| 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, | | | | properly used against selected anatomical points of |
| and this form of martial arts has long been regarded | | | | the nervous as well as the circulatory systems. Note |
| as a combination art for the fact that it involves the | | | | that it is also these vital points techniques that will |
| use of hard fist (Karate Do), soft fist (Ju Jitsu) and | | | | temporarily disable an opponent beyond his capability |
| weapons (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 | | | | strength. |
| the 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 |
| Kempo Karate sparring techniques come in. | | | | of Kempo Karate sparring techniques. These |
| Well, the sparring techniques can be classified | | | | techniques are considered to help the students |
| according to the intent of the training. As Ive | | | | develop a sense of self-awareness and |
| mentioned earlier, it is a combination art. It is often | | | | self-expression. As such, the movements involved in |
| used primarily for self defense, self control and for | | | | this level allow the students to develop their reflexes |
| protection from weapons. However, unlike the other | | | | as well as timing in a controlled environment while |
| forms of martial arts, the Kempo Karate style | | | | engaging in a sports activity. This is basically where |
| diverges from traditional Karate in several important | | | | the advanced and combination techniques come in, |
| respects. With this fact, the students who want to | | | | such as the front thrust kick, spinning heel kick, |
| learn the sparring techniques are highly encouraged to | | | | shoulder throw, off balance, roundhouse kick, triple |
| change and adapt the old and modern sparring | | | | jumping crescent kick, etc. |
| 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 |
| Karate sparring for self defense. The first is the | | | | strongly considered in every Kempo training to |
| so-called Tuite or grab hand techniques, and the | | | | increase the students understanding of self defense. |
| other is the vital point attacks or the Kyusho Jitsu. | | | | So it is usual that defense techniques against knives |
| Both of these sparring techniques are highly | | | | and clubs are taught from the yellow belt and up. |
| considered as they help the students develop their | | | | The so-called empty hand sparring techniques such as |
| skills by allowing them to practice with a variety of | | | | the bassai, tomari seisan, sai, kama, nunchaku and |
| threatening situations. The basic self defense | | | | others are also introduced here. Note that both the |
| techniques involve defense against grabs, pushes, | | | | defense against and use of weapons techniques of |
| punches, holds, kicks, and weapon defenses. | | | | Kempo round out the students training to the first |
| The vital points Kempo Karate sparring techniques as | | | | degree black belt, known as shodan. |