Does American Kenpo Really Work?

Does American Kenpo Karate actually work? The debate rages on on whether the American self-defense system developed by Ed Parker would actually work on a real opponent in a real life situation. Many feel that if it's not in the UFC that it isn't valid.
Today we get in depth with the topic with special guests Mr. Zach (White Belt Zach) and Aaron Cohen, a former Commando with the Israeli anti-terrorism operations, bodyguard, tactical weapons expert and trainer, and movie stunt team tactical training. He has a diverse martial arts background and today he shares his insight with us about his Kenpo training, his real life combat, and whether he think American Kenpo would really work in a real situation.
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#kenpo
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[@Turbulent2000]

As a martial artist with a 30 years experience, I can say that everything works on the street, but not everybody can use it effectively. It depends only on a particular person. You can use only 1 blow which you have trained 1000 of times and use it successfully, or be a black belt with dozens of kicks, grabs and throws and be KOed by the drunken jerk who simply has courage. Thats all, folks. Its only up to you. Don’t seek a martial art, find yourself.

[@lordoffaiyum9727]

Good advice

[@tonymontana3949]

Clever and right answer

[@scottwaldvogel4783]

Think of techniques as tools… use the right tool for the job…. Just because you can’t use a long handled shovel to brush your teeth does not mean it’s a poor tool… it’s just not the right tool for that job….

[@ericpetteway3841]

I’ve got 40 plus years martial arts training, and yes it works. It’s the person using it 100%. I’ve used several traditional techniques to defend myself and subdue individuals as a security guard. It’s also mindset that determines an outcome

[@jjsiegal1]

100% --- It takes a Warrior Spirit to win a fight.

[@Dr.JoeyCadena-op3sd]

What a great interview! So awesome to hear my Kenpo brother, Aaron, breakdown “functional Kenpo!”

[@foxybrown2]

THIS IS THE BEST MARTIAL ARTS EXPLANATION EVER. SELF DEFENSE IS NOTHING LIKE IN THE RING. SELF DEFENSE IS REACTION TIME. DOING THE RIGHT MOVE AT THE RIGHT TIME.

[@CombatSelfDefense]

I agree with most of what Mr. Cohen is saying. I like his idea of "you fall to the level of your training," because that is absolutely true. I think his assessment that practicing "self defense techniques" has to done outside the purview of regular kickboxing/mma sparring (the Kajukenbo bull ring, I think, is a good way to put the "turn it on" mentality into practice.) Where I see an issue, however, is in his criticism of "sport fighting." Obviously you can't rake people's eyes and strike the cerebellum in the cage or ring BUT, I think the other side of that coin is that too many martial artists (not just Kenpoists) see those "forbidden" techniques and think that's ALL they need. A good fighter is a good fighter. A regular guy who doesn't practice putting those techniques into actual motion will never be able to land them on a trained fighter. It's always the training, never the style. Also, I believe the kind of training required to make the kenpo techniques effective and natural is something normal people DON'T want to do. As Mr. Cohen said, you're going to need the mouth guard, you're going to need the groin protector, and you ARE going to get banged up. A lot of people don't want to do that. It's painful, it's not pretty, and but for a very small group of people, it's not fun.

[@anthonymalgiero4215]

I say it is fun. It's great fun.

[@ArtofOneDojo]

I have to agree with pretty much 100% what you said here. We wanted to take what we felt was an honest take on Kenpo, what was good and what was bad. What he meant by the ring, or at least what the intended message of that conversation was, was that we were saying the ring itself has rules, and people tend to use the UFC as a measurement of effectiveness. Of course MMA fighters can use the same dirty tactics in a real self defense situation, but that isn't what is televised. What is televised is a contest with rules and that's why you don't see the dirty stuff in the ring specifically. Of course MMA fighters are tremendous athletes and fighters and I have no doubt they could use the same dirty tactics. The real difference is like you said, they are REAL fighters. Not because of the arts they chose, but because of the conditioning, sweat, and work they put into it. And I agree, Kenpo isn't going to magically work because it's a brilliant art. To make Kenpo work, like any art, requires intensity and real application. I WISH I had the training Mr. Cohen had, in terms of pressure and testing. Our school never did that and that's one thing I aim to do with this channel is to put myself through some of those paces because it IS important for self defense. There are no magic techniques. Just experience, time, effort, and application/testing. And that applies to ANY art.

[@CombatSelfDefense]

@@ArtofOneDojo Mr. Dan, are you open to a conversation with me about how to make "pressure testing drills" that more accurately represent Kenpo outside of just sparring? Like what would it look like to make training more than "wooden dummy practice with a human being" and not just "shitty kickboxing?"

[@ArtofOneDojo]

@@CombatSelfDefense I would at some point yes. I'm actually experimenting with answering that currently and I think I want to run through more of it so I can be a little more fair with what I talk about. I still have some concepts I'm testing and applying to see what works where, or how Kenpo can be applied better. I just want to be well informed before recommending or dismissing particular drills.

[@MrRabiddogg]

@@ArtofOneDojo in a few years someone will make AI assisted training dummies. essentially sparring robots. You'll be able to go full blast and the robot will be programmed to certain levels as deemed by the Dojo (i.e. yellow belt level sparring, black belt etc) and maybe even for certain drills. no worries about injuring your sparring partner.

[@thesithlord5410]

If it wasn't for learning "Kajukenbo" I never would've looked backed into Kenpo or discovered this amazing channel. I gotta say you Kenpo practitioners have profound insight. Kenpo was actually the 1rst martial art I was supposed to practice but I couldn't understand it so I left it alone but after studying and practicing some Hapkido and JKD and Krav Maga I actually discovered new things about myself that led me to discover a martial art that I soon feel in love with and that's Kajukenbo. Kajukenbo is also amazing and like I said I probably would've NEVER look back into Kenpo if wasn't for learning Kajukenbo and I love how this dude says he mixed Krav Maga and Kenpo together and honestly I don't blame him cause when you understood enough Krav Maga and kenpo those 2 arts make a deadly combo. I'm mixing Kenpo with Kajukenbo and yes I know Kajukenbo has Kenpo Karate or.. Kenpo Jiujitsu in it but still I think Kenpo and Kajukenbo would go good together and in the future after I've mastered the arts(Kajukenbo and Kenpo) I'm goin to MMA to increase my fighting capabilities. Boxing to improve my punching speed and punching power. Karate and Taekwondo for more kicks and agility and flexibility, and Judo and Wrestling to increase my Grappling skills for takedowns, throws, and joint locks. I really appreciate the insight you guys have the art of Kenpo had blessed you with wisdom and me as well. I love this channel and the content is so educational I highly recommend Kenpo and this channel to any martial artists who wanna obtain some good insight.

[@complexblackness]

What Kajukenbo Techniques do you like? I personally feel that Grab art 3, Is one of the more practical and effective Kajukenbo Techniques. I like Grab art 1, 2, 3, 4. Punch counter 10. A few others.

[@errolthomas9426]

I'd love to picture a new kind of Kenpo combined with Kosho Shorei-ryu Kenpo(James Mitose), Kara-ho Kenpo(William KS Chow), Kajukenbo(Adriano Emperado), Shaolin Kenpo(Ralph Castro), and American Kenpo(Ed Parker Sr)

[@VegasSportsGaming]

All the shit is basically the same you only got two hands, Two arms and two legs and two feet

[@clabianco1]

He is absolutely correct. I say that Karate training should be in stages: 1.Practice in air until you can perform the technique automatically, without thinking. 2. Practice with a padded partner who is truly trying to hit you 1x, until you can do it rapidly without thinking. 3. Practice the same in which the partner tries an immediate "right-left punch sequence" a "1-2" and also a "right jab and a upper cut". 4. Then practice another technique the same way. Then 5. give the opponent the freedom to do either one without you knowing which is coming. After mastering that, you are ready for learning new techniques. 6. After learning may techniques in that manner, including blocking kicks and kicking, then you are ready for moving and performing those techniques in a "free style situation."

[@cpiper6338]

One of the things that really got my attention was Mr. Cohen mentioning that Ed Parker wanted Kenpo practitioners to expand on and continue to evolve (much like Bruce Lee's attitude of taking whatever works). The odd thing is, a lot of instructors I know who are Bruce Lee fans or, in the case of Kenpo, Master Parker fans, have kind of fallen into the habit of teaching their style or system as gospel. (We do it this way!) If Lee was still alive, he would most likely look as many of these 'modern' styles as more of the "classical mess." That's why I believe Jeff Speakman (and Mr. Cohen, now) deserves massive kudos for daring to evolve in the face of many naysayers.

[@lordoffaiyum9727]

Agree Jeff has always evolved

[@bensigl3766]

I think the same thing has happened to Kara-Ho Kempo. While it has never preached evolution, it was meant to be a "street art of self-defense" and that was NOT my impression. There is so much ritual, superstition, mythology, outdated opinions, etc. that I just can't call it that. All that said, my sensei was fast, fluid, and powerful as a guy of smaller stature. It really helped get me in better shape and REALLY helped my flexibility. There is a Speakman 5.0 Dojo in town, but im REALLY leaning towards a more Japanese style (Trias' Shuri-Ryu) and English Catch Wrestling.

[@stanclark3992]

hI C pIPER> Evolve to what? Is the art sound or isn't it? 😄😄CHEERS

[@bensigl3766]

@Stan Clark without more groundwork and pressure testing, no. I really don't think the art is "sound". Whatever that truly means.

[@stanclark3992]

@@bensigl3766 Hi Ben. I'm working on an answer for you. 🤗🤗Cheers.

[@assoverteakettle]

Regardless of whether the topic is kenpo. karate, boxing, BJJ, judo, and even MMA, we are still at this paradoxical riddle where martial artists who practice dogmatic martial arts with more damaging techniques but unable to practice them full force will claim that any other martial art which has any kind of rule or limitation is only a sport and should be treated as a sport martial art. And the martial artists who practice the more pragmatic martial arts with fully resisting opponents will claim that the other martial arts are not realistic because you have to practice with a fully resisting opponent who is out to beat you. We had thought that martial arts events like vale tudo and the first UFC's (which would eventually evolve into MMA) resolved that question because it had minimum rules which simulated, as close as possible, the conditions of a real fight -- you could strike to the groin, headbutt, punch to the throat, but could not bite or gouge the eyes. Yet dogmatic martial artists will still say even those two rules disqualify the martial art as anything other than a sport. Then there is another argument where arts like BJJ, judo, and even muay Thai or MMA could claim that their arts also have lethal techniques except that they do not use them in sparring/rolling/randori/competition. In BJJ, for example, you could brain damage or kill somebody with a choke if you hold it long enough. You can cripple someone permanently with heel hook. And, as law enforcement gone wrong has unfortunately shown us in the last few years, you can kill someone with a pin (e.g. a BJJ knee on belly into a knee on neck). An abrupt neck crank can snap someone's neck. Judo has old jujutsu techniques that are taught as kata at higher levels. And it doesn't take a lot of effort to turn a jab in muay Thai into an eye gouge and we see jabs turned into eye gouges all the time in MMA and boxing matches. Therefore, the counter argument from the sport martial artist would be: You can gouge me in the eyes and strike me in the groin but I can also do it back. So short of a dual to the death ancient Greece pankration match, what's the answer? Is the martial arts dog always going to be chasing this tail? I wish I knew the answer.

[@truth4grace580]

Love what your guest brought to the table! I have a brown belt in America kenpo & black belt in Shorie Ryu Kenpo, and your opponent is not going to just stand in front of you to do a bunch of fancy moves, until you have been in real street fights you will never know how it feels to be in real combat. For me American Kenpo had to many techniques and technicalities. I am now studying Goju Ryu, love it. All arts have there strengths and weaknesses, all I know is all the blocks, punches, and kicks do not change, its how you apply it to a real life situation. God Bless you all. Great content! 👍

[@Haywood-Jablomie]

I identify as a 14th degree black belt in Kempo Karate... it doesn't matter that I've never actually learned any of it, I've watched perfect weapon three times... as long as I identify as being a 14th degree black belt, nobody is allowed to argue with me because identifying as something is more important than reality. or something like that. I haven't really figured out liberal ideologies yet, but I'm learning!

[@truth4grace580]

@@Haywood-Jablomie Lol hilarious! Thanks for the input. Yea in the traditional Okinawan arts you will rarely even see a 3rd Dan. It takes a lifetime to move up.

[@Haywood-Jablomie]

@@truth4grace580 I've seen 3rd dan Taekwondo students that just turned 18 years old. It's sad how watered down some styles have become. I have quite a bit of respect for Kempo for allowing the style to progress. There's a style of Karate called SHIDOKAN and they have reincorporated full contact sparring, bareknuckle, as well as Judo, Jiu-Jitsu and kickboxing... So, it now looks more like really old school karate in many ways as opposed to the watered down stuff that so many people train. Check out SHIDOKAN TRIATHLON KARATE.

[@truth4grace580]

@@Haywood-Jablomie Will do, always open to learning. Thanks again.

[@timkittle5418]

Great observations.

[@TheRealFamespear]

Really enlightening discussion, guys. Thanks! As someone who comes from Judo, Karate, Wing Chun, TKD and Hapkido, I feel like I’m already a Kenpo guy. 😂

[@PhilipAJones]

If you do begin Kenpo, you'll pick it up really fast.

[@TheRealFamespear]

@@PhilipAJones, definitely! 👍

[@stansenter2660]

As a kenpo guy, I feel like I've done all of that...not even joking.

[@TheRealFamespear]

@@stansenter2660🙇‍♂️

[@Thelucassiwy]

Awesome to hear Kenpo coming back! I plan to incorporate it into all of my books. I train under Steve Cooper, who has his own evolved form of kenpo called AmerKai. He hosts the Long Beach Internationals. Great interview. Maybe we see kenpo in the next John Wick?

[@bullfrogjay4383]

Very cool info. I train Jiu-jitsu but Kenpo sounds super fun. Hope I can train in it one day.

[@dragonballjiujitsu]

Dude, stick with Jiu-jitsu or find something else thats real like Muay Thai or Lethwei maybe boxing. Kenpo is a fantasy art. Not real. If you have a blue belt in BJJ you will take out even the highest level Kenpo guy easily. This is proven and repeatable.

[@tomshepherd4901]

It's nice to hear the opinions of someone with real experience. 2/3 of all UFC fights end in knockouts, not submissions. Boxers and freestyle wrestlers win more UFC bouts than either Muay Thai or BJJ fighters. I've always believed in the training methods used by Kendo and Fencing styles. Pad up and fight full speed, full force but have the dicipline to stop when you tag or get tagged so you can figure out what's working or not working. Nothing trains a fighter like fighting, especially in real-world scenarios.

[@dududu5189]

Excellent comment, Tom.

[@JohnJohnson-pq4qz]

Make 2 simple rule changes and these stats (which I am not sure are entirely accurate) would change quite a bit. 1) No gloves 2) No stand ups. After all, those things do not exist on 'the street'. Get back to me then.

[@brin66itm59]

As I am just beginning my Journey into Kenpo, this discussion helped give me a desire to also obtain more “academic” learning about it. Thanks!

[@julianward5140]

Excellent, it stimulates thought and promotes growth. keep up the good work with this channel

[@vanceinouye7078]

Great discussion!

[@Grodd70]

Did Kenpo as a young adult for about 3.5 years and was a purple belt. I practiced a great deal at that age and we practiced our techniques with headgear chest protectors, hands and feet under some pressure. Fast forward 12 years later long after I stopped Kenpo. I was at a police academy and we were taught a handgun retention technique that required us to step forward. It was similar to a technique in Kenpo but we stepped backward. EVERY TIME when we did it under pressure I would automatically step back. It shows that if you do it 6 million times it can become instinctive.

[@complexblackness]

So did the technique work?

[@zaneivy]

...great discussion. I'd like to add that changing up environmental factors for training (self-defense) can also be very informative and helpful. You're not on a level dojo floor out in "the reall world," you may be on an incline, mud or slick grass, movement under your feet (subways, buses, etc.), cramped spaces, furniture, relative darkness, etc. On another front, sensitivity drills (as found in Wing Chun, Southern Mantis, Silat, even Taichi, etc.) can also be good for training flow and helping students to adapt memorized patterns as the energy input/force changes. (I'm an old guy who's trained Okinawan styles, Tai Chi, Wing Chun, Kajukenbo, Judo, Escrima...etc., and I'm not so much interested in "sport" competition anymore) Oh...I'd like to suggest iron palm and iron-shirt training as well! (lol)

[@themartialartway]

Mr. Dan, what an amazing person you are! I have the pleasure of training in the chuck Sullivan IKCA system. it was a pleasure to listen to Master Aaron Cohen. I wish I started in Kenpo early in my life. I trained in Shotokan karate, Kenpo jiu-jitsu, and BJJ. I have also trained in krav maga and kali. I'm like a kid in a candy store! I wish I can do so much more but I got to work for the family. Thank you for your training. You give martial art dignity!

[@davejaenen3256]

I teach the Tracy's Kenpo and it is a long program which we teach to the letter so the belt format is the same as was 30 years ago. However we also say that certain technics are not perfect but more they an application that is used for training purposes not a set in stone move that should be used in a practical situation. Love the way you approach kenpo it is always changing and evolving, great work.

[@michaelpuma1764]

Excellent interview!!!

[@darnelljones3765]

What a great interviewEE and interview!

[@ChrisTempel]

Great conversation in this!

[@steveng8251]

Love that idea of gassing up and letting off the clutch. Thank sir for the insight.

[@markwimmer3647]

Great episode really like all the opinion and info

[@808frontline]

Most Kenpo schools train self defense techniques and when they spar it goes out the window and they simply point fight. In our school, Kenpo is broken down: Footwork Hand attacks Kicks Grab arts Takedowns Forms Weapons Sparring Etc… A major difference in our school from others is our fighters can use the self defense in real time sparring where most schools default to point fighting.

[@jedijudoka]

My personal experience is that Kenpo, if trained in such a way that you only practice kata, self defense techniques against a compliant partner, and point sparring, then no, it won’t work. However, if you drill and spar with live resistance against a partner legitimately trying to hit you and stop you, then you’re on the right path to develop the skills necessary to stop a violent attack. While I started on Kenpo, judo came along and stole my heart. The principle of seiryoko zenyo (most efficient use of one’s energy) is the lens through which I view all my training, and I just don’t see the techniques in Kenpo as the most efficient way to practice combat. I truly believe sticking to much fewer, basic, high percentage techniques with drilling and live sparring(ie sensei Seth) is vastly more efficient at building martial skill.

[@ziggydog5091]

Asking if Kenpo works is like asking if FMA works, they are both proven arts that many people have used successfully to save their lives the question is can “I” make Kenpo work. I have to train hard, I need fighting experience, and I have to be willing to use it when the time comes.

[@argoshikan]

But no one says that about boxing or judo or wrestling or Muay Thai. The good thing about kenpo and some fmas is that they spar full contact. That saves the art. Combat sports allows us to simulate combat. A purple belt in bjj destroys all these dudes in a unarmed “fight,” but kenpo and Krav and fma do care about weapons and this is why folks should train some of that.

[@argoshikan]

Taking about the dog brothers, the pit, and others above. The close you can get to reality in your training the better.

[@ziggydog5091]

@@argoshikan I studied BJJ for sometime, I have no problem with them, but then I was in an mma gym where I could stack them and slam them, combat sports are only sports, my Kenpo teacher, my fma teacher, and my CMA teacher were all men who had used their arts in combat in war zones to save their lives. They all fought full, continuous contact in the school as a matter of course.

[@masterculler]

I generally don't leave online comments, either favorably or unfavorably, for such content. But, I LOVED this discussion. It reveals truths and critical aspects of training that most are unwilling to consider, much less accept. Thank you.

[@user-zh4hc4og1c]

Chuck the “Iceman” Liddell former UFC light heavyweight champion studied kenpo

[@fernandoantunes151]

From all discussed here and based on the example videos showed, I find a lot in common with Goju-Ryu Okinawan Karate, which doesn't surprise me since Goju-Ryu has been respectfully mentioned various times in this channel.

[@williamw1332]

Mr Dan Sensei! Awesome video. I find myself agreeing with you guys…that more knowledge from different arts just adds to one’s own arsenal. …most if not all techniques are derived from basic core movements. No matter what the art is you practice…Whether on offense or defense…strike/block/parry/move and/or get hit, then Left, Right, forward, backwards, sides, rotate or spin, duck/evade or take down, jump…then from these …every technique then continues. …oh, and don’t blame the art …blame yourself 🙏

[@ratlips4363]

As a first strike or pre-imtive art, I can say YES! I have never been put down since I was studying at the Tracy's Studio in Menlo Park, California in the mid 60s

[@carlfjnon]

The technique sparring is an interesting concept. I may just have to suggest it to our instructors

[@AVCworks88]

Wow! As soon as I heard pop popcorn, I immediately thought of Hugo Rojas. I was one of his students in his California Youth Karate Club almost 17 years ago now. Glad I decided to check this out. Brought back a lot of great memories. Sure enough, that's Rojas in the clip as well! I almost didn't recognize him. Freaking awesome.

[@cowlico]

I love kenpo, incorporated it into Oh Do Kwan Taekwondo and it works! I’m just beginning

[@jorgefavian4413]

I have down martial arts for almost 50 years shotokan kenpo and taekwondo they all work it's the person that makes s a different

[@nagone11]

I have found in the street the most basic straight forward techniques work the best. The fancy over cumbersome moves and stuff will give an opponent who will not move like a practice partner in the dojo an opportunity to move on you. Straight blast to the face, knees straight to the abdomen following with knee to the face, snapping front kicks on a person coming into you, these work great on a-holes trying to attack. Simultaneous blocks and strikes up close are almost undefeatable, they never expect such counters up close. Keep it simple, but let's say for a person who knows BJJ..if your ground fighting game is not there, you're in trouble, but very few attackers will be trained like this, but they are out there.

[@anthonymalgiero4215]

In the AKKI the system was streamlined also. But not only were the list of techniques shortened, the concepts used were also streamlined. The sets were changed to 2 person drills that if used correctly can help spontaneity. They can bridge the gap from ideal to formulation phase. There's a way to move from doing the techniques in a technique line to doing them in sparring or spontaneously. It's not to just "wing it" sort of like he's doing. Situational drills the way. These drills are within the sets of Paul Mills' AKKI Kenpo. Also there's only 3 forms in the AKKI. Form 2 and 3 also have advanced versions that you do as black belts.

[@ArtofOneDojo]

Paul Mills has a WICKED grasp on the subtle basics of movement. He knows how to rotate and apply the most minute nuances to his strikes to generate a lot of power. I love watching him move.

[@anthonymalgiero4215]

@@ArtofOneDojo it's a shame he doesn't get as much recognition as some of the others. He's really developed a comprehensive system that I think doesn't get appreciated because everyone sees the flashy videos on KZbin and not the real substance of the art.

[@nnamdiuyalorjr2896]

@@ArtofOneDojo Personally, I think Kenpo Karate is a highly effective fighting style to learn. Kenpo incorporates the street fighting self defense techniques which are important for more people to learn.

[@Mikael151]

Very good interview. I’ll be looking up more content from Aaron Cohen

[@GastonDeCardenasphoto]

Great debate. I personally agree with you all 100% - Make the art work for you. In the words of Bruce Lee “To know oneself is to study oneself in action with another person. If you want to understand the truth in martial arts, to see any opponent clearly, you must throw away the notion of styles or schools, prejudices, likes and dislikes, and so forth. Then, your mind will cease all conflict and come to rest. In this silence, you will see totally and freshly." We as martial artists have to make a distinction between real martial combat which is spontaneous, and martial sport which is is like a chess game. In real martial combat a martial artist cannot predict, but only react using minimal effort with maximum effect.

[@gballmaier]

So many great nuggets from your guest. AND I LOVE THE DRUMMING ADVICE 😂 I TOO PLAY DRUMS. GREAT PROGRAM

[@MDMiller60]

This was the best discussion of self-defense and the systems individuals use to accomplish it. I have experienced a Sensei in my life who was passionate, detailed, practical, and nurturing. Shihan Paull Arel. He studied Judo, Jiu-Jitsu, and karate. He practiced Okinawan karate starting in the Marines and later Kyokushin. I joined his dojo upon learning of his objectives and experience and because I had completed my Marine Corps enlistment two years prior to finding him. I had also been a Judo student during my high school years, going about half way down the kyu ranks. I can tell you that when I was practicing Judo, it wasn't big in Connecticut. I heard that shihan Arel's Judo school was perhaps the first in CT and maybe the first in the N.E. states. Not sure.

[@ninjaspam2000]

You need to make a video of masters and respected practitioners answering the question of what is martial arts. And use his clip talking about how martial arts are about applying technology under stress.

[@brentduncan5184]

Excellent topic and I'm glad someone had the fortitude to broach it. I agree with you, Dan and Aaron,, that Kenpo has become too complex as taught by some instructors. The body can only move so many ways but has infinite possible combinations. I studied Kenpo when I was younger, but I removed myself from it because of the complexity of the way it was taught. It's better to start with one movement or response and then figure out the smooth transition to two or three other movements. After that, take the next second movement in that chain and figure out smooth transitions to two or three other movements, etc, etc. Then drill it until you are blue in the face. Pressure testing is key, of course. Multiple opponents and gradually introducing a variety of pressure testing against people with weapons is also important as higher levels. Still, the secret to making a system work - no matter what that system is - is to keep it as simple as possible. Learn the basics. Apply the principles. The flashy stuff will create itself in the moment. Thank you again for the great content.

[@omaromar9427]

As a Kenpo practitioner for over 25 years, in the streets five swords ain’t going to work. Boxing and some grappling like bjj or wrestling is where you should go to.

[@ArtofOneDojo]

Five Swords isn't likely to work if you're just copying and pasting the moves, but the concepts, movements, and principles in five swords can work if applied correctly. I've used it successfully sparing TKD guys, used the double inward block to stop/jam a round kick or spinning hook kick and did the same hand combination only using closed hands instead of open. It worked great. If you can understand the movement relationships the techniques have with each other, you begin to see that it's not 154 techniques, but rather variations of 5-10. It's about knowing the different ways the body and move and the techniques are simply demonstrations of that. Bowing to Budda...is just Five Swords. It's in reverse and on the lower part of the body, but it's still Five Swords. Circling Wing, is just Five Swords from a rear choke. Do the motions slowly and you'll see it. I agree with learning boxing and BJJ, but don't brush off the lessons in Kenpo because you think Technique X isn't "going to work in a fight". It's not about memorizing them, it's about understanding the motion and cause and effect in each one.

[@jasonsippola183]

I would never crap on a style. I definitely would never crap on a disciplined practitioner of a style. I got into martial arts seeking out a particular style, American Kenpo Karate, from a movie, The Perfect Weapon. My personal Kenpo instructor was also a high school state champion wrestler. So we grappled, performed locks, and did submissions in our Kenpo curriculum (we also did empty hand and weapons self defense, Kenpo sticks, fencing and ballroom dancing-Renaissance men). This was in the late 1990s. This was my introduction to martial arts. Since then I have trained WWII combatives/self defence, traditional Okinawan Kempo Karate, Modern Arnis, Judo, and Jujitsu. It has been my personal experience that each and every one of these styles complement the others. I am better at Judo because of Karate. I am better at Kenpo because of Arnis etc. True study and training reveals the seeds and applications of these various styles in each other and make the practitioner better in all of them. A style offers a set of tools to apply to life events under differing circumstances in different environments. The disciplined individual practitioner, their instructor(s), training partner(s), skill level, abilities, experiences, and background these make the martial artist. Not the style. I really enjoyed the video, discussion, opinions, and explanations. Life, not just martial arts, is about never ceasing to learn or ability to be teachable.

[@blockmasterscott]

Yes, it really does work. Where people that never practiced Kempo fail to realize is that you’re never expected to do 20 techniques on someone like you do on a DM. The high number of techniques is designed to increase hand speed, which it does. 12 years of Kenpo did wonders for my hand speed. Han Suki was my favorite form hands down.

[@bw5020]

@Jake Collins In theory.

[@mutant0177]

I really enjoyed the talk. As a Civil Krav Maga Instructor I often have the issue to trigger the aggressivness which is needed. But I guess it is a big diffrence if you have an 18 year old military guy or an 50 year old soccer mom. 😂

[@eranshachar9954]

I agree with the points you guys have given. And also so nice to see a fellow Israeli who is part of this world that connects all of us- Martial arts. Any style could be good in the hands of the right user who is using the knowledge correctly. I watch boxing from a time to time, and you can hear the trainers say "hands up" very common thing. The thing about the hands up, it is helpful when you see you can't dodge the punch and it's coming right now. So then yes hands up, but the important thing to do is block 1 or 2 punches and then move. You can't stay stationary that is the worst thing to do. The better thing to do is only one hand up, and the 2nd hand is mobile for delivering an attack of your own. Martial arts is a complex thing it's dynamic. There is something I have a problem with and that is Forms. Rather you call them Kata/Tao Lu they I don't like them. And the only reason I trained to gain control of the Forms, was for receiving a new Sash/Belt and then I forgot about them and how to do them. They were for a reward. Today I see them as a Form of standing meditation, because you normally sit in meditation and for breathing exercises.

[@kyleconger2109]

I do ITF style TKD. Years ago we did a tournament with a Kenpo school. They kicked out buts in sparing. We were use to point fight. One or 2 combination movments. The kenpo guys whould hit us in 4 or 5 move combos... we couldnt hang.

[@1888swordsman]

I have never had to good fortune to experience Kenpo in Perth WA. I have trained in several martial arts (mostly Chinese origin). If I've learned anything, it's people who are critics usually can't or don't do. Currently I've been able to learn some Kuntao, a lot of flowing hands. Learn slowly the moves, understand where and how to hit and develop maximum power. One hit = one kill, old Te quote. Life isn't a film, be ready with your tools and be aware/prepared. I hope I and others never need to use our skills. Respect to you guys for sharing your knowledge and experience. Cheers

[@mastertorryn5397]

What he saying is every martial art can work as long as you train to build a defend yourself besides sparring, So yeah you have to be ready all times with for all situations!

[@sifuschroder]

He hits on all the major issue with implementation of Kenpo. It’s almost like you guys were reading my thoughts over the past 20yrs. It is unrealistic to think you’re going to apply Kenpo on the fly. It’s the exception not the rule. You have to train 3-5 techniques that work to the inside and or the out side. Then apply those when the opportunity presents itself. Utilizing the web on knowledge take 10 techniques and build them up over the belt ranking system by the time your students reach green they will be unstoppable. Frictional pulls are great what about frictional pushes another great concept. I have never seen a more scientific system touch than Kenpo.

[@wendellbenedict4793]

Great video. Definitely agree with the information shared.

[@richardthemagician8991]

Only a third of the way through this video and I am loving this conversation!

[@gballmaier]

Forms are like practicing drumming on a drum pad. Necessary, but Real life fighting training is like playing on the actual drum set.

[@greygreenblack]

When I was 9 I studied Kenpo, only up to orange belt and I had to move. I was very upset. I desperately want to go back to this style and move up to the black belts. I've done mostly kickboxing since that's what's been available to me. I drive and have a car now but I live in NJ, I wish there was a GM Tatum or GM Speakman school here. Anyway, I'll say this, anyone that says Kenpo doesn't work, is obviously unintelligent. The strikes are brutal and devastating. The techniques are not meant to be hit 100% of the time. They are meant to increase speed, reaction time and if the situation permits and a full technique is hit then great. The point made here is to speed up and be aggressive. I'd be able to hit a large percentage of Kenpo combinations in a real fight because I'm extremely fast and powerful. I'll buzzsaw through a boxer. I've built my body for speed and power, I'm 205lb, I have knockout power and lightning speed with my body build so, physical fitness is another factor in being able to force will and technique on an opponent.

[@benjaminforster2529]

Thank you so much for this contribution. What I liked most is the last part of the discussion. I myself practiced a few years of different Karate styles as a teenager but never continued as an adult. Only now at 39 years of age I have finally decided that I want to re-enter the whole world of martial arts. About Kenpo: what made me sceptical initially was that a) I had never heard of an American Kenpo school here in Germany and b) since it was founded by a white American, I was unsure how deep his understanding was of the Chinese and Ryukyuan roots of Kenpo slash Karate. However, just because I'm sceptical and I don't know about a style doesn't mean I have to hate on it and claim that it's ineffective or even useless. Honestly, making such bold statements about an art you don't even know usually proves that you're a) ignorant, b) malevolent, or c) both.

[@jorgefernandez6407]

A homeboy from Miami... Loving this video already!!! Twin Dragon Kenpo on 8th street right here with, Jon Webb & Bart Vale (formerly Tracy's Karate with Tom Dunn)!!! In Miami btw!

[@jstorey6226]

Finally someone explains Krav, I started at the beginning 2000 before it became super popular and how u described the triangle is familiar with what I went through when I started.

[@christophershaw9014]

Great discussion. Really enjoyed it.

[@jacksonswagga]

Amen brother!! I trained in kenpo, also Shotokan and bjj! Make it all work.

[@Shadowman9348]

This was an awesome interview! It's great to see these amazing individuals share their knowledge of the martial arts! 👊🥋☯️

[@jeffreykeith6494]

You have the best guest. Two cents from Cpt. Obvious.

[@tonymontana3949]

Im very happy for this interview...im sorry if tyring you i want see video for Kajukenbo

[@N108funshow]

My second corpsman “D” was in a bar with friends in Hawaii in the late 80’s. There was a guy in the bar, giving them a hard time. If I remember correctly, he was harassing the women. Anyway, another guy that was present, stood up to tell the jerk to leave them alone, and the annoying guy went after “D’s”. “D” told me it was over in a couple seconds. After the fight, he asked the guy what the hell was that!?The guy told him it was Kenpo. it’s usually the fighter not totally the system. Some are better than others. I think it’s what you make of it. Attitude and drive mean a lot.

[@KnowPorcelain1]

Really enjoyed this video, and the reason is the following, the host, is starting to understand what, and why he trains the techniques he does, and is becoming creative, by simplifying. I see a lot of videos, like some of the Kempo training, it looks pretty, but if you break it down, the second third and fourth moves (I know they are done for the drill) are not needed, and pressure testing via sparring will create efficiency. I understand, you have to switch it up, and change things up, when sparring live, and its good to learn from better students, but we need to spar with as many different levels as possible, the better ones to learn, the worse ones, to help them improve, and experiment, and those similar to try it out under pressure. I understand about pretty, I have a 3rd Dan in Hapkido, but thoroughly agree with adapting our style to us, and training the psyche, its important to learn how to continue, and control ourselves, after receiving a strike, and executing. really enjoyable common-sense video.

[@ArtofOneDojo]

Thank you, but I'd like to make a slight adjustment on what you mentioned about the 3rd and 4th technique and up not being needed. They are in the technique sequences to fulfill something academic, but not only that, to establish patterns and point out application. If you pay attention, you'll see them repeated and used somewhere else. For example, the last few moves of Five Swords are the first few moves of Charging Ram, just done on a lower plane. Parts of techniques can become general extensions to add anywhere you feel you need to. The low kick combination at the beginning of Checking the Storm are in the later portions of techniques such as Gift of Destruction, and can be used as extensions anywhere. Alternating Mace is a technique that can be tacked on the end or the middle of a variety of techniques or sequences, or just position recognition really. So it's not so much that they are just extra moves in case they are needed, they are there for a reason in terms of understanding the academics. When you understand WHY they are there, you can then take them and either put them somewhere else or recognize they are a variation of a previous sequence/combination.

[@KnowPorcelain1]

@@ArtofOneDojo but repetitive training, like 5 swords, does create a pattern of movement, as you are not taking physics into account, the force on your opponent, and there natural reaction to such force, yes we can transition to moves 1 3 5 etc, by second guessing moves 2 4 and 6, but in reality it does not happen like this, for example the first strike, what if I am used to taking strikes, and my reaction is to move to the outside of your strike, rather than backwards, you now have to cross your own stance, or what if your opponent is a counter striker, I am not knocking your training, as we need to start somewhere, the key is the unexpected, or subtle unprescribed change, like the video stated, we need to train with different partners in training, every 15 to 20 mins, ditto in sparring, so we do not become complacent, bigger, stronger, better, worse, not so skilled, weaker, in which we help those not so accomplished as ourselves, and experiment with our ideas with the lesser, and then try it on the better, be it a fail, or a trial, a balance if you like, be it a win, or a fail, we learn, we evolve, we try to consistently improve, what works now, is no guarantee. I am 52, I train with whoever I can, whenever I can, I do not care what their background is, standing, or on the floor, I will gladly learn, try or teach. the old saying of technique is technique, is true to a degree, but technique is pattern, patterns can easily be worked out, but they are the building blocks. always push further, never give up, and never stop learning, your mental belief, is your only false ceiling.

[@TheMartialWay]

Absolutely love this conversation! Kenpo was my first black belt, but I was really disheartened by the lack of confidence I felt, as I was never really struck, nor did I fully strike someone! It didn’t feel “real”, as there no live drilling. Which is also a huge thing. So I left. I dabbled in different styles until I landed on Kyokushin. Full contact bare-knuckle karate. I absolutely learnt what that felt like! HUGE eye opener and obtained black belt. I loved it, but it has become so sport focused and lost its self-defence roots. Flash forward further and I discover BJJ and become a very humbled beginner all over again. And obsessed lol. I somehow stumbled back into Kenpo coming up in my feed, and seeing the Speakman 5.0 peeked my interest, as I loved Kenpo so much, even though it felt like “movie” fighting. Rehearsed and fake. But this seemed more legit. But after hearing how Aaron Cohen “drills” Kenpo it really got my mind going, and I started thinking about how you can apply the ecological approach of task based learning to this. I am strongly considering opening back up my Kenpo roots and trying this approach. Thank you for the episode and inspiration!

[@JKDVIPER]

This guy knows what he’s doing. We use different methods. But generally speaking, his ideas jive perfectly with JKD. Jkd is more about a quality hit? So it’s weird. But, I can’t even spar (play fight) and use my JKD full steam, because 99 percent of it, is hard simple hits. MMA is a game. It has a referee. It has rounds. 2 or 3 minutes and we take a rest? On the street people won’t stop just cuz you tap? Grappling works on one person and it takes a while? We fight standing up mostly. Real good solid structure. We do ground fighting techniques but like you said... they can pull a knife. We hit the throat on a puncher. We hit the eyes in a street fight against a puncher. I did KEMPO KENPO along with JUI JITSU and JUDO AIKIDO and KIOKUSHIN. Fantastic article and commentary.

[@MrRabiddogg]

Its been 22 years since I was in a class, but the school I went to used to coordinate forms and kata so that you learned the forms on sparring day and those forms would be in the kata you learned on kata day. He would show us the practical application for Section X of the kata we were learning. Also, Bookset was my favorite Kata. But it was a tad long.

[@sthelenskungfu]

I love these interviews

[@ArtofOneDojo]

Then you're going to like next week's ;)

[@tkm69u]

100% agree with his take on things.

[@bw5020]

I think it can work. I've never doubted Kempo could work. Was adopted by law enforcement for years back in the day. I just think the quality control ends up being an issue. As white belt homie said, watered down and sloppy kempo is entirely too common. Pressure testing and sparring is extremely important. I don't think you have to do a combat sport to be a viable fighter, but to make these arts work, there has to be a semblance of threat and response or it doesn't hold when it's time to use it.

[@timkarnes6683]

I have heard Mr. Planas say that they did ground fighting/grappling at the Pasadena school on Friday nights. Mr. Parker had a black belt in Judo. Also, a friend of mine who is a high level BJJ instructor told me that he asked Gene LeBell about Mr. Parker’s skill on the ground. He said Gene LeBell looked at him with a serious expression and said “Mr Ed used to make me tap”.

[@SamCobb]

I wonder why ground fighting isnt in american Kenpo in that case?

[@tsan3796]

Ed passed away before his next phase of his system working on adding ground/grappling at time of his passing 1990

[@raywest7222]

Hey I'd think it would be cool if you guys did a style review on shorinji kempo and kudo daido juku

[@christiancreasy5268]

All martial arts will work for self defense if you know how to used it. Also, what your instructor teach etc. Your confidence also plays apart in it.

[@complexblackness]

One question. After all these years And thousands upon thousands of Kenpo practitioners. How come no one has thought to do what the Gracie's did? That is to compile a list of techniques that have been used and deemed the most effective. Surely there must be some practitioners who have had to defend themselves, over the decades. One Kenpoist told me that he used part of Snapping twig, to break the grip of an assailant. He did the the first part, and he said he doesn't know if he dislocated the elbow. Yet his assailant let go of him, and the Kenpoist got out of there.

[@Soldier-of-God.]

Glad to see that Mr.Aaron Cohen has vouched for American Kenpo Karate's validity and effectiveness, as a practical and applicable martial art. I do see also his point, along with Mr. Zack aka: 'White Belt Zack' when they both stated that the UFC or any other similar, mixed martial arts, cage fighting type of competitions, should not be the only measuring stick, to determine as to whether an actual martial arts style is effective or not in a real fight. As they both mentioned in competitions be it boxing, Kickboxing, full contact tournament Karate, mixed martial arts competitions and so forth, so long as there are rules permitting or prohibiting something, the supervision of a referee to ensure the safety of the combatants at all times, a cage to prevent anyone else being in there, except the two martial artists contesting the match, the that in itself while not fake fighting is at the same time not 100% real, street fighting, applicable, battle field training. Individuals at a martial arts competition mat, a mixed martial arts cage, a Muay Thai, Kickboxing or boxing ring, etc do not need to worry about needing to fight and survive against multiple assailants, possibly armed with knives, guns, knuckle dusters, baseball bats, all swarming upon them at once, while being on the ground trying to choke out, armbar, leg lock or submit someone. As Mr. Aaron Cohen mentioned I absolutely agree that not all street fights finish going to the ground, lastly one of the UFC's popular, sale, marketing slogans was: "As Real As It Gets"! Meaning that the UFC and any similar or all combat sports in general, aspire to give both its battling participants, as well as the audience a realistic as possible combat contest as realistically and yet safely as possible. Mr. Aaron Cohen looking forward to you using your martial arts choreography influence in the Hollywood films scene, to persuade film makers to showcase more American Kenpo Karate techniques in their action films, heck why not even superheroes films such as Blade, Black Panther, Deadpool, Batman, Daredevil and so forth. I also do hope that Mr. Aaron Cohen will succeed in giving us yet another phenomenal Kenpo Karate, oriented film, since Master Jeff Speakman's, superb The Perfect Weapon film, since the 1990s. Thank you to you Sensei Dan, Mr. Aaron Cohen, as well as Mr. Zack for such an insightful, continuation to this interview, looking forward more to such material in the near future, Osu🇲🇽🇦🇺🐨🦘🥋!

[@RemainRealProductions]

Learn the techniques but understand it isn't the techniques we need to focus on, but the movements within, the strikes within, the locks and throws.

[@timkittle5418]

Aaron is spot on, especially about cops. I did 20 years and we were trained to take people to the ground. I have had that cost me; a bottle of Miller Beer to the head turns out the lights.

[@brucehuddler7518]

I too come from LE as well, yes we where trained to take people to the ground for handcuffing and searching not to grapple a stranger that could have a weapon. That is a roll of the dice that sometimes gets people killed.

[@timkittle5418]

@@brucehuddler7518 Copy that. That's why I prefer judo, especially for LE. It has great ground fighting, but the idea is to throw the opponent and remain on your feet. I have a nice scar on the lower rear part of my skull from taking a fool to the ground while breaking up a Halloween party in 1986 - as I was wrestling with him on the ground, his buds began pitching beer bottles at us - a full bottle of Miller High Life exploded against my head and it was lights out.

[@MikeMurphy01]

Good discussion. I think this is one of your better video's.

[@deannatheos4471]

Kempo is very effective alot of the old African Americans from the 70s that boxed only give kempo respect and the other styles they saw back then during the karate kung fu craze of the 70s they don't give them respect only kempo held its own in the street. Also I think that Krav Maga is very impressive. Kempo is top of the line no doubt in my book.

[@davidwoolley707]

Miyagi-do and cobra Kai is basically Kenpo. I grew up in the 90s doing Kenpo born in the 80s..I reached blue belt which was two belts shy of black

[@gregsmith284]

I studied Kenpo for 18 years and used it while working as a police officer. It worked for me

[@AjninHaru]

One of the most important concepts I learned was Mushin.

[@cookio_animations]

Thanks for this talk! Very interesting

[@bw5020]

I love coming back to these videos. I love what white belt Zach said ... And everyone was making good points, but when there is a lack of quality control, you get very questionable representation. Kempo as a concept is fantastic. Kempo as an art tends to vary as when you can't maintain quality tutelage, you get questionable results. With that being said, the benefit of the kempo model is that you can have 100 kempo black belts, and they will all utilize or incorporate different elements from without and beyond, making distinctive mutations. It's greatest strength, is also it's greatest weakness. Combining Krav Maga"s more or less simplistic approach to self defense, with kempo's stringing of techniques, sounds pretty effective. Dan mixing his kempo with jujitsu opens up a lot of options and allows him to engage and mix striking with grappling. That will round out his ability, naturally. Kempo with more Kung Fu, is likely to make it more fluid. Kempo had a lot of practitioners participate in pancreas and k1, to noticable effect. Many police, protection agents, and the like, have utilized Kempo back in the day. So I really wish that folks didn't look for garbage kempo to denounce the whole thing and throw the baby out with the bathwater. Because if we're playing tit for tat, a lot of so-called functional martial arts (BJJ and Muay Thai) have gone down in quality as well due to their popularity and quality control slowly starting to slip. Ironically suffering from the same issues they denounce kempo for. My personal take, Kempo suffers from a bloated syllabus, similar to Hapkido. When you have too much, it becomes very insufficiently demanding. Quality control is a good idea but that's hard to pull off when you have multiple Kempo identities.

[@michaeldavis9167]

Well said and great discussion

[@RemainRealProductions]

Absolutely agree, Aaron is a great source of knowledge

[@eddted2876]

Kenpo worked very well for Jeff Speakman. Bet he trained well to be that good!

[@papasmurf8927]

My advice humbly. Which is respectfully is asking a kenpo practitioner that you're friendly with to spare. No I do not practice kenpo

[@brianoliveira8585]

I'm not sure I agree about the comments about MMA. Most people in the UFC have a specialty and they are usually a high level practitioner of a particular art.

[@tommartin1223]

I love the idea of switching the technique in the middle of it. But I have no idea how to do this. I'd like your feedback on how to do this. Thanks in advance

[@ArtofOneDojo]

Practice grafting techniques together. Like take your yellow belt techniques and see how you can mix them together. Look for differences and similarities and see what techniques you can tack onto other ones. For example, Kenpo "Alternating Mace" can be inserted into a lot of other techniques. It starts by slowly experimenting and mix techniques together. You'll start to find piece and combos you like and the more you work them and get familiar with how they blend, the faster you'll start to be able to do so.

[@tommartin1223]

@@ArtofOneDojo thank you

[@flubu3333]

Can you explain exactly what he means by “gassing up “ the techniques and exactly what he does in the training? Is his training partner throwing any attack and he is doing a technique like a no mind drill? And they are just doing it full contact? Or was there more to it? He said something about reversals as well. Just looking for a breakdown of how he trains. Thanks

[@MoonlitWaterLillies]

I assumed he meant pressure testing. As in, can we apply this technique or principle in different scenarios, not necessarily in 1 prescribed way. Also does this work if someone is actually trying to hurt you, ie a self-defense scenario opposed to consensual combat. That's what I took it to mean.

[@flubu3333]

So is he doing a technique full speed against random attacks or against different attacks but that are pre determined? Or is he just doing random techniques against random attacks in order to train?

[@kendpruitt]

Good discussion...I trained in 3 different martial ...ground fighting is very important.

[@kracylatin01]

Great discussion:Loved it ; There was a lot of truth to this video. I love the comment referring to MMA; fighters for the most part spend months on striking and a few months of BJJ or wrestling and then they fight ; This is so true. As a martial artists I have spent years training in Boxing, BJJ ,TKD and I noticed when the MMA fighters train with my boxing team or BJJ team ; they get overwhelmed and go to striking when training BJJ and sometimes kick when they box . I also agree that it depends on the individual to learn and pressure test their system; Great job on this subject 👍

[@Sovvolf]

Most MMA fighters spend there time training all three of those things roughly around the same amount of time. Most classes have BJJ classes often run by someone who as a background in pure BJJ, then you'll have a wrestling coach in there and a striking coach along with your MMA coach. Taking different lessons on the timetable. That comment about "A few months on striking and a few months on this" is a pretty out dated concept that maybe happened in the early days before dedicated MMA gyms formed. Kicking when they're boxing and going for strikes isn't a sign of being overwhelmed. It's a sign of doing what you've been instinctively taught to do. Unless you have a specialisation in Boxing, you're going to default back to your kickboxing because that's how you've been taught. Believe it or not, we have guys at our gym that have a specialistation in boxing, they barely throw kicks and sometimes catch themselves standing in a leaf stance. Though even that is a different argument all together. The argument over specialist versus generalist i.e people that have learned purely MMA or people that have come into MMA with a prior background with something else to begin with.

[@kracylatin01]

@@Sovvolf : I believe you mis understood to what I was referring to: When I stated that a lot of MMA Fighters that come to my gym go to our pure Boxing classes and our Pure BJJ classes: So what happens is when the MMA fighters spar they end up using a take down during a Boxing only class not MMA ; The MMA fighters informed me that they were overwhelmed with the boxing then went to their instincts: which was either wrestling, kick boxing or BJJ but the whole purpose of why they were there was to work on their boxing: We do have MMA Only classes where all techniques are allowed but the fighters sometimes forget during sparring in the specialized group class not to preform a kick during a boxing only class as the person could get hurt for a technique that is not allowed in that class : Hope that clears that up for you .

[@gqloc6768]

I read his book when it came out. Very interesting!

[@jasoncruz582]

Im a kotonakarate black belt. Kotona karate is a combo of Kempo, Judo , Shotokan, kickboxing.

[@dinohomsey4905]

Been training all my life, in boxing and American Tae Kwon Do, grew up in the street via the carnival circuit, that being said, experienced a little life in the system as well as the more than frequent street altercation. During that little sprint in the joint, got to experience my life trying to be snuffed out on a couple occasions, in max security, So much for security. Thank God I'm here to talk about it. Point of the little history session there, is to basically say I've been around the block a couple times and have experience in the REAL world as well as the Professional one. I would just like to state MY OPINION about "SYSTEMS". That's like saying anything is better than something else. A Chevy is better than a Ford. It's ALL BULLSHIT!!! The only way one thing is better than another is the amount of work applied to it and exactly whom or what that work was put into. IT IS NOT THE ART!!! IT IS THE PRACTITIONER!!!!! Get real, fellow martial artists', it's not your art that is better, it can only be you the individual that wields said art. What EGO one must have to say that his way is better than another? It is not the ART, IT IS THE INDIVIDUAL! REACTION????

[@kendpruitt]

Truth...