| Kempo Karate, also known as Kenpo, is one of the | | | | basically considered as the most striking and |
| most popular forms of Karate that was developed in | | | | sophisticated techniques in the martial arts. They are |
| the West. The word kempo means law of the fist, and | | | | properly used against selected anatomical points of |
| this form of martial arts has long been regarded as a | | | | the nervous as well as the circulatory systems. Note |
| combination art for the fact that it involves the use of | | | | that it is also these vital points techniques that will |
| hard fist (Karate Do), soft fist (Ju Jitsu) and weapons | | | | temporarily disable an opponent beyond his capability |
| (Kobudo). | | | | to retaliate. As what most experts say, in this kind of |
| On the most basic, Kempo Karate teaches sparring | | | | self defense technique, the key is precision, not |
| and sparring drills for one particular purpose to help the | | | | strength. |
| students learn and understand the fundamental | | | | As the students progress in learning the self defense |
| movements as well as the application of the kicking | | | | techniques of Kempo Karate sparring, they will be |
| and punching combinations. This is actually where the | | | | taught with the forms and katas, or the higher level of |
| Kempo Karate sparring techniques come in. | | | | Kempo Karate sparring techniques. These techniques |
| Well, the sparring techniques can be classified | | | | are considered to help the students develop a sense |
| according to the intent of the training. As Ive mentioned | | | | of self-awareness and self-expression. As such, the |
| earlier, it is a combination art. It is often used primarily | | | | movements involved in this level allow the students to |
| for self defense, self control and for protection from | | | | develop their reflexes as well as timing in a controlled |
| weapons. However, unlike the other forms of martial | | | | environment while engaging in a sports activity. This is |
| arts, the Kempo Karate style diverges from traditional | | | | basically where the advanced and combination |
| Karate in several important respects. With this fact, the | | | | techniques come in, such as the front thrust kick, |
| students who want to learn the sparring techniques | | | | spinning heel kick, shoulder throw, off balance, |
| are highly encouraged to change and adapt the old | | | | roundhouse kick, triple jumping crescent kick, etc. |
| and modern sparring techniques. | | | | Finally, Kempo Karate sparring teaches the students |
| There are two major techniques involved in Kempo | | | | how to use weapons. As far as I know, this is strongly |
| Karate sparring for self defense. The first is the | | | | considered in every Kempo training to increase the |
| so-called Tuite or grab hand techniques, and the other | | | | students understanding of self defense. So it is usual |
| is the vital point attacks or the Kyusho Jitsu. Both of | | | | that defense techniques against knives and clubs are |
| these sparring techniques are highly considered as | | | | taught from the yellow belt and up. The so-called |
| they help the students develop their skills by allowing | | | | empty hand sparring techniques such as the bassai, |
| them to practice with a variety of threatening | | | | tomari seisan, sai, kama, nunchaku and others are also |
| situations. The basic self defense techniques involve | | | | introduced here. Note that both the defense against |
| defense against grabs, pushes, punches, holds, kicks, | | | | and use of weapons techniques of Kempo round out |
| and weapon defenses. | | | | the students training to the first degree black belt, |
| The vital points Kempo Karate sparring techniques as | | | | known as shodan. |