Green Belt 2nd tip

The first of the staff forms in the Griffon program combines the 'Walking through the jungle' idea with the 'Bracing against the storm.' This combined with many twists and pivots of the body and feet allow for a completely different form than what has been taught before. The staff tricks are those used in the Little Monkeys and the staff specialisation class which is why those who have completed wither of those programs find it easier to pick this form up than say someone who is just starting with the staff.
When training keep particular attention on your:
- Sequence
- Posture
- Attitude
- Eyes
- Staff arcs and facings

Griffon Main Page

Staff Tricks

Lessons

Terms and Notes

Good place
The Good Place refers to that place where your legs are at the appropriate distance apart while you are standing preparing to do your kick combination. At this level both sides of the hips are forward which will allow you to kick as you please.

Palm height
When lining up the palm in front of you when you are doing your combinations; remember that you are hitting with the bottom part of the palms. This means that they should look as though they are angles up slightly when you are striking.

Striking
Make your strikes strong and focused with everything behind them but always remember to keep your focus, your eyes, your targets in mind and not to snap your joints. If you keep these things in mind and train them well you will be able to make your uniform sing.

Outside-crescent kick







Side kick

The front kick circles from the heel to the back of the leg to the raising of the knee and then releases through the foot.

The Outside-crescent kick circles the same as the front kick and releases the same way.
The part of the foot you use is the outside of the heel/blade of the foot.
Make sure that when you bring your knee up to kick that you don't let the knee extend past 45 degrees in front of the inside and outside of the hip otherwise you will drag your kick and cause yourself hip troubles.


The side kick sets itself up like the front kick and then combines the pivot step of the round-house to then allow you to thrust forward with the heel.
This kick used the heel with no foot flex to strike any forward facing part of the body

Outside-crescent 1st combination
- Back straight, elbows in & knees bent
- Feet should be in 'Good Place'
- Leading hand palms
- Back hand palm
- Back leg kicks
For the kick: turn leading foot open slightly, raise knee forward and to the inside, keep hips level then kick, bend knee and return to good place
Order for kick: good place - knee - kick- knee- step back down into 1st good place.
Palms are to move towards the head balloon and should look like they are going up slightly.

Outside-crescent 2nd combination
- Back straight, elbows in & knees bent
- Feet should be in 'Good Place'
- Back leg kicks and steps forward
- Leading hand palms
- Back hand palm then step back
Order for kick: good place - knee - kick- knee- step forward & down into good place then step back to original good place.
Palms are to move towards the head balloon and should look like they are going up slightly.

Side kick 1st combination
- Back straight, elbows in & knees bent
- Feet should be in 'Good Place'
- Leading hand palms
- Back hand palm
- Back leg kicks
For the kick: turn leading foot open slightly, raise knee forward, pivot with the support foot turning your body sideways- then thrust out with the heel, bend knee and return to good place
Order for kick: good place - knee - kick- knee- step back down into 1st good place.
Palms are to move towards the head balloon and should look like they are going up slightly.

Side kick 2nd combination
- Back straight, elbows in & knees bent
- Feet should be in 'Good Place'
- Back leg kicks
- Leading hand palms
- Back hand palm
For the kick: turn leading foot open slightly, raise knee forward, pivot with the support foot turning your body sideways- then thrust out with the heel, bend knee and return to good place
Order for kick: good place - knee - kick- knee- step forward and down into good place then step back into original good place.
Palms are to move towards the head balloon and should look like they are going up slightly.

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The first staff form follows the same floor plan as the 2 previous forms.
Step 1.  - Begin in Start position with the staff to your side-
Right hand slides down and left reaches over to grab the staff in 3rds grip palms down. Step out with the left foot into a middle/low horse form
Step 2. - Bring your left foot back to your right and keep your knees bent. Left hand to the right shoulder pit and the right hand is by your side. - This should mimic the empty hand version used in the Green belt form-
Eyes move to the left as you step out with the left leg into a forward stance. While you do this your right arm pushes the staff across horizontally (Middle) then the left arm strikes downwards (Low)
Step 3. - Step forward and with right arm strike down at head height (High). Step up with the left foot and pivot so that you face the starting direction with right hand at left shoulder pit and right by your side. 
Ste 4-5. - Repeat steps 2 to 3 but change sides
Step 6. - Cross the staff on your right side as you step your left leg back an around to face the start direction in a forward stance - continue the arc of the staff by stepping forward again with the right up to being parallel with the left facing to the left and perform a number 4 staff trick to the left.
Step 7. - As you step around slide out the left leg into a strong forward stance and do a right Middle then left Low strike.
Step 8. - Step forward right side High strike
Step 9. - Step forward with the left leg and do staff trick 4 to the right.
Step 10. - As you step around slide out the right leg into a strong forward stance and do a left Middle then right Low strike.
Step 11. - Step forward with the left leg with a High strike
Step 12. - Slide the right hand up to the middle of the staff as you step up with your right leg parallel with your left. Lift the staff over your head begin a number 5 staff trick but then as the staff comes down to your left side step your left leg around behind you, pivoting the whole body so that your left side is now facing the start direction, the staff continues to the left side of your body as you palm forward with your right palm.
Step 13. - Outside-crescent with the right leg clapping the right palm and step it back. As you do so move the body into a left leg forward toe stance (Most of the weight is on the back leg with very little on the bent forward leg. The heel is lifted off of the ground). As this happens roll the staff around the torso to the right side while the left palm moves up and twists to be palm up with fingertips at eye height.

Step 14. - Press forward with the right hand with a palm as you step the left leg out into a forward stance and bring the staff forward. Step up with the right leg and pivot so that both fee are facing the start direction. Raise the staff up and across your head and the left hand grabs the staff at approximately where your right elbow is (you should be forming a rough quarter staff grip). Spin the left leg all the way around into a forward stance with your left to the start direction and bring the staff down in an over head strike.
Step 15. - Slide your left hand up to the middle of the staff and let go with your right. Turn to face the direction you just came in and point. Step that way with your left leg while bringing the staff up to do a staff trick number 7. Only take 2 steps instead of the usual 3 so that you finish with your right leg forward, the staff on your right and the left hand palming.
Step 16-17. - Repeat steps 13 and 14 though changing sides.
Step 18. - Slide the left hand down to the right making a double hand long grip and step around with the left leg so that your back is facing the start direction. Step forward with the right leg and uppercut with the staff then repeat on the left.
Step 19. -Step the left leg up parallel with your right and pivot so that your right side is facing the start direction while continuing the arc of your 2nd uppercut. As the staff points to the sky turn your eyes to the start direction, let the staff continue on to your right, raise the right knee and then drop into a lv2 snake (low stance) - at the same time the hands slide open as the staff strikes the ground. The staff should be parallel to your legs and body. Lung up and forward into a Very low forward stance and stab forward.
Step 20. - Let go with the left hand and step up with the right parallel with the left as you pivot so that your left side is facing the start direction. As you do so tuck the staff under your right shoulder. When your feet reach this position then grab the staff with your left hand just above the right.
Slide your left leg around as you do the 2 steps of the 7th staff trick, as you do move your left arm out, up and around . When you are preparing to step forward with the right leg to complete the two steps the right hand grabs the staff at the quarter staff point and strikes downwards as you complete the step.
You should now be facing the start direction in a right leg forward stand with hands in a quarterstaff grip with the right hand leading. The right palm should be 'up' and the left 'down' and facing your body.
Step 21. - Slide the staff back through the right hand by pulling back with the left arm. Raise the knee to meet the still extended right hand. As you do so twist 180 degrees to your right. Place your right foot down into a middle stance and stab forward chest height using your left arm to thrust the staff forward.
Step 22. - Slide the left hand down as you step forward with the left leg and crouch down while pressing the staff forward.
Step 23. - Raise up and step the right leg into a toe stance while sliding and crossing the staff under the right arm
Step 24. - Step down onto the right foot and open up the staff as you spin around with the left leg 270 degrees so that you step down into a strong forward stance. Your right side should be facing the start direction and the hands in approximately a quarter staff grip. While you do this your right arm pushes the staff across horizontally (Middle) then the left arm strikes downwards (Low)
Step 25 -27. - Do steps 3, 4 and 5
Step 28. - Cross the staff on the right side and sweep it by your left leg as you step the left leg back around to parallel with your right foot, pivoting so that you are now facing the start direction. End the staff movement when it is open in front of you.
Step 29. - Step forward with the right leg and 'present sword'.
Step 30. - Step back with the right leg, leg go with the left hand and return to start  position.