
CRANE
Most effective against: The Serpent
Most vulnerable against: The Tiger
The Crane, like the Dragon, is a docile animal that uses force only
in cause of self defense and applies the a an very defensive modality.
The Crane will rise up and open its wings to give an illusion of
greater size and then strike with the beak to a vital target as soon as
the opponent is within critical distance. The Crane uses its ability
to strike long range to compensate for its lack of ability to
overpower its opponent. The use of long range kicks, such as the rear
kick, rear thrust and front thrust are examples of a Crane strategy.
Once its critical distance has been compromised the Crane will respond
with a fusillade of strikes with the wings claws and beak. Much like
what Kenpo styles do with fists, fingers, elbow, knee and teeth. Once
the opponent is disabled, injured or put on the defensive the Crane
will reacquire its critical distance.
SERPENT
Most effective against: The Panther
Most vulnerable against: The Crane
The Serpent, like the Tiger moves down the center and targets the
most vital targets in order to accomplish the most damage to the
opponent with each strike. The Serpent will, however, take hold of its
opponent and wrap around him in order to constrict and suffocate the
opponent into unconsciousness or death. The Serpent is most vulnerable
once it crosses into critical distance and must close quickly with its
opponent in order to neutralize long-range defensive strikes. Once
engaged with the opponent the Serpent is fully committed to that
struggle and incapable of dealing with multiple attackers.
PANTHER
Strongest against: The Dragon
Most vulnerable against: The Snake
The Panther, like the Serpent, is employs an offensive strategy in
combat. The Panther uses its apparently blinding speed coupled with a
continuous recombination of complimentary lines and angles to mesmerize
its opponent with continuous strikes that seem to come from
everywhere. Much like the Kenpo missile attack strategy, the Panther
never relies on a single strike to necessarily settle the matter. The
Panther is both ambidextrous and highly mobile, moving in and out of
critical distance striking at will. The Panther however, lacking the
strength of the Tiger, does not do well once it has been taken to the
ground and its mobility and striking skill and speed has been
compromised.
Ted |
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Five Animals of Kenpo