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Naming Convention

Mr. Pilch has studied various branches of Kenpo, each employing a naming convention to facilitate the recall of structured information. The American Institute of Kenpo (AIK), like all branches of Kenpo, has also adopted a naming convention.

The naming convention employed by the American Institute of Kenpo (AIK) comprises two distinct components for each name. The first component describes the practitioner’s action, designated as the Defense Category Keywords. The second component describes the attacker’s action, labeled as the Attack Category Keywords. In instances involving multiple attacks or opponents, additional words are incorporated to reflect the heightened complexity of the situation.

Mr. Pilch has compiled a Kenpo Naming Convention Comparison Spreadsheet, which encompasses the following naming conventions:

 

The American Institute of Kenpo (AIK):

The current naming convention utilized by AIK.

 

Ed Parker American Kenpo Systems (EPAKS):

The current naming convention employed by EPAKS. This system is subject to copyright protection, and all rights are reserved by the Parker Family.

 

Tracy Kenpo Systems:

The current naming convention employed by Tracy Kenpo Systems.

 

American Kenpo Karate Association (AKKA Karate USA):

The naming convention utilized by AKKA Karate USA during its tenure under Bill Packer’s leadership. This convention is a derivative of the Tracy Kenpo Systems. This was the organization from which Mr. Pilch commenced his Kenpo journey.

 

Note

  • The top section of all Manual and Video Resources contains an expand button that allows you to view these comparisons as well.

  • You can also find a direct comparison of these Historical Names in the Student Resource Library under.

  • While the techniques listed in the Kenpo Naming Convention Spreadsheet exhibit similarities, they also possess notable differences. If you are aware of any names that require correction, please inform us via email, and we will promptly evaluate and update the spreadsheet as necessary.

 

~ Last Updated 3/27/2025

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Kenpo Naming Convention Comparison Spreadsheet

Please download the Kenpo Naming Convention Comparison Spreadsheet from the following link:

Historical Names

To facilitate the study of other Kenpo branches, Mr. Pilch has organized all our resources under their respective historical names.

AIK Naming Convention Quizlet

Mrs. Trujillo has created a Quizlet to help students learn the naming convention

Defense Category Keywords

The Defensive Category Keywords are categorized into themes. Each theme is preceded by a concise description, followed by the keywords and their respective descriptions.

 

Engagement Methods: The primary method used to gain and advantage in an engagement.

  • Clashing: Meet force with force

  • Clutching: Pin the hand

  • Countering: Retaliate, a series of rapid strikes

  • Dominating: To gain control of the opponent

  • Echoed: Retaliate with a similar attack

  • Entwined: Two-handed wrapping hold

  • Escaping: To break free (or to lose your grip)

  • Raking: To chamber or strike past our centerline

  • Redirected: To guide off center

  • Resisting: To stop before fully locked

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Strategic Repositioning: The use of an advantageous position change to gain a tactical advantage.

  • Ascending: Upward maneuver

  • Circling: To maneuver over or on top of

  • Crossed: A maneuver that crosses

  • Descending: Downward maneuver

  • Rotating: A turning maneuver

 

Tactical Movements: The words in this category are used to describe the initial movement direction of the technique.

  • Avoiding: Moving back to left rear quadrant

  • Eastern: Moving to right front quadrant

  • Evading: Moving back to right rear quadrant

  • Northern: Moving forward

  • Southern: Moving back

  • Western: Moving to left front quadrant

 

Takedowns: The use of a partial or full takedown.

  • Grounded: Full take-down from the front

  • Rooted: Buckling maneuver, potential takedown

  • Tripping: Full takedown from the back

 

Tools: The primary strike, block, or manipulation method used to gain the tactical advantage.

  • Bracing: To use an X-block

  • Broken: To break or hyperextend a limb

  • Chopping: To use knife hand strikes

  • Crushing: To grab or impact with tremendous force and intention

  • Hammering: To strike with a hammer fist

  • Leveraged: To use a fulcrum

  • Shielding: To use an outward block

  • Strangling: To apply a chokehold

 

Two Person: Describes a situation with more than one attacker.

  • Courting: Stationary two person attack

  • Escorting: Moving two person attack

Attack Category Keywords

Similarly, The Attack Category Keywords are organized based on attack types. Each attack type is preceded by a brief description, followed by the keywords and their descriptions.

 

Grab & Tackle - The initial action or attempt to gain control.

  • Claw: One-handed grab to the wrist

  • Eagles: Two-handed body grab from the front

  • Falcon: One-handed grab from the flank

  • Hawk: One-handed body grab from the front

  • Rage: Tackle

  • Talons: Two-handed grab to the wrist or wrists

 

Hold & Hug - Controlling and motion restricting attack that does not depend on pain compliance.

  • Bear: Bearhug

  • Honor: Handshake

  • Restraints: Hold from the back

  • Surrender: Full nelson

 

Kick - A striking action using the leg or foot.

  • Lightning: Linear kick

  • Thunder: Rotational kick

 

Lock & Choke - A controlling and motion restricting attack that does depend on pain compliance.

  • Death: Two-handed choke

  • Guard: Lock from the back

  • Vice: Head lock or forearm choke

  • Vine: Lock to the wrist

 

Punch - A striking action using the knuckles.

  • Doom: Punch imminent form behind

  • Horn: Left hand punch

  • Ram: Right hand punch

 

Push - A forceful, shoving action.

  • Danger: Push that forces a break fall

  • Palm: One-handed push

  • Palms: Two-handed push

 

Weapon - An attack employing a weapon.

  • Fire: Gun

  • Oak: Club

  • Steel: Knife

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