Hello @SamCobb, I hope by now you are enjoying going through the kenpo 5.0 dvd set. The first and biggest notable difference are the different names of the techniques. Second, is the of grouping techniques into combate models creating a what-if based evolution of movement based of a type of attack progression. Third, as you stated, is going to the ground addressing the evolution of threat which Mr Speakman has affectionately call the “drunk mma fighter[or enthusiast]”. Lastly,for the purpose of this explanation, there is an introduction of an offensive combat model. To go further in depth would approach a written novel on this platform, not ideal. Would much rather have a conversation to go further in depth. Feel free to reach out if you like to connect further. [email protected]

5.0 fighting, sparring, ground work… any time students have an opportunity for in person training with fellow students or any of the 5.0 school locations world wide, including the World Training Center HW in Las Vegas, Nevada. The OA students have multiple opportunities through out the year for in person events. Including connecting with the Online Academy instructor in different locations around the country at different times of the year.

Absolutely agree… to give people the experience of what a class would be like I’ve created a 3 day lesson experience anyone can take advantage of. Check it out at the link below. jskonlineacademy.com/learn-more-in-3-days/

Many Online Academy (OA) students end up having a partner to work with by the time we get to the ground techniques. The OA also has many in person training option throughout the year. Where there is a will there is a way to make it work.

Kenpo 5.0 all the way.

This is an interesting question… As time marches on, if you were to gather all the Kenpo crests together there would be subtle differences in each crest. The one in the video on my uniform jacket is specific to Kenpo 5.0. I cannot speak to any other school’s rules and standards. However, In Kenpo 5.0 there is a set of patches required on each uniform and there is only 1 Kenpo crest we wear on our Left Side. At that Kenpo 5.0 is an evolution of Ed Parker Kenpo so our crest has many similarities to the original. If you are part of a school that is or is not Kenpo, I would recommend looking into their requirements for uniforms and patches or asking your school owner/senior instructor especially if you are wearing your jacket with said crest on the mat.

I agree with what Ed Parkers son thought about this topic, that kenpo is anyone's and everyones. I believe that patches should be related to a persons ability and not family relations or connections. @@jeffspeakmanskenpo5.0_OA

Looking forward to it! Please reach out if you have further questions.

Similar techniques, however the Kenpo 5.0 system is the evolution of the techniques to address the current threat of time. The biggest difference in EPK and Kenpo 5.0 are the techniques.

Having a partner definitely help increase your level of understanding. You do not have to have a partner to progress.

At the moment there are two different programs. You can find more information here… jskonlineacademy.com/home/pick-your-program/

I’m Kajukenbo too, thinking of starting kenpo 5.0

Interesting way of putting it.

Good question Chris, while the Online Academy is an online 5.0 school it is ran the same as a physical 5.0 school. All 5.0 students must test to advance into learning the next level material. The Online Academy has successfully taught students for over the last year since we opened. When we have the opportunity to train in person the OA students carry the knowledge that transfers seamlessly to physical partner work. Although it is an online school, in person training can happen often, and working with a partner who is learning with you is one solution to understanding the contact manipulation aspect.

Good question, all 5.0 students test for every rank. The Online Academy test through purple belt are done via Zoom. Blue belt and beyond testing is a worldwide requirement to be in person. There are multiple avenues to address the in person testing. For instance Brown Belt and beyond testing can be done at the annual Kenpo 5.0 Vegas camp, or European Camp. Please feel free to email directly for more detailed answers or tailored solutions.

Good policy

When you say mm time… are you referring to minimum time? It’s possible to start the fast track in yellow, each belt is re-assessed if the fast track is appropriate. Above all, a student must show understanding of all new material, and execution with sustained excellence for all compounding curriculum to rank advance.

The fast track is more for students who are ranked in Kenpo already, the foundation of basic movement is already present. It’s agreed on between student and instructor on a case by case basis at any Kenpo 5.0 school.

@@jeffspeakmanskenpo5.0_OA talking about this The Comparison of Rank And Knowledge Article By: Senior Master Richard "Huk" Planas The relationship between rank and knowledge varies from one martial art system to another. Many times, especially in Kenpo, it varies from lineage to lineage; sometimes from school to school. As I travel around the world I see people being promoted all the time to all sorts of ranks. I feel people need to know what the main requirements are for being promoted; time, age, and most importantly knowledge. In many cases people are being promoted without meeting the minimum time requirements for the rank. In Kenpo, the minimum time between First Degree Black Belt to Second Degree Black Belt is two years. Then there should be three years between each rank from Second Degree to Fifth Degree. Finally, five years between each rank from Fifth Degree and up. Again these are minimum time requirements, not maximum! You are eligible after you have met the minimum time. It's like when you get hired for a job and they say in six months you're eligible for a raise. This doesn't mean you will get the raise. You have to do a good job otherwise there's no raise. In addition to the time requirements there are age requirements to be considered for promotion. Thirty years ago a Black Belt meant a lot more than it does today. Now every ten year old is a Black Belt of various degrees. Originally it was established that a student must be sixteen years old to wear a Black Belt which at that point would be considered a Junior Black Belt. They would not be a Full Black Belt until the age of eighteen. As for the higher ranks, the age requirements were tied into the time requirements. It was said, "The gi just doesn't get old, you do along with it." Another consideration is the titles for each rank especially at the higher levels. At Fifth Degree the title begins to include the word Professor. That would suggest the individual bearing that rank would reflect the appropriate age. You rarely hear of a twenty something year old Professor! In addition, you do not hear of a Grammar School Professor. This leads us to the most important requirement for being promoted; knowledge. Professors are found at the highest levels of education and once again the title would infer an appropriate level of knowledge. I see that there is a lack of knowledge in Kenpo. People need to learn the rules and principles. The main problem is they are not aware of what they don't know. They never completed their schooling. It's like a doctor can't drop out of medical school and call themselves a doctor. They need to complete the entire schooling to get the degree. However it's important to note that the person with the lowest grade to graduate from medical school is still called a doctor. With all of that said, it really comes down to there simply being two kinds of Black Belts; good ones and bad ones. Which one do you want to be?

All great points @ Kenpo Studios Copenhagen. I know what type of black belt I am and the type of black belt that are students of Kenpo 5.0. It sounds like you have a great handle on the type of student and black belts earning rank at your school as well.

@@jeffspeakmanskenpo5.0_OA keep the videos coming all the best from Denmark 🙌🙌🙌

Some of the material is the same. However the Kenpo 5.0 evolution means 90% of the techniques have evolved making the DVDs out dated.

@@jeffspeakmanskenpo5.0_OA so Kenpo 5.0 dvds themselves have also changed ?

@@MrDpwilson333 the Kenpo 5.0 curriculum is on V-2 (the second evolution) making the DVDs out of date. GM Jeff Speakman has created a platform that houses all the up-to-date curriculum which every Kenpo 5.0 student has access to from any device. No need for a DVD player.

@@jeffspeakmanskenpo5.0_OA ah gotcha ! maybe kenpo 5.2 then :)

@@MrDpwilson333 that’s it! Kenpo 5.0.2

Hello! Your remaining questions can absolutely be answered through a phone conversation. Happy to schedule this via email if you like to start there [email protected]. The 5.0 DVD are a slightly out of date to the most recent evolution of the 5.0 system. However, based off your Kenpo experience I’d imaging making adjustments will come with ease. All ranked students entering 5.0 are recognized for their prior experience. While every student starts at the beginning, how quickly a seasoned martial artist learns and embodies the material is how quickly that student can progress. The “fast track” is in place for ranked martial artist to gain the same rank in 5.0 at a quicker pace then the novice beginner. Of course, it is important all students learn and understand all material for each rank. Looking forward to connecting further and answering any questions you have about beginning your 5.0 journey. Respectfully, Jenny Keiper

Thank you kindly. This course does not require a partner. However in a style where there is contact manipuation haveing a partner as time progresses makes emboding the information a bit easier.

To join Jeff Speakman’s Online University one would need to become a student at a 5.0 school. There a physical schools worldwide and the Online Academy school for those outside striking distance of a physical school. Student tuition varies slightly from school to school. It’s would be best to contact the closest school to you, you may also learn more about the Online Academy here: jskonlineacademy.com

There is not a physical location in Bakersfield. The two closest locations and wonderful 5.0 schools are in Pasadena under Anto Parseghian, and in Oak Hills under Dan Pribble. You can find their exact location and contact information for these two schools at this link. jeffspeakman.com/locations

David your question came at perfect timing. I posted a video this morning about training with injuries. In short, yes you can train. As you’ve probably already experienced since your accident, your training path will be a bit different and a bit kore challenging, but can you do it? I would say yes. Your mindset above all else, above your age, injury, location is the deciding factor when it comes to you training. Please reach out via email so we can have a deeper conversation about how to get you started on the Kenpo 5.0 journey if you you are interested.

Hello John, at this time there are no Kenpo 5.0 locations in New Jersey. The Kenpo 5.0 Online Academy does have students who reside in New Jersey. There are near a hand full of OA students in your area.

We need a school in New York City. Please send this message to all the people who could make this happen.

Another person from New Jersey was reaching interested in Kenpo 5.0 the same day you messaged. We have near a handful of Kenpo 5.0 Online Academy students in New Jersey and New York.

@@jeffspeakmanskenpo5.0_OA i didn't see anything on the list close to me

You are correct, there are no 5.0 physical schools near you. The Kenpo 5.0 Online Academy is an online only version of the physical school, here to serve students out of striking distance of a physical school. There is almost a handful of Online Academy students in NJ, possible training partners.

I disagree with your comment. I have trained in Kenpo since I was 7 and now train in Kenpo 5.0. I truly believe That if if Ed Parker would not have passed away he would have taken Kenpo in this direction. Because he always wanted Kenpo to continue to evolve and ground fighting was the next evolution. I also compete in MMA I can tell you from first hand experience not knowing how to handle yourself on the ground is a vital mistake in self defense. It doesn’t matter how good you are on your feet an experienced wrestler or Jui Jitsi practitioner will still take you to the ground so it’s best to know how to handle yourself there. Thank GM Speakman for evolving this martial art that I love with a passion and look forward to continue my training through your system and hope to meet you and train with you one day.

@@wardog179 That completely dismisses that Mr. Parker developed a system to handle multiple attackers. Not everyone fully understands that aspect of Ed Parker's Kenpo. But it is a fundamental aspect of every technique in the system. "Grappling back" negates that approach, and makes fighting multiple attackers impossible. Second, most would dissagree that fighting someone by using a tactic that your opponent is good at is sensible. A good Ed Parker black belt wouldn't try to "outkick" a TKD fighter, or "outbox" a boxer, or "outgrapple" a wrestler. That too would go completely against Ed Parker's tactical approach. If you like grappling, that's fine. But thinking that Mr. Parker would have considered that a "step forward" just doesn't make any sense. Also, jiu-jitsu and wrestling aren't new. So calling that evolution seems very strange. If someone would mix Kenpo 5.0 with boxing, or with TKD, or with Wing Chun, that too would be an "evolution" then of Kenpo 5.0? Most people simply wouldn't see it as such. I find the suggestion that Mr. Parker would have simply given up on fighting multiple attackers, a little too convenient, and a little naive. 5.0 is simply a Kenpo hybrid. There are several. No biggie. But attempting to know what Mr. Parker would have done, when a person hasn't even yet figured out how to properly use Ed Parker's Kenpo against grapplers isn't exactly very indepth. It suggests a limited understanding of Mr. Parker's system.

@@benpatell4073 that is your opinion and I will respect it. I have trained in two different styles in Kenpo for over 20 years I prefer 5.0 and personally believe it is the next step in Kenpo not knowing what to do on the ground is crippling you if your attacker is a ground fighter. The thing about Kenpo is there are several different variations and they all have there Merit. The sadest thing is GM Parker passed away so we will never know the direction he wanted it to go. My opinion is based on the evolution of self defense which as a police officer I have had to learn and adapt because almost everyone out there at least has watched or is familiar with some kind of ground fighting techniques maybe not correctly but still. Also since Jeff Speakman was one of GM Parkers top students and closest friends I believe he knew him better than most. I unfortunately never had the opportunity to meet him. Also boxing is incorporated and why would anything focused on self defense incorporate Wing Chun.

​@benpatell4073 kenpo 5.0 teaches multiple opponent defense, it is mostly street defense and that's why they also teach to never go to the ground where his buddy kicks u in the side of the head and its over. BUT it also teaches judo and brazilian jujitsu so u can take cause of business if need be

Through the rank of purple belt the test for rank progression in via zoom. Blue Belt and above are in person test. When it comes time for the blue belt and above test there will be multiple different options we would discuss that will work best for you

Hello, great question! There are options for Kenpo 5.0 enthusiast like yourself who have self studies with the DVD’s. This would be a 1-1 conversation to discuss the details of your particular situation. The blanket response being in order to rank advance you will need to be a student of Kenpo 5.0. If you are not near a physical location, like you have already mentioned, the Kenpo 5.0 online Academy is a great solution. I would be happy to discuss your particular situation details through email or via phone. I invite you to further connect at [email protected]. Happy to help and assist you with your Kenpo 5.0 journey.