Ryukyu Kempo and HapKiDo

[amp]

I started studying Ryukyu Kempo Karate about a month ago, and have started to notice that I can fend off most HapKiDo techniques with little effort. When I spar, flashy combos go away quickly because I'm a much more effective blocker. If I get them there, they start to punch but lack the ability to do it like a Kempo person would. I easily knock away punches and tap away. It's gotten so ridiculous that people fear sparring me and there was talk of banning me for a week just because I win with little effort.

 

It's worth noting that I am not hitting hard, just like they ask. I don't punch in the face, sweep, or kick to the groin. I assure you that I am playing by the rules. A lot of the talk actually started when a guy sparring me somehow managed to get a black eye even though I didn't hit him in the face once. He admitted himself that he caused it and that it was not my fault. Despite this, I guess it's a good enough reason to bring a successful martial artist down. I've even had to deal with direct kicks to the head, professional boxer blows, etc., and still managed to win without pummeling the other guy.

 

Has anyone else had a situation like this happen? Any thoughts on this or just Kempo and HapKiDo? I get this feeling that it may be a school issue less than a HapKiDo thing. We're only taught four blocks by orange belt, whereas in Ryukyu Kempo students get full block exercises on day one.

[omnifinite]

Sounds like a school that doesn't want its bubble burst.

[delta1]

Amp, I have a lot of respect for Hapkido in general'. It may be just the school you are with. You might want to reconsider your affiliation with them. Another tack might be to stay there, glean as much as you can from them, and tone down your sparing. Use those sessions to work on footwork, entries, blocks and parries, positioning, techniques and moves. Push yourself so that you are at a disadvantage, trying new things. That is often what I do when sparing with junior opponents. You don't want to overwhelm them, and are mostly a trainer in that situation. But I sometimes work in a few things I'm trying to improve on.

 

I don't know that much about Ryukiu Kenpo, but I understand there are a lot of similarities to American Kenpo. If that's whre you are learning more and getting pushed to improve, I'd say you'll soon come to the point that you should leave the Hapkido school and concentrate on what bennifits you the most. But, of course, that's your call.

 

Good luck in your training.