Pazzaglia"s American Kenpo & Karate

05/21/2026

The "KENPO SLAP" taught a seminar on this recently in New Hamshire and broke it down for those who may not fully understand..

Here is a more in depth explanation!!

Why do Kenpo practitioners “Slap” themselves?
Here is a summary of a more comprehensive writing of mine from some time ago. Perhaps this may shed a bit more light on the subject. This summation, however, in no way encompasses the entirety of the subject .
This is just a few of the things covered when one begins to actually digest the “slaps” that occur in American Kenpo.

Opening:
There are numerous uses & benefits, both externally & internally, that are derived from the “slaps” in American Kenpo. These slaps can occur on oneself or the opponent(s). Although not unique to Kenpo, as other arts also use a slap at times. American Kenpo absolutely dives much deeper in the use of the “slap”.
At 1st glance, especially for those who have not studied the practice, it appears useless, ridiculous & amusing. Honestly, I often wholeheartedly belly laugh at some of the memes.. as they are truly funny.
My goal, as a practitioner & teacher of American Kenpo, is to always focus on the lessons. The understanding within the knowledge that allows me to get as close as I can to internalizing this amazing system of Martial Arts.

Weapons Used:
Natural - elbows, hands, forearms, thighs, knees, feet.
Man Made - Club, Knife, etc.

Training Principles Within:
Orbital Facilitation
Timing
Rhythm
Melody - based on a comparative musical analogy.
Synchronization - Mind, Body & Spirit
Speed
Control - Depth of Pe*******on, one hand rule, etc.
Contouring
Rebounding
Elastic Recoil
Directional Harmony
Tracking
Threading
Continuous Movement - Curtails or eliminates the Start / Stop paradox.
Facilitates (PE) - Potential Energy
Phase Harmonics - As it relates to the human body.
Alternative Targeting
Maximized Energy Delivery- Kinetic Chain / Kinetic Coil

Conclusion:
If someone has further questions or curiosity.. I highly recommend finding a knowledgeable American Kenpo teacher & investigating further. I have no doubt that with an open mind, a willing body & energized spirit you will discover something truly unique in the movement & motion of this unique practice. However, if you find it is not your thing.. I encourage you to seek out what is. As Mr. Mills would say.. “You do you..”

Full Salute 🙏🏻
Scott Hilderbrand
The Kenpo Mill 2026

05/18/2026

Private lessons with Pazzaglia... a little outdoor, out of the box fun.

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04/20/2026

This past weekend I was fortunate enough to attend and present at The Martial Arts Symposium hosted by Terry Dow in New Hampshire. First I would like to express my gratitude to Terry for inviting me back! I wpuld also like to recognize Terry's efforts in putting this event together and how organized and smooth it went.. the food and entertainment was also excellent! I genuinely enjoyed it all and the level of Instruction from all the presenters was top notch. Most definitely professionals in their area of expertise! To have this much talent, diversity and expertise at one event is something rarely if ever found. I found myself taking classes I would typically never think of and had a blast learning!
I taught two sessions over the weekend and my focus was debunking the Kenpo Slap, reverse motion developing speed and precision, and having a bit of fun.. within minutes participants quickly recognized and dramatic increase in their speed and how to develop it. We then took a few basic self defenses and worked them on eachother with a focus on the above. Isolating those moments within the techniques.
I also had the opportunity to meet Chris Casamassa "SCORPION" from Mortal Combat... and yes there is a new one coming out May 14th.
A fantastic weekend learning, growing and laughing!

A few pics and vids from the weekend, enjoy!

03/25/2026

Truth...

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02/09/2026

I am not Larry Tatum but I am well educated and took physchics in college... if you understand the science and the some of the formulas used to create speed, or power or help with the flow of energy... this is far more and far deeper than "Slapping Oneself" people can laugh and make jokes all they want but these very same principles, formulas or shall we say the science happens in all other arts as well. The science is not unique to Kenpo. Having an extensive background in Okinowan, Aikido and Kenpo.. I to was a non believer at one point. Just didn't make sense until I really worked it and then it became very real. Is it always practical and possible on every move or technique maybe not.. but then again I dont believe it was meant to be that way.. thats why we have major moves and minor moves.. and major moves will impede or slow down or even stop a technique in its track. The compression we create when the slap occurs helps to facilitate and create the momentum and energy for the next strike. But it is best accomolished when there is complete relaxation throughout the movement until the very end. Rebounding or richochting off oneself or another is a learned and developed skill, just like a Kia is used to create power.. when a weightlifter yells most people think they just sound stupid. But to the trained weightlifting they know it increases strength. So just because someone doesn't understand something or lacks the ability to do it themselves does not make it impractical or useless. Another example is a raquette ball, the reaction you get when it hits the wall, compresses and the pressure throws or pushes it back is conversley far different if it were a softball or bowling ball. Again, look a the actual science and you will see it in other styles and systems, and you will hear plenty of slaps in Kung Fu as well.. it has little to do with the uniform... that was merely a trick and a challenge we all faced coming up through rank.. Dig deeper

01/07/2026

01/07/2026

I failed to mention how there is an obvious and very real possible of being cut on the initial move as well, when the attacker pulls their arm back, so yes MAYBE you avoid the puncture, but then there lies the possibility of being cut when the attacker pulls their arm back. More to come!

01/01/2026

Happy New Year Everyone!