Progressive Fighting System Instructors

[akatrk]

I am considering training in JKD and found an instructor that just gained certification as a full instructor under Paul Vunak's Progressive Fighting System.

With all the talk of McDojo's going around, and viewing Mr. Vunak's very, very, extensive list of instructor's, I have a couple of questions.

1. Is there anyone that can give me their personal experience in the Progressive Fighting System?

2. For an instructor to be certified, does the person personally train under Mr. Vunak and if so, for how long?

[jeff5]

I've been training with some of Vu's guys for a few months now. I have to say that the head instructor is extremely knowledgeable and the classes are very dynamic and intense. I've done JunFan/Kali etc. before, but the format and the way we learn are a bit different, and very combat orientated. So I guess my initial impressions are that I like it, it focuses on strait forward, effective techniques for self defense. We also do a lot of scenario training and planning etc. Meaning if you get into an altercation, what is your game plan? (not that it will always work or won't go out the window but you should have a plan)

I honestly don't know what Vu's requirements for his instructors are. I know to make a full instructor it takes quite some time, but he does have different levels. The only advice I can give is train with the guy you know and see how you like it. That's always the best way.

[Michael Wright]

Hi

As a Full Instructor in PFS under Paul I'm happy to share some thoughts if it may help you out.

It took me 7 years to attain my Full Instructorship, 2 spent as an Apprentice as 5 as a Phase One. I've recorded over 200 hours of personal tuition with Paul and many more with other PFS instructors. You can only become a Full Instructor in PFS through Paul directly, Full Instructors can make Apprentices and Senior Full can make Phase One's, but only Paul can certify you as a Full Instructor. So therefore the guy you are considering training with must be a student of Paul with some solid time behind him.

In terms of Paul's "very, very extensive list of instructors" this is well out of date and needs a serious review, I know he will get round to it soon! That said, there is nothing wrong with having many people represent you, its usually an indication of the volume of people who want to study under you. Guro Inosanto has over 330 instructors now worldwide, no issue with quality there.

These are only my own experiences and thoughts, and I will warn you my friend that you will encounter your fair share of Vunak and PFS bashing, its sort of become par for the course. My own personal experience is that Paul is a world class martial artist and teacher, and all the members of the PFS family I have trained with have been great guys too. In closing I can only endorse the response from jeff5 - the best way forward is to give the training a go and find out for yourself.

Hope this has helped, best of luck.

Michael Wright

[aseepish]

Over the past twelve years or so I've studied with about two dozen instructors. The PFS guys I trained with in Vancouver were some of my favourites. The material and the training methods are great - the progressive aspect makes a heck of a lot of sense.

[PFS kali]

Yes, the PFS instructors list hasn't been updated in literally about five years...

You can't be awarded a full instructorship unless you have trained personally with Paul for a good amount of time, been in good standing with him and PFS, and have demonstrated your ability to teach the material.
Paul decides who is teacher material and who isn't.

How long one trains with Paul is somewhat dependent on the person's ability to teach, fight, demonstrate the material, and comprehend it. A lot of Paul's instructors have come from heavy martial art backgrounds in their own right.

Me personally, I recieved my Phase one instructorship from Paul in 1998, and was awarded my Full Instructorship in 2003.
So about 5 years for me as well.


William

Progressive Fighting Systems
Tactical Knife Fighting/Kali

[shen lao]

In My Opinion It Doesn't Matter Whom Or Where You Train. You Are Ultimately Responsible For Your Own Progression. Above All Remember TO Do Whatever You Have To To Win. Use Every Faculty Available To You. Learn What He Teaches You And Improve It. That Is What Bruce Would Have Wanted Anyway. Always Seek Every Concievable Flaw In What You Learn. This Will Lead You To See Your Own Flaws And Grow. Reaech As Many Systems As Possible And Continually Test Your Skills In Live Dynamic Multiple Opponents Spars. That Is The Only Way To Really Be Sure About Your Own Efficiency.

[BoarSpear]

whaT iS thE poinT of capitaizinG thE firsT letteR oF eacH worD!?

iS iT thE secreT codE oF youR claN?

[Tant01]

Originally Posted by akatrk

I am considering training in JKD and found an instructor that just gained certification as a full instructor under Paul Vunak's Progressive Fighting System.

With all the talk of McDojo's going around, and viewing Mr. Vunak's very, very, extensive list of instructor's, I have a couple of questions.

1. Is there anyone that can give me their personal experience in the Progressive Fighting System?

2. For an instructor to be certified, does the person personally train under Mr. Vunak and if so, for how long?

I'll tell you one thing! First, I don't have any experience with PFS but that's not what I want to tell you.

I learned a bit about hand to hand combat the HARD way! A "Progressive Fighting System" sounds a whole bunch better to me than throw him in the meat grinder! Take knife fighting for example. You want to learn starting out slow and work your way up the ladder to full contact as in Progressive Fighting System? Or do you just want your instructor to try to kill you straight away?

I advise the progressive route, trust me, the meat grinder hurts more and will leave you with scars on the outside and the inside! You might even suffer traumatic stress that could turn you off to martial arts all together!

Look at the guys that posted a response that do teach PFS! Real gentlemen! Professionals every one! (except me!) I say go for it!

[akatrk]

Thanks for your responses everyone. I did go up to the school and spoke with a Mr. Chris Moran in NYC. Chris had just recently received his full instructorship from Mr. Vunak and showed me a couple of things.

I was very much impressed with his knowledge and skill of JKD. He showed me some very basic moves that anyone could use and for a little guy, he's kind of strong.

What blew me away was the fact that this young man is only 25 yrs old and is very humble. His students love him and constantly want to spar with him in order to excel in their own training.

I am looking forward to training with him once he establishes himself with a training location (he no longer teaches at the initial location where I met him). Let you know how it goes.

[jkdcman]

You do not have to train with Voo directly to be PFS certified. Any senior or full can grant that. I myself am with Thomas C. Cruse. I have friend that got his full a few months ago and has made a few appertenice and phase 1 instructors since the. Prior to attaining a full you just take students to Cali or bring a full/senior instructor for a seminar and they grant rank to students you bring up who pass the flight time "exam." At least that is the way I have seen it done.

[Aaron04]

jkdcman, are you currently training with Thomas Cruse? If so, is he doing anything new or interesting these days? I would imagine his grappling especially as it would apply to a streetfight is pretty awesome by now. Not to mention his standup. Am I correct in assuming he still uses RAT?

[jkdcman]

Yes he is still doing RAT. He is also helping with the new material that is being passed through PFS. His grappling as always is superb. He did train with Rickson for awhile. He is always doing new stuff. In the 9 years with him I have seen many changes. JKD is always about growth and evolution. I do love training with him but also as per his advice I started training traing BJJ straight up as well. I am with the Valente association there and looking forward to my next mat session with TC. Hopefully I can at least do some damage there. I know I do not stand a chance with Kali or standup as he proves everytime.

[Aaron04]

Thanks....

[GQchris]

http://www.scottsspa.com/training.html


I found this guy from Ron Balicki's website, Ron trained under Dan Inosanto.

[GQchris]

Originally Posted by Mike Brewer

Ron is also Dan's son-in-law...

yeah, I didn't know he had a hot daughter