SPECIAL ASPECTS OF A.S.P.

By Dr. Evan S. Baltazzi

One of the main goals of A.S.P. is to be accessible to a great cross-section of people. Some of us are gifted with excellent reflexes and coordination while others are less so. For this reason, I have included in the first degree A.S.P. program at the beginners level some exercises that help the student to increase coordination and improve reflexes. At the same time he or she learns elemental motions such as pivoting, the gliding feet, leading with the hips, and in general, footwork that is part and parcel of body motion management.

To this effect I have selected some “before" techniques that is techniques that allow someone to avoid the brunt of an attack. Here is a selection, which however is not limiting. The instructor may devise his or her own techniques chosen in the same spirit.

1. Slapping Exercise:

For developing a sense of distance, direction, timing, and increasing the field of vision. Choose a partner and stand facing each other at such distance that your open palm can touch his cheek. Gently mean to slap him. He is supposed to evade your attack by looking through your chest to increase his field of vision, and bending back his torso without moving his feet. After dodging your attack he returns to the starting position. Continue to attempt to slap him first slowly, then with increasing speed. At first your attempts are predictable: right, left, right, left, then they become random like right, right, right, left, right, right, left, left, and so on.

2. C-Deflection:

Have a partner stand in front of you at arm’s length and let him try to reach your upper chest, for instance, with his left hand. As he is about to touch you deflect his extended arm with the area between the thumb and the index finger of your open right hand. Keep your bent arm at shoulder level as you pivot to your rear left on your right foot. Do not pivot more than at a right angle, keep your eyes on your partner and initiate your pivot from the hips. Your left foot describes a ninety degrees arc and comes to settle behind the right. Key element of motion: pivoting.

3. Elbow down and pivot:

Have your partner push you on the chest with both hands. At his push step back with your right foot, bend your right arm tight by your right side, elbow pointing down and pivot to your rear left as above.

4. Elbow up and pivot:

Your partner throws a left jab aimed at your chin. You deflect it raising your right elbow forearm parallel to your right side and elbow higher than your head, which you tuck in as you pivot to your rear left.

5. Sweep and pivot:

Your partner reaches for your belt with his left hand. As he is about to touch you, you sweep his reaching arm with your right forearm and you pivot to your rear left.

6. Stop swim and pivot:

Your partner is reaching to you with open arms as for a bear hug. Take one step back with your left foot and stop him with your extended arms hands clasped (not crossed fingers); indicate a strike against his sternum with the knuckle of the index finger. Then deflect his arms with a wide sweeping motion close to your body as for a swimming breaststroke, while pivoting to your left rear on your right foot as above.

7. Thrust, deflect, and pivot:

Your partner attacks with an overhead strike with his right hand. You thrust your right arm fully extended aiming just above your partner’s right ear as you take a long step to his right side with your left foot. This deflects his attack while you pivot to your rear right on your left foot to come near his right side.

8. Thrust, swim, and pivot:

Your partner chokes you with both hands against a wall. Join hands as for praying and thrust them upwards grazing your nose while at the same time you are bending your knees sliding against the wall. This will break the choke and you continue with a swimming motion as above while taking a step with the right foot and pivoting to your rear left.

9. Extend and pivot:

Your partner puts his arm around your waist. Extend both arms by your sides palms facing down and pivot on the foot nearest your attacker’s side to come behind him.

10. One elbow up and slide feet:

Your partner is on your left side and attempts to put his right arm around your neck or your shoulders. You lift sharply your left elbow fully bent, left thumb grazing your left side so that your elbow is thrust behind your partner’s arm. At the same time you tuck your head in as you slide your left foot behind him followed by the right foot. Key element of motion: sliding feet.

11. Two elbows up and slide:

Your partner is behind you and attempts a rear bear hug. Spread your legs wide as you lift sharply both elbows by your sides forearms perpendicular to the ground. Slide your right foot to the right in line with your partner’s feet followed by your left foot, then slide your left foot followed by the right ending thus behind your partner. Your feet describe a V lying on its side.

12. Slide and slash:

Your partner is on your right side and behind you and he grabs your upper right sleeve. Bringing your right hand at heart level, step back with the right foot as you drop your right arm to come from under around and behind your partner’s arm. Then lifting it high, slash down with your extended right arm grazing the inside of your partners’ attacking arm. At the same time take a side step with your left foot and bring the right foot against it. This slash and pull will break the grip.

Coordination Practice:

Also built into the basic program are motions specifically selected for improving one’s coordination. These have the appearance of exceptions to the usual defensive motions. Below are given a few examples. In all you will find the five principles with varied emphasis while training in essential elements of motion.

A. Reverse wrist grip on the same side. Step in with the foot opposite the grip.

B. Overhead attack. Slide one foot and extend the opposite arm (entering exercise).

C. One hand choke. Kick with the inside foot.

D. Front head lock. Drop on the knee on the side of the attack and turn head in the direction of the attacker.