Can Karate be effective?

[BoarSpear]

It took great men a lifetime to develope a system that was designed for preservation of their family lineage. they practiced a lifetime and felt unworthy of their masters while we attend a class twice a week and never or rarely practice and cant wait to tie on our blackbelts and do our 45 second form or kempo with little or nomore realization than tieing our shoes. Its not the system thats failed the student, but the student thats failed the system.

Very well said!!

Unfortunately this is true of most of the Martial systems today.
There are those who stilll live the lifestyle, but they get treated as freaks and wackos by the majority of the population. These people rarely have students since people dont have time for training as well as women, cars, bars and a job so the teachers would rather see the art "die" complete rather than "live" on as a joke like so many of the commercialized arts today.

[jubaji]

In the hands of a well practiced martial artist, these techniques are deadly.

....................

[Kenpodog]

I don't ever remember any of my instructors teaching "Kenpo Politics", but it seems to be a major part of the system????
I started in a Chinese or Tracy's type system then moved into an American or Parker (EPAK) system. For what it's worth, I think my school is affiliated with the WKKA and I never cared to know the lineage.
In Kenpo it's what you know, not where you go.
Kenpo was designed for the street and politics or lineage won't help out there!!!

[shaolin-warrior]

I'M SOOOOO sick of the bad rap !!!! I started with steve damasco 7 years ago..
am currently training with one of his students in wallingford conecticut, now that ussd is divided.

[Kenpodog]

American kempo, ed parker schools, villari schools, and yes even united studio schools teach a very effective kenpo/kempo style. In the hands of a well practiced martial artist, these techniques are deadly.

AMEN, Brother or Cousin,
It's all Kenpo, It's All Good!!!

[robertlee]

American kempo, ed parker schools, villari schools, and yes even united studio schools teach a very effective kenpo/kempo style. In the hands of a well practiced martial artist, these techniques are deadly.Dont get mad yet, the problem with these styles is that as americans, we want to purchase our next belt and move forward. It took great men a lifetime to develope a system that was designed for preservation of their family lineage. they practiced a lifetime and felt unworthy of their masters while we attend a class twice a week and never or rarely practice and cant wait to tie on our blackbelts and do our 45 second form or kempo with little or nomore realization than tieing our shoes. Its not the system thats failed the student, but the student thats failed the system.

You wopuld remember That as the need for what was known as karate jutsu. Chngaed. To karate do. The training did get softer. The true ways was to train for the higher degree of self defence. But times changed after the gun and The way of life began to change. BUT any fighting art as long as a person trains to be a fighter can work. Even ti chi. As it to was about the oldest Kung fu art. Then more towards internal health training. It to if a person so minded be brought to a defence art. BUT the person there self has to be the one that trains that way. IN any art. You will see some who get very good and alot that basiicly miss the boat. Just as the boxer how many people box and how many make it to the top. JUST a few. those that pushed there self to go beyond the next person. Asking more from there self. There is just so many ways to hit kick or go to the ground. And all arts. Have a foundation. Then a person that can build from that into a real representive of what they can do. Its do you want it bad enough to go the limit. If not you will only be as good as you make your self be.

[shaolin-warrior]

American kempo, ed parker schools, villari schools, and yes even united studio schools teach a very effective kenpo/kempo style. In the hands of a well practiced martial artist, these techniques are deadly.Dont get mad yet, the problem with these styles is that as americans, we want to purchase our next belt and move forward. It took great men a lifetime to develope a system that was designed for preservation of their family lineage. they practiced a lifetime and felt unworthy of their masters while we attend a class twice a week and never or rarely practice and cant wait to tie on our blackbelts and do our 45 second form or kempo with little or nomore realization than tieing our shoes. Its not the system thats failed the student, but the student thats failed the system.

[jubaji]

because americans are lazy. .

Speak for yourself, bitch.

[Kenpodog]

you want the truth,

I can't handle the truth, but let me have it anyway!!

probably 95% of "martial arts" taught in america are useless on the street no matter what the style or how much "sparring" you do.

Then I want to learn what they do on the street so I can defeat 95% percent of all Martial Artist!! Ha Ha Ha (maybe I didn't want the truth after all.)

[Britt]

I thought Jigaro Kano invented the colored belt progession system.

[Streetprince]

so thats where the different belts came from?

[matsushorinryu]

Just my Opinion

The fact that there even has to be a conversation about karate being effective would make the old okinawan masters roll over in their graves. If you want the truth, probably 95% of "martial arts" taught in america are useless on the street no matter what the style or how much "sparring" you do. We have sold out masters like Fusei Kise to thank for the commercialization of the art. I think that the biggest prank okinawans ever played on america is our versions of karate. it all became about money, and has become watered down. Most of you who post on this site, including myself, would probably not be able to handle old fashioned karate training. Karate was invented to defend ones self and family, so yes karate itself can be very effective. As for watered down American versions of the art, no they can't. Most american schools that teach the absolute traditional way don't have many students if any, and end up praticing in basements, not big fancy dojos because americans are lazy. we want to see results fast...we don't want to work for what we get, hence the implementation of a colored belt system as opposed to just white and black.

[KotoRyu]

Who's one of the baddest fighters in K-1? Francisco Filho. What's his background? Kyokushin karate.

End of discussion

[Uke]

To be honest, being a great fighter and being effective in the streets can be two different ballgames.

I know TMA karate men from both Shotokan and Goju in NY, and they are phenomenal fighters that would easily take out 85% of the JKD guys that I know. However, they are amazing athletes despite their arts, and very strong and fast. Fighting bouts takes stamina, strength, and speed. A solid street system doesn't require tremendous strength and athleticism. Self defense techniques have more to do with timing, speed and fluidity than power, strength and size. If that wasn't true than there would be no women self defense instructors, and there are some fantastic ones like Linda Ramzy Ranson who I've seen handle men.

Any TMA needs an overhaul in order to grow with the times. Karate is no exception. I agree with alot of things posted on this thread. Some I don't.

Kata doesn't need to be removed, just revamped as one step in the overhaul.

Belt factories will always exist, as I said above, Martial Arts today is business.

Sparring should NEVER be segregated. You'll never learn how to fight people of different sizes, strengths, ages.

I would not spend half the time ground grappling as putting that much emphasis on ground grappling would mean I advocate it as a means of urban warfare, which I don't. As I've said before, ground grappling should only be used to learn the fastest ways to escape the guard and mount, and reverse submissions. That's it. Being on your feet keeps you alive, not wrestling on the floor where you can't defend against weapons, multiple attackers or just simply run.

Strong low kicks have been in shotokan and definitely in Goju, so I don't agree. They've always been in Philipino arts like Kuntao as well as Savate.

Also, it is very necessary to practice wristlocks, eye gouges and such. Not because of the learning curve, but because it helps the practitioner to feel more comfortable doing damaging moves that they may be reluctant to do. Most people only "soft touch" when doing poison hand techniques. But with proper armor and headgear, they can put the full extent of their aggression into their technique. That's why in rape prevention classes, the uke or "live dummy" always has the full body suit on. So that women can get a feel of what its like to eye gouge, kick to the groin and strike to the throat full strength without pulling their punches like point karate.

[Tai Chi Fighter]

Ah

You see my name is Tai Chi Fighter because I have studied Tai Chi Chuan longer than I have studied Karate.