To my colleagues across the pond!

[DoctorQui]

I was wondering if any of my US fellow members can help me.

I have been speaking with my brother who lives in Greenbier, TN who has said that he is looking to get my 7 year old nephew into Karate. He is looking at a local Dojo called Robinson's Top Gun Karate Academy based in Greenbier!

Does anyone know of them and can they give me some advice on style they teach and general quality of the teaching?

Thanks

DQ

[Dobbersky]

What a name for a school. It's like a school in the UK called Robinson's Red Arrows Karate Academy

Thanks, it put a smile on my face

[ps1]

Here's his website:

http://www.topgunkarateacademy.com/martialartsprogram.htm

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Robinsons-Top-Gun-Karate-Academy/123730490978649

Though I'm given to be suspicious of the school. In listing the "styles" you learn he has this statement:

We will equip you with skill sets from, karate, freestyle jujitsu, submission wrestling, and an elite tactical system, (name undisclosed due to licensing regulations), used to train some of the top body guards in the country.

Anytime someone says they're "unable to say the name of a system they teach" it sets off an alarm in my head.

Plus they have a "Ninja camp."

That said, the "ninja camp" could just be a fun name for a big event they hold. That is how the Facebook pictures make it look. But on this page: http://www.topgunkarateacademy.com/aboutus.htm they have "Shadow Wolf Clan (Ninja Weapons, Tactics, and Wilderness survival)."

Actually, of the 4 "licensed martial systems" he has listed, I've never heard of any. It's possible they are repackaged arts that he has learned over the years. It's also possible that he is not a credible person.

The last alarm is that I can not find ANY information about the instructor, other than his name on the home page. Lineage, or at the very least proof of training (pictures, certificates, actual styles ect...) is important to me.

When the styles listed are so vague, there's no information about the instructors, claims of "ninjitsu" training, "undisclosed" styles...I start to think it's fake.

With all I've said, it's certainly not my place to slander someone. That's not my intent. The ONLY WAY TO KNOW FOR SURE IF A SCHOOL IS GOOD IS TO CHECK IT OUT.

But I would do so with a very critical eye and a huge air of caution.

[sensei8]

From what I found out...Their primary style is Phase of Defense, which was created by Mr. Robinson. They teach MMA; in that three cores exist...

Shotokan

Muay Thai

Jujitsu

They also do Adult Level Bodyguard; take-downs, disarms, things of that nature.

ps1 offers some solid advise; advise I'd not take lightly. Good luck with your search.

Edited February 5, 2013 by sensei8

[DoctorQui]

Here's his website:

http://www.topgunkarateacademy.com/martialartsprogram.htm

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Robinsons-Top-Gun-Karate-Academy/123730490978649

Though I'm given to be suspicious of the school. In listing the "styles" you learn he has this statement:

We will equip you with skill sets from, karate, freestyle jujitsu, submission wrestling, and an elite tactical system, (name undisclosed due to licensing regulations), used to train some of the top body guards in the country.

Anytime someone says they're "unable to say the name of a system they teach" it sets off an alarm in my head.

Plus they have a "Ninja camp."

That said, the "ninja camp" could just be a fun name for a big event they hold. That is how the Facebook pictures make it look. But on this page: http://www.topgunkarateacademy.com/aboutus.htm they have "Shadow Wolf Clan (Ninja Weapons, Tactics, and Wilderness survival)."

Actually, of the 4 "licensed martial systems" he has listed, I've never heard of any. It's possible they are repackaged arts that he has learned over the years. It's also possible that he is not a credible person.

The last alarm is that I can not find ANY information about the instructor, other than his name on the home page. Lineage, or at the very least proof of training (pictures, certificates, actual styles ect...) is important to me.

When the styles listed are so vague, there's no information about the instructors, claims of "ninjitsu" training, "undisclosed" styles...I start to think it's fake.

With all I've said, it's certainly not my place to slander someone. That's not my intent. The ONLY WAY TO KNOW FOR SURE IF A SCHOOL IS GOOD IS TO CHECK IT OUT.

But I would do so with a very critical eye and a huge air of caution.

Thanks for that! I looked for a website but all it'd give me was yellow pages and other directory entries! I wonder if its because I'm searching in the UK?!?

[sensei8]

Here's his website:

http://www.topgunkarateacademy.com/martialartsprogram.htm

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Robinsons-Top-Gun-Karate-Academy/123730490978649

Though I'm given to be suspicious of the school. In listing the "styles" you learn he has this statement:

We will equip you with skill sets from, karate, freestyle jujitsu, submission wrestling, and an elite tactical system, (name undisclosed due to licensing regulations), used to train some of the top body guards in the country.

Anytime someone says they're "unable to say the name of a system they teach" it sets off an alarm in my head.

Plus they have a "Ninja camp."

That said, the "ninja camp" could just be a fun name for a big event they hold. That is how the Facebook pictures make it look. But on this page: http://www.topgunkarateacademy.com/aboutus.htm they have "Shadow Wolf Clan (Ninja Weapons, Tactics, and Wilderness survival)."

Actually, of the 4 "licensed martial systems" he has listed, I've never heard of any. It's possible they are repackaged arts that he has learned over the years. It's also possible that he is not a credible person.

The last alarm is that I can not find ANY information about the instructor, other than his name on the home page. Lineage, or at the very least proof of training (pictures, certificates, actual styles ect...) is important to me.

When the styles listed are so vague, there's no information about the instructors, claims of "ninjitsu" training, "undisclosed" styles...I start to think it's fake.

With all I've said, it's certainly not my place to slander someone. That's not my intent. The ONLY WAY TO KNOW FOR SURE IF A SCHOOL IS GOOD IS TO CHECK IT OUT.

But I would do so with a very critical eye and a huge air of caution.

Thanks for that! I looked for a website but all it'd give me was yellow pages and other directory entries! I wonder if its because I'm searching in the UK?!?

No...I got the same thing myself and I live in the USA. Check out my post above for something that might help you.

Edited February 5, 2013 by sensei8

[Dobbersky]

Sounds a bit like Soke Grandmaster Frank Dux and his Ninjitsu school also the "discrepancies" regards to who taught him etc re "BloodSport" movie and Jean Claude Van Dam

[MasterPain]

Looking at the pictures on the facebook account, this school does a lot other than martial arts. How much time is left for and how good are the martial arts? Don't know. But we're talking about a 7 year old here and these kids look like they have a blast. What does it matter if Master Tanaka is his shidoshi?

But from a serious MA standpoint, I have some major issues.

[DoctorQui]

Here's his website:

http://www.topgunkarateacademy.com/martialartsprogram.htm

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Robinsons-Top-Gun-Karate-Academy/123730490978649

Though I'm given to be suspicious of the school. In listing the "styles" you learn he has this statement:

We will equip you with skill sets from, karate, freestyle jujitsu, submission wrestling, and an elite tactical system, (name undisclosed due to licensing regulations), used to train some of the top body guards in the country.

Anytime someone says they're "unable to say the name of a system they teach" it sets off an alarm in my head.

Plus they have a "Ninja camp."

That said, the "ninja camp" could just be a fun name for a big event they hold. That is how the Facebook pictures make it look. But on this page: http://www.topgunkarateacademy.com/aboutus.htm they have "Shadow Wolf Clan (Ninja Weapons, Tactics, and Wilderness survival)."

Actually, of the 4 "licensed martial systems" he has listed, I've never heard of any. It's possible they are repackaged arts that he has learned over the years. It's also possible that he is not a credible person.

The last alarm is that I can not find ANY information about the instructor, other than his name on the home page. Lineage, or at the very least proof of training (pictures, certificates, actual styles ect...) is important to me.

When the styles listed are so vague, there's no information about the instructors, claims of "ninjitsu" training, "undisclosed" styles...I start to think it's fake.

With all I've said, it's certainly not my place to slander someone. That's not my intent. The ONLY WAY TO KNOW FOR SURE IF A SCHOOL IS GOOD IS TO CHECK IT OUT.

But I would do so with a very critical eye and a huge air of caution.

Thanks for that! I looked for a website but all it'd give me was yellow pages and other directory entries! I wonder if its because I'm searching in the UK?!?

No...I got the same thing myself and I live in the USA. Check out my post above for something that might help you.

Thanks S8 I appreciate your advice!

Its what I feared when he told me about it. It screams McDojo. They even have a minibus service for picking kids up from school as well as loads of other activities which need to be paid for which will no doubt be reflected in membership, uniform and grading fees! I've given him a few pointers on what to consider before signing up for anything!

[ps1]

Looking at the pictures on the facebook account, this school does a lot other than martial arts. How much time is left for and how good are the martial arts? Don't know. But we're talking about a 7 year old here and these kids look like they have a blast. What does it matter if Master Tanaka is his shidoshi?

But from a serious MA standpoint, I have some major issues.

I actually agree with this perspective. My problem is when a school claims a system that it clearly does not teach (there are only a handful of certified ninjitsu experts in the U.S.) or when they make outlandish claims such as teaching "an elite tactical system" but won't disclose the system name.

My biggest problem with this is that they are lies. To begin a relationship based on a lie is never a smart idea.