The Legend of Korra

I was under the impression that you needed to be able to bend the elements before you could bend energy. If you can bend energy, then you should be able to bend the elements as well because energy bending was the source of all bending.

I'm inclined to think it's chakra blocking from Ty Lee or some other sort of martial art. they have to be adept at something like that considering bending is mid-range to long range and rarely ever short range combat.

EDIT: it seems they're using technology to increase distance- to have their own kind of "bending". Kinda like the hand laser from Ironman and electrically charged batons.

Amon seems to be closer to energy bending, but I'm obliged to believe that it has something to do with chakra. The middle of the forehead is around where "The third eye" is.

EDIT2: Agree with below too. I feel like bender who wants to be the only bender in the world makes sense.