 |
White Tiger Kenpo "The Peace of the Open Palm, Balanced by a Well Formed Fist." Shihan Jim Rathbone copyrighted© 1993 |
The White Tiger system has over 600 techniques from yellow through Black. We cover almost all possible situations you can get yourself into.
The Diploma is your actual rank Anyone can buy a belt - you must earn your diploma
Yellow Belt
Yellow Belt Saying: When Two Tigers fight, one is Killed and the other is wounded.
| Attacking the Circle ABC | Stop Hit ABCDE |
| Chinese Sword AB | Delayed Sword AB |
| Knee of Vengeance | Fang of the Cobra |
| Twisting Talon ABCD | Returning Dragon |
| Breaking the Sword AB | Kenpo Shield AB |
| Japanese Strangle Hold AB | Returning Dragon |
| Driving Elbow | Crossing Guard |
| Circling Thorn | Windmill Guard ABC |
| Scooping the Kick ABCD | Dancer ABC |
| Opponents at Sides ABCD | Returning Serpent |
Kicks |
Blocks |
Stance |
Locks |
Front Snap Kick |
Inward Block |
Attention Stance |
Outside Wrist Lock |
Side Snap Kick |
Scissor Block |
Softbow |
Inside Wrist Lock |
Back Kick |
Upward Block |
Hardbow |
|
Front Kick Back Kick |
Extended Outward Block |
Horse Stance |
|
Side Thrust Kick |
|
Cat Stance |
|
Step Wheel Kick |
|
Dance Step |
|
Turning Back Kick |
|
|
|
Round House Kick |
|
|
|
Forward Leg Wheel Kick |
|
|
|
Crossing Back Kick |
|
|
|
Note: All of the Kenpo Techniques have been given names to simplify teaching as well as learning the techniques.
Words of Wisdom
Most commonly the authority of them that teach hinders them that would learn.
Orange Belt
Orange belt saying: The WAY is in training....do Nothing which is not of value
Orange belt is designed to teach you how to handle an opponent when they grab you.
| Sumo | Breaking The Cross |
Headlock ABC |
Aiming The Spear |
Crash of the Eagles ABCDE |
Raising The Staff AB |
Grasping Talon AB |
Rocking Elbow |
Tackle Technique ABCD |
Reverse Hammerlock AB |
Passing The Horizon AB |
Anvil ABCD |
Kimono Grab ABCD |
Knee Lift |
Lever ABC |
Crane Leap ABCD |
Crashing Elbows AB |
Leg Pull |
Heel Hook AB |
Chokes ABCDE |
Bending The Sword |
Wrist Down Turn |
Bridge AB |
Trapping The Serpent |
Eagle Beak ABC |
Single Leg Take down |
Front Bear Hug ABCDE |
Outside Leg Reap |
| Simitar | Checking The Serpent |
Kata |
Drills |
Jujits/Ground Techniques |
Falls and Rolls |
Sweeps, Reaps, Throws |
Short 1 |
4 Corner Drill Stage 1 |
Forward Leg Arm Bar |
Front Fall |
Outside Leg Reap |
|
Trapping Drill Stage 1 |
Figure 4 Lock w/take down |
Back Fall |
Inside Leg Reap |
|
|
Standing Armbar |
Side Fall |
Single Leg Take down |
|
|
|
Forward roll |
Rear Level Throw |
Words of Wisdom
Thrice is he armed that hath his quarrel just. But four times he that gets his blow in first.
Purple Belt
Purple Belt saying: Like a cobra, your strike should be felt before it is seen.
| Striking Mace | Kung Fu Cross |
| Crossing Talon ABC | Divided Swords AB |
| Circling Elbows AB | Gift |
| Locking Arm AB | Opening Cowl AB |
| The Blitz ABC | Slicing Dragon |
| Spiraling Wrist ABC | Ascending To Heaven |
| Crash of the Eagles A-I | Raising The Sword AB |
| Encircling Arms ABCD | Arm Hook AB |
| Rising Elbow | Crossing The Sun ABC |
| Guarding The Wall | Attack from the Temple AB |
| Eagle Pin | Bowing To Buddha AB |
| Striking Fang AB | Dart |
| Shackle Break ABC | Covering Talon AB |
| Drawbridge AB | Wing Break ABCD |
| Full Nelson | “U” Punch AB |
Kata |
Drills |
Jujits/Ground Tech |
Falls and Rolls |
Sweeps, Reaps, Throws |
Short 2 |
4 Corner Drill Stage 2 |
Neck Stock |
Forward Roll Slap Out |
Hip Throw |
Long 1 |
Trapping Drill Stage 2 |
Cross Body Arm Bar |
Jump Roll |
Shoulder Throw |
|
|
Standing Scissor Lock |
|
Head Turn Throw |
|
|
Goose Neck Lock |
|
|
Words of Wisdom
Beware of entrance to a quarrel, but, being in, bear't that the opposed may beware of thee.
Blue Belt
Blue Belt Saying: Sometimes to walk the path, you must kill the snake.
| Evading The Storm | Spinning From The Sun AB |
| Bridging the Gap | Folding Wings |
| Advancing Phoenix AB | Vise |
| Two Headed Serpent AB | Dancing With The Flame AB |
| Reversing Grasp AB | Stretching The Bow ABC |
| Reaching For The Moon AB | Arcing Blades AB |
| Flashing Daggers ABC | Circle Of China |
| Bending The Limb AB | Calming The Storm |
| Wrap Around ABC | Returning Thunder |
| Crouching Falcon | Chokes ABCDE |
| Darting Serpent | The Serpent |
| Silk Wind | Broken Staff |
| Capturing The Leaves | Circling Serpent AB |
| Crossing The Lock AB | Chinese “L” Choke AB |
| Darkness AB | 5 Swords AB |
Kata |
Drills |
Jujits/Ground Tech |
Sweeps, Reaps, Throws |
Short 3 |
4 Corner Drill Stage 3 |
Figure 4 Arm Bar |
Leg Lock Take down |
Long 2 |
Trapping Drill Stage 3 |
Cross Body Arm Bar Standing |
Shoulder Throw |
|
|
Reverse Hammerlock |
Head Hip Throw |
Words of Wisdom
If the red slayer think he slays, Or if the slain think he is slain, They know now well the subtle ways I keep, and pass, and turn again.
Green Belt
Green Belt Saying: Use reason not emotion, anger often hides deceit
| Prayer Of The Dragon | Sowing The Seeds AB |
| Turning The Key AB | Flashing Wings |
| The Butterfly AB | Parting The Waves AB |
| Whirling Warrior ABC | Winding Limbs ABC |
| Flowing Hands | Brushing Wind |
| Whirling Blades AB | Thundering Hammers |
| Whirlwind | Checking The Tide |
| Crossing Hammers AB | Crossing The Mountain |
| Two Man Swinging Gate | Whirling Leaves ABC |
| Shogun AB | Sweeping Wings |
| Knee Sweep | Kneeling Tiger |
| Kung Fu Wrist AB | The Lotus |
| Stone Warrior AB | Attacking The Wall AB |
| Praying Mantis AB | 7 Swords |
| Drums Of Manchu | Reversing Hammers |
Kata |
Jujits/Ground Tech |
Ground Locks |
Mass Attacks |
Cross Body Armbar w/ Choke |
V Lock |
Short 4 |
Knife Edge Arm Bar |
Arm Bar |
|
Chicken Wing |
Pillow Arm Lock |
|
|
Telephone |
Mass Attack: is the #2 winning Kenpo Kata in the United States, for years it was #1, now dethroned by the Tiger and Crane. Feel free to modify this Kata for competition. This Kata was developed as a competition Kata to be modified by each individual to best show off his/her ability and best movements.
Words of Wisdom
I kill only when they attack me
3rd Brown Belt
3rd Brown Belt saying: The display of anger seldom achieves the desire goal
| Spinning Hammers | Eagles Talon |
| Dance Of Death AB | Crossing Darts |
| Leap Of Death | Bending The Staff |
| Miss Of The Leap ABC | Dropping The Staff AB |
| Eagle Claw | The Escape ABC |
| Eagle Miss | Uncovering The Flame AB |
| Foot Rake | Opening The Fan AB |
| Sleeper AB | Double Blades |
| Startled Cat AB | Clawing Panther AB |
| Manchurian Take down A B | Wind Storm AB |
| Shoalin Warrior AB | 3 Winds Claw |
| Springing Tiger AB | 3 Winds Fist |
| Raking The Ground | Chinese Cobra AB |
| Slicing Knee | Spider Captures Its Prey |
| Beggar Points The Way | Taming The Cobra |
Kata |
Dark Room Staff |
Long 4 |
Dark Room Staff: Is a good solid introduction to the staff ("bo") as a weapon, it contains many of the stances, spins, and hand exchanges that will be needed in later staff Kata. A set that can be used by beginners for early weapon competition. Even at Black Belt level if done properly, with power and focus, this set can be used in competition against any classical weapon Kata! Trophies have been won at all levels with this set.
Long 4: This is the most request Kata out of the Kenpo system (except Tiger and Crane) than any other Kata.
It takes 2 minutes and 40 seconds (on the average) to perform the Kata, and almost three hours to show you how to do it! This is a classic Kenpo Kata. It is Ed Parker's masterpiece, that was developed in the early 1960's. If you perfect only one Kenpo Kata, let it be this one.
Words of Wisdom:
It would grieve me to kill you, But you are really very much in my way.
2nd Brown Belt
2nd Brown Belt saying: Imagination is the first building block of reality.
| The Bladed Gift | The Dragon Flicks Its Tongue |
| Rocker ABC | Reversing The Cobra |
| Circling The Sun AB | Covering The Flame AB |
| Leveling The Clouds | Cobra & The Mongoose AB |
| Broken Wing | The Crane Stretches Its Wings |
| Catching The Dragons Tail | Dance Of The Mongoose AB |
| Monkey Elbow | Offers Of Dust AB |
| Striking Asp | Ming's Sword AB |
| Dragon Whips Its Tail | Chinese Fan |
| Pushing The Circle | Locking The Gate AB |
| Circles Of Glass | Circle Of Fire |
| Japanese Hands AB | Circle Of Steel |
| Waterwheel | Hands Of Death |
| Tumbling Clouds | Moment Of Truth |
| Soaring Hawk | Falling Circle |
Kata |
Skylight Staff |
Bookset (Panther Set) |
Panther Set (Book Set): The nickname "Book Set" comes from the fact it was meant to be the Kata featured in Ed Parker's book, Secrets of Chinese Kenpo. Because of the problems that developed between Ed Parker and James Wing Woo (the man who had been helping with the book) this set was removed and replaced with Two Man Set, also known as the Black Belt Set (This is set is not part of our system) because in the early days of Kenpo it was the most advanced set taught as a requirement for Black Belt!
Skylight Staff: Formerly #2 Staff Set teaches you to develop power with the staff and teaches full length use of the staff to develop reach and power. Done properly it is as powerful as any set out there. While it has classical Chinese applications it can stand on its own against any hard style weapons. Skylight staff is a power set that can be used in any competition when you must complete against traditional Japanese and Okinawan staff sets.
Words of Wisdom:
I weigh the man not his title; 'tis not the kings stamp can make metal better or heavier.
1st Brown
1st Brown Belt saying: When there is freedom from mechanical conditioning, there is simplicity.
| Evasion Of The Dragon | Dancing Dragon |
| Bowing To The Dragon | Capturing The Wind |
| The Dragons Hammer | Swinging Pendulum |
| The Dagger AB | Twisting Staves |
| The Mantis | Guiding The Staff |
| Dancing Mantis | Cyclone |
| Sticks Of Satin AB | Double Spear ABCD |
| Vipers Coil | Destructive Wind |
| Advancing Hammers | Whirling Thorn AB |
| Sweeping Arm Hook | Thunder In Darkness |
| Snapping The Twig | Advancing Storm AB |
| Braking The Yoke | Attacking Mantis |
| Prayer Of Death | Dance Of The Dragon |
| Caught In The Nettles | Praying At The Wall |
| Crane Defends Its Nest | Dance Of The Crane |
Kata |
Tiger and Crane |
|
|
Tiger and Crane: There has been some misunderstanding about the use of the Tiger and Crane as a Kenpo set. Professor William K.S Chow, the co-founder (along with James Mitose) of the style we call Kenpo, was originally trained by his father (Hoon "Hun" Chow) in the Classical Chinese martial arts - namely "Hung Gur". The Tiger and Crane (Fu Hook Seung Ying) is the definitive form of the Hung Gar system containing all the complete self defense hand movements of the system. The Tiger and Crane is the bridge between the system we have now and the original system that Professor Chow learned and passed on the Ed Parker. Ed in turn, introduced the Kenpo taught to him by Professor Chow to the United States. For this reason it is continued to be taught as part of the modern Kenpo system. This Kata keeps us aware of the one origin of our art. The American Kenpo system no longer teaches this Kata.
Done properly the Tiger section of the Tiger and Crane is on of the most beautiful and powerful of all Kata. For this reason it is possible to get high scores in competition even from Japanese or Korean judges.
Tiger and Crane (only the Tiger section is performed) is the #1 winning Kenpo Kata in the United States. If you want to develop one winning Kata for competition, this is it.
Words of Wisdom:
Indifferent to pleasure and pain, to gain and loss, to conquest and defeat. Thus make ready for the fight.
Black Belt
Black Belt Saying: The peace of the open palm, Balanced by a well formed fist.
| Chinese Pincers AB | Corkscrew |
| Crossing Hooks | Falling Hammers |
| Turning The Flame AB | The Whip |
| Stopping The Staff | Winding Elbows |
| Twisting Vines | Twisting Serpent |
| Breaking The Staves | Chopping The Log |
| Hands Of Jade | Falling Tree |
| Spinning Log | The Python |
| Lever Of Ming | Calming The Waves |
| The Lion AB | The Monk And The Tiger |
| Double Lance | Tiger Corners its Prey |
| Flashing Of The Tigers Claw | Turning From The Beggar |
| Returning Fist | 4 Fist |
| Falling Blades | Advancing Dragon AB |
| Crossing Swords | Vengeance From Above |
Words of wisdom
A teacher is like a needle, and his pupils are like thread. If the teacher is wrong, his pupils are bond to be wrong. The thread follows wherever the needle guides.
2nd Degree Black Belt
You must wait 2 years from you Black Belt test before testing for 2nd.
2nd Black is follow ups to your Yellow, Orange and Purple belt as well as introducing new concepts
| Stop Hit ACD | Lever |
| Chinese Sword AB | Raising the Staff |
| Trapping the Sword AB | Striking Fang |
| Knee of Vengeance | Dart |
| Twisting Talon ABC | Trapping the Sword |
| Spider Spins its web | Wings of Devastation |
| Windmill Guard A | Circling Blades |
| Kung Fu Cross | Dropping the Sword |
| Typhoon | Falling Dragon |
| Double Headed Dragon | Attack from the Temple |
| Gift | Brush with Death |
| Avenging Swords | Twirling Wings |
| Reversing Hammers | Arm Hook |
| Crane Leap | Striking Mace |
| Crashing Elbows | Japanese Strangle Hold |
3rd Degree Black Belt
To qualify for 3rd Black it must have been at least 2 years since your 2nd Black Belt test.
3rd Black introduces the student to 15 basic knife initiation moves in which case the student will need to finish up the move as well as 15 self - defense techniques that introduce the student to new concepts
15 Knife Technique |
15 Self Defense Techniques |
| Evading the Lance | Battering Ram |
| Raining Lance | Encounter with Danger |
| Avoiding the Serpents Thorn | Detour from Doom |
| Sheltering Lance | Leap from Danger |
| Crossing Lance | Shields of Iron |
| Lances | The Weave |
| Falling Lance | Falling from the Clouds |
| Defanging the Snake | Striking Daggers |
| Dancing Thorn | Capturing the Serpent |
| Slashing Thorn | Serpent Coils its Prey |
| Shielding Lance | Changing Wind |
| Snake Avoids the Mongoose | Reversing the Serpent |
| Snake Strikes the Mongoose | Tails of the Serpent |
| Shield and Sword | The Beggar |
| Twisting Lance | Scorpion Sting |
4th Degree Black Belt
To qualify for 4th Black Belt you must have:
- Have Instructors Permission
- Been at least 3 years from the date of your 3rd Black Belt test
- you have created 30 self defense techniques
- You must have created a 20 technique Kata of your own
- You must be able to demonstrate all 30 self defense techniques at full speed and power on an opponent
- You must be able to explain and demonstrate your Kata
5th Degree Black Belt
Must have been at least 3 years since your 4th Black Belt test and you must be able to demonstrate your choice of a weapons form either Stick, Knife or Sword. The student must also be able to demonstrate the application of the form.
6th Degree Black Belt
Must have been at least 3 years since you were awarded your 5th Black and have contributed something back to the art.
7th Degree Black Belt
Must have been at least 4 years since you were awarded your 5th Black and have contributed something back to the art.
8th Degree Black Belt
Must have been at least 5 years since you were awarded your 5th Black and have contributed something back to the art.
9th Degree Black Belt
Must have been at least 6 years since you were awarded your 5th Black and have contributed something back to the art.
10th Degree Black Belt
Reserved from Grandmaster of the system, in this case Grandmaster Jim Rathbone
Kenpo Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
More Great Kenpo Links
- Kenpo Books and Videos
- Kenpo Terms
- Kenpo Technique Catalog
- Kenpo FAQ's
- Kenpo Family Tree
- 2007 Commercial
- 1993 Commercial from Tulsa OK