Mr. Ed Parker Sr., the founder of American Kenpo, did write extensively about techniques and principles in his books. Though he didn’t always use the exact phrase "Methods of Execution" as a standalone list in the way they are an integral and important part of the AIK curriculum.

The term "Methods of Execution" in Kenpo typically refers to the various ways a technique or strike can be delivered. A Method of Execution essentially describes the "how" of executing movements and is part of the system’s broader technical vocabulary.

Grandmaster Parker’s writings and teachings emphasized adaptability, efficiency, and the mechanics of motion, which closely align with the concepts behind these striking methods.

The following is a comprehensive list of "Methods of Execution" that represents the diverse striking vocabulary in American Kenpo:

* Regarding Refrenced Techniques Names: Please refer to the Naming Convention page for a comprehensive explanation of the varying technique names.

Whipping

1. A fast, flexible strike mimicking a whip’s motion, using the hand or limb to snap into soft targets like the eyes or groin.

Example Technique*

• AIK - Countering Ram - Resource Page

• EPAKS - Five Swords

• Tracy Kenpo Systems - Five Swords

Example Comunication

Against a right punch, you step forward, block, and deliver a rapid, whipping outward hand-sword strike to the neck, snapping the hand into the target like a lash, often followed by additional strikes. The initial strike targets a soft area (neck) with flexibility and speed.

Slicing

1. A slashing strike with the edge of the hand or forearm, often a knife-hand targeting the neck or temple.

Example Technique*

• AIK - Chopping Falcon - Resource Page

• EPAKS - Sword & Hammer

• Tracy Kenpo Systems - NA

Example Comunication

Facing a shoulder grab, you pin the hand and execute a slicing outward hand-sword strike to the attacker’s neck with the edge of your hand, mimicking a slashing motion to a vital target.

Looping

1. A wide, arcing strike that loops around defenses, such as an overhand punch or swinging kick.

Example Technique*

• AIK - Clashing Oak - Resource Page

• EPAKS - Defying The Storm

• Tracy Kenpo Systems - Bending Reeds

Example Comunication

After the right knee to your opponent’s sternum, you circle your right arm in a counterclockwise circle and deliver a looping right inward overhead downward elbow to your opponent’s upper spine.

Hooking

1. A curved strike that hooks around the target, like a hook punch to the jaw or a hooking kick to the leg.

Example Technique*

• AIK - Southern Palms - Resource Page

• EPAKS - Hooking Wings

• Tracy Kenpo Systems - Sweeping Arm Hook

Example Comunication

As you left step back toward 6:00 into a right neutral bow stance, execute double hooking downward diagonal crane hand blocks to the inside of your opponent's wrists.

Roundhouse

1. A circular strike with the leg or arm, swung in an arc to hit with the shin or fist, targeting the head or ribs.

Example Technique*

• AIK - Chopping Horn - Resource Page

• EPAKS - Shield & Sword

• Tracy Kenpo Systems - Crossed Swords

Example Comunication

The final move in the technique when you deliver a right downward roundhouse kick to your opponent's right kidney.

Hammering

1. A forceful, downward strike resembling a hammer, typically a hammerfist or elbow to the head or collarbone.

Example Technique*

• AIK - Hammering Ram - Resource Page

• EPAKS - Thundering Hammers

• Tracy Kenpo Systems - Thundering Hammers

Example Comunication

Against a punch, you block and unleash a series of hammering strikes to the attacker’s stomach, kidney, and neck, delivering forceful, hammer-like blows to overwhelm them.

Thrusting

1. A driving strike executed in a straight or slightly ascending manner, such as a thrust kick or palm strike, aimed at penetrating vital areas like the chest.

2. A defensive block executed in a straight or slightly ascending manner, such as a thrusting inward block, initiates its trajectory in a low zone and concludes in a high zone.

Example Technique*

• AIK - Echoed Palms - Resource Page

• EPAKS - Thrusting Wedge

• Tracy Kenpo Systems - Crouching Falcon

Example Comunication

When you right step forward towards 12:00 between your opponent’s legs into a right forward bow stance, execute two thrusting upward forearm strikes using them as a wedge on the inside of the opponent’s arms and ending with thrusting claws to the opponents face and eyes.

Bonus Informaiton

This often has a depth connotation when kicking (e.g. AIK - Evading Lightning / EPAKS - Thrusting Salute) but a depth and height (rising) connotation when applied with the arms on strikes like palms and inward blocks (e.g. second inward block in all AIK first tier forms).

Snapping

1. A quick, recoiling strike, like a snap kick or jab, emphasizing speed and precision.

Example Technique*

• AIK - Countering Hawk - Resource Page

• EPAKS - Delayed Sword

• Tracy Kenpo Systems - Delayed Sword

Example Comunication

Slide your right foot back into a right cat stance then deliver a snapping front kick to your opponent’s groin.

Raking

1. A dragging horizontal strike using knuckles or fingers.

Example Technique*

• AIK - Northern Palm - Resource Page

• EPAKS - Glancing Salute

• Tracy Kenpo Systems - Rocker

Example Comunication

Execute a right inward raking claw across your opponent’s face (traveling from the left side to the right side of their face) ending with a right outward downward crane hand to the back of your opponent’s neck.

Scooping

1. A pulling or scooping motion, typically with the hand or foot, used to redirect an opponent’s limb or strike upward into the groin or chin.

Example Technique*

• AIK - Southern Lightning - Resource Page

• EPAKS - Retreating Pendulum

• Tracy Kenpo Systems - NA

Example Comunication

Execute a left gauging step towards your right leg then deliver a right back scooping kick to your opponent’s groin.

Chopping

1. A sharp, strike with the edge of the hand or forearm, similar to an axe chop, often targeting the neck or other vulnerable targets.

2. A strike that employs an angle and trajectory akin to that utilized when executing a knife hand chop.

Example Technique*

• AIK - Chopping Horn - Resource Page

• EPAKS - Shield & Sword

• Tracy Kenpo Systems - Crossed Swords

Example Comunication

Execute a left hooking check to your opponent’s left arm as you deliver a right inward chopping knife hand to the back of your opponent's neck.

Pounding

1. A heavy, repetitive strike delivered with the fist or elbow, designed to overwhelm the opponent through force, often to the body.

Quote from Mr. Pilch

"This one I don’t associate with techniques so much. In fact I don’t know if I have ever aligned it with anything specifically. I would think that the strikes in the Counter Strike Form at the outward blocks (section 2) would clarify as a series of pounding strikes though.”

Example Technique*

• AIK - Avoiding Restraints - Resource Page

• EPAKS - Menacing Twirl

• Tracy Kenpo Systems - NA

Example Comunication

If the opponent is still resistant after I deliver the final right horizontal inward elbow I would proceed to continue to deliver a series of pounding elbows with my right arm until they were no longer a threat.

Spearing

1. A piercing strike using extended fingers or a pointed weapon-like motion, aimed at soft targets like the throat or eyes.

Example Technique*

• AIK - Southern Claw - Resource Page

• EPAKS - Glancing Spear

• Tracy Kenpo Systems - Bending the Limb

Example Comunication

Deliver a right heel palm to your opponent’s right radial nerve followed immediately by a right spearing two-finger eye poke or right graduated spear hand to your opponent’s right eye.

Swinging

1. A wide, pendulum-like strike with the arm or leg, often used to generate momentum, such as a backfist or swinging heel kick.

Example Technique*

• AIK - Evading Thunder - Resource Page

• EPAKS - Swinging Pendulum

• Tracy Kenpo Systems - NA

Example Comunication

Deliver a right swinging back hammer fist to your opponent's groin.

Clawing

1. A gripping, tearing strike with the fingers curled, targeting the face or flesh to control or damage.

Example Technique*

• AIK - Clashing Ram - Resource Page

• EPAKS - Raining Claw

• Tracy Kenpo Systems - NA

Example Comunication

After defending the uppercut punch, palm heel strike to their face with your fingers in alignment for a claw driving into the eyes. Continue your striking motion by clawing downward with curled fingers across the attacker’s face, gripping and tearing to further disrupt their balance or vision.

Bracing

1. A strike or maneuver reinforced by stabilizing or anchoring the body or target, often using one limb to brace while another delivers force, maximizing power and control, e.g., pushing against the opponent while striking.

2. The concept behind this method of execution is fundamental and deeply embedded in the American Kenpo system despite not being explicitly named as bracing in Grandmaster Parker’s writings.

3. Power principles including Marriage of Gravity, Borrowed Force, and Backup Mass are leveraged in some form when the Bracing execution method is used.

Example Technique*

• AIK - Bracing Thunder - Resource Page

• EPAKS - Deceptive Panther

• Tracy Kenpo Systems - NA

Example Comunication

Left gauging step toward 3:00 into a right neutral bow stance (facing 9:00) as you execute a bracing universal or x-block (right hand high) against the inside of your opponent's right kicking leg.

Primary Sources

Let’s connect the Methods of Execution presented above to Grandmaster Parker’s work.

In his famous book series Infinite Insights into Kenpo (a five-volume series published between 1982 and 1987), Grandmaster Parker explores the principles of motion, including categories like "Methods of Execution." He doesn’t list them verbatim as "Whipping, Slicing, Looping," etc., in one tidy section but discusses them conceptually under topics like "Basic Fundamentals," "Paths of Execution," and "Weaponry of the Body." For example:

Volume 1 (Mental Stimulation)

• Introduces foundational ideas about how strikes are delivered.

Volume 2 (Physical Analyzation I)

• Details specific mechanics like thrusting, snapping, and hooking, tying them to body movement.

Volume 3 (Physical Analyzation II):

• Analyzes circular vs. linear strikes, covering looping, roundhouse, and thrusting.

• Technique names (e.g., "Snapping Twig", "Swinging Pendulum", “Raking Mace”, “Hooking Wings”, etc.) often imply the execution method used.

In Secrets of Chinese Karate (1963), Grandmaster Parker describes techniques derived from his early influences, including whipping and chopping motions rooted in Chinese martial arts.

Terminology and Codification

Grandmaster Parker often broke down techniques into components like "Path," "Angle," and "Method." The "Methods of Execution" we discuss above, e.g., Whipping, Hooking, Hammering, etc. are practical applications of these ideas, taught in Kenpo schools and traceable to his curriculum. While he may not have published a single definitive list titled "Methods of Execution," these terms emerged from his system and were formalized through his students and instructors in their own technique manuals or belt testing requirements.

Evolution Through Teaching

Grandmaster Ed Parker designed American Kenpo to be highly dynamic and adaptable, emphasizing evolution over stagnation. He primarily taught through seminars, oral instruction, and live demonstrations rather than rigid, written documentation. After his passing in 1990, senior students like Larry Tatum and Frank Trejo built upon his frameworks, codifying key concepts into their own works. Posthumous publications, such as The Encyclopedia of Kenpo, further cataloged these essential elements of Parker’s Kenpo system.

~ The data presented herein was compiled by AIK Black Belt Oleg Cohen in March 2025.