vantheman

It is pretty hard to tell with my style. Chinese Kempo Karate is still pretty young and not very widespread itself (at least not to the degree of SKK). Since there have only been a few instructors, the system has only evolved so much. However, if you compare it to Shaolin Kempo Karate CKK's "parent" there are some significant changes in the ways the techniques of both are executed, but the system still shares resemblance. Aside from that, my instructor throws in a some from other arts, such as TKD, Boxing and BJJ, to mix things up every once in while, and those elements have started to integrate a bit. Altogether I would say CKK is evolving.

I also enjoy the Shaolin and Chinese aspects of kempo. After doing so many techniques and forms leading up to black, to be able to do loose and flowing techniques. Just a separate question, what are your form and technique requirements for 1st and 2nd DAN? For me, it is: 1st DAN 1-5 Pinan 1-5 Kata 8 Point Blocking System 10 Point/Pine Tree Blocking System 1-20 combination And a bunch of strikes and self defense techniques and 1 higher form or weapon form 2nd DAN All of the 1st DAN requirements 6 Kata Statue of the Crane Han Suki Two Man fist set (both sides) Swift Tigers Iron Fortress Combinations 21-30 1 Add'l weapon or higher form

Not much board breaking in my system either. Usually only for demonstration purposes.

That is a very common concept in Kempo, with each move or set of moves do as much as possible with as little movement.

Hello everyone, I have an interesting question for those who it applies to. How many "generations" are you from the Grandmaster(s) of your system? My instructor and the Masters that make up the Master's club were trained by the 2 Grandmasters of Chinese Kempo Karate, who were taught by Fred Villari the Grandmaster of Shaloin Kempo Karate. My instructor's first group of students now also serve as instructors and assistant instructors, and helped bring me to black belt, so I can so,what faithfully say I am a part of the fourth generation of CKK (the school I train at has only been open around 17 years, so that seems right). How about the rest of you guys? How far do you guys go to trace the masters of your art?

I have done it a couple of times. It isn't needed until one tests for Third Degree in my system, so I don't know exactly how it compares to the one you have a link to, but I notice a few differences from watching it. What rank do you need it for?

Practical? Not Exactly. The closest thing you would find out in the world is probably a jumprope, which would be better used as a suruchin. However, a prisoner was able to use them effectively... http://newsfeed.time.com/2011/09/21/inmate-escapes-st-louis-jail-using-makeshift-nunchucks/ Anyways, if you are looking for a practical weapon, I would suggest (as others have above) -Club (Rattan Sticks, Bo/Staff, Jo, Hanbo, or Cane) -Knife -Gun -Pepper spray -Tactical Flashlight -Whatever those pointy metal keychain things are called -Tactical Baton (although it is illegal in some places) -Taser Are they worth learning? Well, it depends. If they have any significance to you, your dojo, or your art, than sure.

The Dan is not, and will probably never be standardized the way military ranks are. Sometimes I question the need for a martial arts rank at all. Back to the topic at hand, In some arts, 10th degree is just a political position. In others, it is for the grandmaster of the style. This is the result of un-standardized ranking. This is why I really think that ability and experience should outweigh whatever Dan you may be (at least in post-black belt situations). But that's just me. The masters of the system I train in take darksoul's approach: they will form a "board of peers" when deciding in granting Dans above 5, and also decide what happens when the 10th degree retires, and who, if any gets to be promoted, given, a new title, etc. I really don't know if there is any one way to handle this problem. There is no universal standards for the black belt

I stumbled across this on ESPN. Pretty interesting stuff. Anyone interested in watching the U.S. Open for Martial Arts (or has 2 hours to kill) can do so @ http://espn.go.com/watchespn/player/_/source/espn3/id/509691/size/condensed/ Enjoy

Well, I would suggest you get both. Use the heavy one to practice the kata and perform with the rattan bo, as it is a bit lighter. Not only do you get a cool design, but it will be faster.

That is the SAME EXACT system my school uses. It's not that I hate it, I was just looking at what an alternative would look like, and what others thoughts were. There are some advantages I see to using a variety of colored belts, but those seem to be more on how many katas, etc., that a certain student has, rather than their level of skill. In other words, not EVERY single blue belt is going to be better than every single purple belt, especially with varying ages. The colored belt system that many martial arts (especially kempo) systems use have many different levels, with less of a difference from one level to the next. This system does give a more exact pinpoint of a students skill/experience, but each individual level is less distinct from the one above and below it (compared to a 4 or 5 belt system).

Hello all, The crazy rainbow array of belts that seems to be all over American Martial Artists has gotten me wondering lately: how many belts should there really be? Many schools now have 7 or 8 different color belts, combined with the use of colored electric tape leads up to 12 different Kyu levels. But are there really 12 distinct, unique levels of martial skills? Colored belts have been getting a bad rep for being used as money makers, (with every level-up coming with a testing fee) and while they can be useful for helping instructors recall what kata a certain student is working on, setting short term goals, ect, is there really a need for 12 short term ranks? What would you ideal ranking system be? Mine would be White: a student who has just began is learning the basic principles of the art Green: a student who has can perform multiple katas, can perform simple and effective self defense, can spar and show an advantage over an untrained person. Blue (May not even be necessary, I think 4 belts is enough): a student with a solid collection of techniques and katas, along with an increased speed and control over lower ranks Brown: A student who has developed a strong arsenal of Techniques, katas, combinations, and can demonstrate higher levels of power and control, but lacks the fine tuning and attitude of a black belt. (Pre-Black): A student that has met the requirements of a black belt, but is too young to be a full-on black belt. Black: A Martial Artist with a balance of Speed, Strength, and control, and can defend himself with great ability. They must also have a good attitude, decent Physical ability, and the responsible and leadership skills that true black belts have. And of course, Red Reserved for the Grandmasters or founders of the arts. A red belt would merely be a political belt, and would not be tested for. I took some of the ideas and philosophies of this from http://www.24fightingchickens.com/2005/10/21/karate-ranks/ so check that out at your leisure. One note on the use of stripes: I think that the use of stripe could be used to a limited extent, only used to denote that a student has all of the require forms, techniques, etc. for the next rank. Black Belts, on the other hand, I do not think that Dan Stripes are necessary, a certificate stating degree would suffice. I would think with the ideas of this simpler, standardized rank system, McDojoish nature of martial arts belts could be reduced. What do you guys think? What are your thoughts on ranks? What does your school do? I guess an even simpler thing to do would be to get rid of ranks completely...

I have the hardwood bo from century if that is the one you are talking about. It's a very sturdy bo. I love it.

I am not 100% sure on this, but I BELIEVE that Deluxe escrima are unpeeled, while regular one are peeled. The unpeeled ones have a smoother coating on them, while the peeled ones remove this and have a rougher feel. How this affects performance, I am not sure. Hope this helps,

Welcome!

Welcome aboard! Glad you enjoyed the camp.

Welcome Aboard!

Welcome to the Forum!

I would have to agree. Some schools offer a pre-paid 12 month payment, usually with a lower per-month cost. If you see yourself sticking with karate for a while, it may be something you should look into.

Dressage and Beach Volleyball. Like some dancing horse-polo with a net.

I love being the demo dummy. It's a privilege! I don't think you can even get to black belt in Kempo without being the punching bag once or... ok... many times I was always very tall when I was young. I was 6 feet+ in 7th grade, which meant I was the perfect size to be my instructor's Demonstration Victim. After a while, it became fun to see how many different ways Sensei can hurt you. It's the best way to learn a technique, in my opinion. Unfortunately, now I am taller than most of the instructors, which makes it difficult for me to be their dummy. I can remember one of them joking about how they worry that one day I will return 7 feet tall to get my revenge...

Young children showing strong discipline could hint that the quality of student there is high. Nevertheless, you should probably try to sit in with the class you would be attending. As for the TKD-Karate conflict goes, as long as the material is being taught in an effective way that can help you defend yourself, and the instructor seems legit, you should be fine.

A dojo with its own building charging $45 a month sounds like a very deal. What are your concerns? Do you think its a McDojo? Great advice. I would recommend you ask around as well. Best of Luck,

My school also has a 3-4 year old class and a 5-6 year classes. Most instructors realize at this age, the kids are there to have fun. 3-4 year olds are not tested for new belts, just given stars to sew on to their white belts. For young classes like this, instructors are aiming to putting a smile on the kids' faces, while teaching them some basic strikes and self defense. Come the 5 and 6 year old mark, students are diciplined, having to sit out and do push ups for rowdy behavior. They also begin testing (albeit at a slower pace) and doing some more legitimate karate, with class ending with some fun karate based game. What I am trying to say is that in the younger classes, you are going to see more kids screwing around. While it bothers you that not much is getting accomplished, move on to a more mature group of people. I had similar experiences when I was your age. I have always seen a higher quality of class as you get to higher age groups. Go for that older class. I love being the demo dummy. It's a privilege!

You got it, my style is a direct descendant of Shaolin Kempo/Kenpo Karate, and is the same for the most part.