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