Kenpo Techniques Don't Work | Response to "Art Of One Dojo"

I have a 3rd degree black belt in Kenpo, and I agree with everything you have said. I also train in BJJ. Kenpo has served me well in terms of reaction time, confidence, and situational control. Against untrained opponents, I wouldn't need anything else but Kenpo. The moment they are trained, my BJJ training comes into play.

There’s a lot of bullshido out there for sure but nowadays every UFC nerd thinks nothing works except BJJ, it’s a cult. BJJ is the CrossFit of martial arts.

Watching the way you move and strike... Lets all of us know you are a weak little man.... anyone disgracing Kenpo is foolish...

Kenpo is not a sport..; It is and has always been a combative art...and that is why the UFC made rule and rule addressing kenpo techniques from day one.... have a nice day

Basic Tracy American Kenpo.. simple effective techniques...like basic boxing...build up in skills.

You're totally right. I did a Kenpo derivative MA and it is movie choreography. Whenever we spared in the gym, all of Kenpo went out the window and we became pseudo Muai Thai fighters. Thanks for the video because I never put puzzle pieces together and realized what was really going on.

your an idiot Compliance partner fighting drills or any other wack wack should never ever be accepted into any type of Martial arts because then its just a bunch a dohickey.

I studied Kempo in New Zealand and Australia from the 80s to early 2000s, at a school which incorporated early Parker Kenpo techniques. They were far simpler than what you see now, in most instances a block/check/joint manipulstion/throw and one or two strikes.

A lot of them like x-block come from old JuJitsu self defence techniques, others from applying karate basics and kata like Naihenchi/Tekki Shodan. It is unsuprising since Parker credited James Mitose with introducing them in Hawaii in "Infinite Insights into Kenpo 1" and we now know that it is likely that he learned from Motobu Choki, who used similar techniques in his Kenpo. You can see a lot of the techniques in photos in the later volumes of the Infinite Insights series.

Five swords was the only exception, a block and six strikes. It was a good way to practice the body movements for a rapid flurry of effective techniques as targets present. I find the techniques coming out in sparring at the Krav Maga school I most recently trained at.

I did a session with Speakman and got the impression that he may be responsible for introducing a lot of the complexity. He did however emphasise that he considered the techniques exercises in movement and he also highlighted the need for good basics from stance, to encourage power.

In doing so he related that Parker had taken him and three other senior students aside befire he died, and instructed them to reemphisise stances. Apparently he was concerned that to many instructors were teaching speed at all cost, which had resulted in techniques that are almost meaningless.

All in all the 80s era Kempo thst I learned has served me well, I can match it in sparring with the senior students in other schools that I have trained with and have self defence solutions for most unarmed standing attacks. I have successfully defended myself on a couple of occasions, so I know it works.

Krav has given me far better weapons defences and groundwork though, but you dont get the same cultivation of power that you get in Kempo and other Karate schools.

Sounds like kempo jealousy

Fistlaw is badazz period.

You can not do kenpo with gloves on. Lol

I started with muay thai i continued the sport for about 4 years then i moved to judo and then kenpo Im currently at purple belt and i am fascinated at how practical self defence moves kenpo has to offer. Now i kinda mixed it with judo and muay thai its a well rounded art give it a try you'd be surprised!

My definiition of a Parker Kenpo technique: A series of moves against a specific line or lines of attack to illustrate one or more principles of motion.
I agree w ArtofOneDojo that they can also be thought of as katas. The idea for me is to drill the moves until the become extemporaneous. Because of the complexity of the concepts it takes some time, but once understood these concepts can be applied to any martial art, which I did during the 1990's when I spent much time giving Kenpo seminars to various schools of other systems. Like some others sharing their experience here, my own includes security work, bouncing in a bar, MMA competition, law enforcement, and military. In each of these instances applying and teaching the principles of motion found in Kenpo was met with much success. When I saw my first Kenpo class with Huk Planas I'd already spent 15 years studying threee different styles of martial arts. This background allowed me to appreciate the sophistication of the Kenpo system all the more and I remember thinking this is what I've been looking for. I have gone on to study other systems including BJJ and Kali, but always find that incorporating the principles of Kenpo shores up any gaps. I once asked Dan Inosanto in 1988 which martial art he thought was the best and his response was basically the one that worked best for the individual. I think this is a truism. Enjoy the Journey...

Wherever you got your idea of Kenpo, L.
Kenpo is meant to defend your life, not for games.
A Kenpo fighter would disarm his opponent extremely fast by breaking a limb, damaging the throat, or stabbing an eye.
Knee strikes to vital areas Elbows strikes to vital Areas, full power stomp kicks and spinning back fists.
1 proper connection, and you will be down. Kenpo is not dancing.

Sparring is not fighting. Kenpo techniques work but is not used in sparring because sparring is a game of tag. Kenpo techniques are aimed at weak parts of the body and is designed to devastate the opponent. To spar you can't punch to the throat, rake to the eyes, kick out the knee, sometimes you can't even kick to the groin let alone rip it with a tiger claw, you cant cup to the ear, you can't break someones arm or leg or neck, you can't hit full force against a joint to hyper-extend it or break it, you can't strike to the spine, or gouge out an eye, you can't strike to the bicep or to the calf to disable the opponent and finish them off. You can't snap someone's elbow, break their nose or their jaw. Sparring teaches a lot of bad habits and is just a game. You spar toe to toe with a street fighter I don't care what kind of black belt you are you will lose!

I believe Edmund Parker Sr's American Kenpo could come to good use if combined with Adriano Emperado's Kajukenbo, William Chun Sr' Go Shin Jitsu Kai, and Ralph Castro's Shaolin Kenpo

I think, you need to fight against kempo fighters to see how they kick but without worrying about how many hits to the body did he or she throw before spin kicking the hell out of me! It’s not the routine, it’s the practice!

I understand and respect your opinion. But a lot of movements in most Martial Arts, like doing Kata, are for training and for learning the techniques. Much like boxers working a speed bag or heavy bag, it is simply learning the movements.
Of course the best way is to train with an opponent that is "fighting" back.
I also agree with you on some of the movements that have like a million moves. It looks great, but would never work in a real fight.
I've watched Kenpo guys spar and basically they kickbox. I never really saw them pulling their techniques during sparring.
To be able to defend yourself, you have to roll and spar as much as you can with another person and hope that you never have to use your skills in a real fight.
A real fight isn't pretty and fancy doesn't work.

All martial arts are " useless " in a street fight complete waste of time for real case scenario in hand to hand combat

I was lucky to have meet Benny the jet urquidez I asked him the same question everybody asked does kenpo work ? He said kenpo work I made it work for me and he’s right kenpo works its up to any individual to make work

Bottom line... fuck the argument of "concept" no show a full set applied, because any strike can pass as karate/kungfu. But the system/style of bjj, judo, SEA, Kipura, wrestling, boxing... their setups/tactical application/ correspondence to a training/ untrained person is distinguishable clearly. Again ANY standard Jap/Chi/Kor/Oki system can interchange a hammer/back first /4chamber kicks.

When you see a savage, thai or boxing practitioner hit a 3-5 peice, ppl like the former ufc female champ Johanna enjchek (yes I car crashed her name) counter and hit ppl with like 7 hit bag combos then flow into more heat?... that's what I mean.

To be clear, Kenpo (fist law) is a mother art. There and many systems and styles like Chinese Kenpo, Okinawan Kenpo, Hawaiian Kempo etc. These arts are all very different but it appears you want to focus on the technique based system of American Kenpo developed by Mr Ed Parker. Let me assure you that what Mr Parker developed and applied is very very far from what well intended practitioners post on the internet today. I was taught by Ed Parker and was an instructor at his school in West Los angeles in the early 80's. For some context you may not be aware, Mr Parker grew up in Kalihi, a rough neighborhood of honolulu. He realized what was being taught as self defense at the time was impractical hence he wanted to develop a system that could be used on the streets of today. He utilized many practical and scientific principals in the development of American Kenpo. Unfortunately after his passing much of the information he taught has been lost in translation or never taught at all, much like the school room game of telephone. Much of what we see these days are posted by well meaning kenpo enthusiasts and hobbyists. They have no intention of fully mastering their art let alone going pro. To be clear, in 95% of street altercations you have an opportunity for self defense technique. In the altercations I have been involved in I have never pulled off an entire sequence, Nor are we supposed to. That is not the point of self defense. Mr Parker told us many times the techniques are Ideas, to be pulled apart, arranged, altered, added to or deleted depending on the situation at hand. It is NEVER about the sequence. Let me be crystal clear, it is NEVER and has NEVER been about sequence. Each movement within the technique is a technique itself. People miss this and try to do a sequence as fast as possible. Mr Parker always reminded us that "speed Kills". You mentioned the what if. It is a crucial part of developing awareness. Anticipating various counters to your technique is necessary. Ed Parkers Kenpo offers you a plan b, c, d, e, etc. Never assume you're going to pull off what you think you can.

Has this clown ever been in a fight?🥴🤡 besides the time in 4th grade he got his ass kicked,or played tag with his cheap ass gi on,or rolling with Bjj,on carpet doing what he claims others do but laying on your back,I can see your a full cup of tardation, when's your next class

Real Kenpo/Kenpo is the study of studying Martial Arts,so it's mma before the name,we work on everything, ground & up, it's the most dynamic dangerous art,if(if) you are in a real dojo this shit comes from life or death & from Mitose up to who I've learned from & myself have actually used in the streets of life or over seas

Remember Kenpo isn't designed for a sport or point fighting going back & forth it's up close & personal locks,breaks, chokes,take you off balance & devastating strikes, people that are slow thinkers won't go far or comprehend it's capabilities, plus many schools just aren't up to the standard, although if you know how to trace a legit practioner you should

For one it's not designed for 3 or 4 hrs a week, for two 98% of dojo's are watered down & sell black belts it's bad, Real Kenpo/ Kenpo is the study of all arts, ground fighting to stick fighting,the techniques are short katas, it's nothing more than an excercise to drill into your motor muscle skills the balance, power generation, timing etc.

i love this guy. his so to the point.

i meamt kempo sorry for the miss spelling

i am a 10th dan in jempo. and your so right. the fighting scene you showed being the second one. if that fight was real. the first 2 moves would get a person down. not have to use all those moves.

No, you are not looking at traditional Okinawan Kenpo which was not designed as a sport, but as a defense against armed invaders.

Instead of over analyzing it and running your mouth why don't you train in it for awhile and then apply it to the street to see if it works. Other people have. Ed Parker who created American Kenpo had fought in the streets and defending himself successfully every time. And if you are still not convinced try throwing your right cross or one of your kicks at Jeff Speakman ( the guy featured in your video ) and see what happens.
And contrary to what you believe you can do a combination of strikes, it's called finishing off your opponent. Especially with the speed and power a Kenpo practitioner has. And they are usually hitting the most vulnerable sensitive areas on the body. If you rake your fingers across his eyes, hit his throat and kick his groin you think maybe he would be at your mercy and you could do all those follow up movements ? But majority of the time you wouldn't need to hit him with so many strikes and he would just drop or run away but better to be safe than sorry.

EPAK was my first art when I was a teenager. My instructor though, didn't think Kenpo was the end all be all like many do, so he mixed other things in such as kickboxing-ish sparring on a regular basis. A year into the art, I got in a street altercation and it was the kickboxing skills that saved me, not the Kenpo because guess what!?!? Mofos don't stand frozen in time so that you can execute your drawn out sequence. People are very dynamic. That being said, I think Kenpo is fine as a supplement to more functional arts that are built on sparring and full-contact competitions.

Long form techniques are great for practical use when your opponent has become incapacitated and can no longer defend themselves, basically like a finishing move in Mortal Kombat. It will look really cool and you will get a ton of style points.

There are multiple reasons for the extended techniques, the most important of which is that the flow can be targeted against multiple opponents in flight, as the longer sequences give you the ability and stamina to adjust seamlessly through position recognition..
As I practice forms in the park, I'm constantly asked to teach my "tai chi", even by former students of other styles... put in your 25 yrs then get back to me🙄😆

Yes they do, you're an idiot.

Yes kenpo works ask the two guys I knocked out one broken nose and one broken jaw sorry yes it works 😮

Why are so many kenpo instructors overweight? To be honest a doughy soft looking guy trained in martial arts is not going to be as effective as a in shape street fighter who has some skill.
Not to mention why train in a martial art that doesnt work against trained fighters?

look up Roger Carpenter, he was a kenpo practitioner who dominated in free sparring fight competitions.

Kenpo don't work? Larry Mr K has open door policy you can see it for yourself if it don't work. Maxdojo in pasadena, go see dont be a wimp.

I respect your opinion and can understand a few of your points. I've been studying kenpo for 20 years and have weeded the small percentage of unusable self defenses that doesn't meet todays opponents. I have also studied supporting martial arts to firm up lost technique for proper execution. In my opinion and experience, kenpo is one of the few disciplines that offer a structured auto kenetic reaction of the opponent.With understanding this involuntary reaction by the opponent, you are effective and efficient for multiple attackers. Again, this is only my field tested opinion. I don’t feel kenpo was ever ment to be used as a sport karate on one opponent and the lethality of the self defense proves this. thank you for your time on this subject and appreciate your video.

Block ..punch.. Reap leg&throw..finish with lock or punch...done!

I dont know much but mastering a technique can mean ending the fight quickly which is what seems to me what kenpo wanta to teach not how many times you hit your opponent

I guess you have never trained or SPARED IN A kENPO garage
Just saying you may wand to ask for an invite before you make a Video

I studied under 3 different Parker black belts for more than a decade. I was also a bouncer at multiple nightclubs. Everything I needed in every street I was in I learned as a white belt. He’s right about everything he says. If you want to be a “martial artist,” learn the techniques and katas, if you want to be a street fighter learn the basic kicks, punches, and blocks and practice them for hours at a time. One thing Kenpo teaches that other styles don’t is breaking checks, groin shots, and eye gouges. That’s a BIG flaw in BJJ, taekwondo, and most other styles.

Learn how to crawl before walk. Do not expect to sprint like Usain Bolt a few years of training.

American Kenpo Karate is a system of combat and self defense, each motions of strikes, punches, kicks, grappling, throws, fingers, blocks, falls, stances, foot maneuvers, sets, forms, weapons, body and mind conditioning, etc. are tools. Obviously you don't need to use every single tool at the same time, just use what you need in your situation, but with more experience and knowledge in kenpo you can create your own variations (combinations) with barehands or gloves, but it's a hard work and there is not shortcut for that.

You don't understand Kempo styles. I trained under Sid Asuncion in Hawaii in the mid 1980s while serving in the US Navy at NAS Barbers Point, Hawaii. I trained in Kenkabo a variation of Kajukembo. This style of self defense is real life street defense. Because when you are in a real confrontation, there's no rules, no referees, no boundaries or time limits, and you may often times find yourself out numbered. That's why we used so little grappling technique. Brazilian jujitsu doesn't work nearly as well in those circumstances. Try taking someone to the ground to apply an arm bar with four of his buddies kicking you in the head 😂😅. I feel so privileged to have had that opportunity. It has saved my life. Real fights don't last long especially if one of the fighters is skilled in a Kempo style. It does take time and dedication to perfect the arts. You get back what you invest. You must condition your body. You need to know and understand proper techniques. You must develop speed and accuracy if you're going to be lethal. As Sid always told us "Speed follows accuracy" and "Rome wasn't built in a day". Kempo styles don't translate well into competition, it is an unrealistic application for the art. In real life there will be no gloves or protective equipment. I spent hours practicing the proper technique for knocking a person's eye out of socket. I've never needed to use that in my life but it is in my tool box if I ever need it. As well as dislocatinf joints, breaking fragile bones, blasting out eardrums, and ripping out throats. Kempo styles are deadly and dangerous, don't ever kid yourself about that. And I hope that some idiot doesn't watch your video and think Kempo practitioner's are easy targets, because they will end up dead or injured for life finding out that they were mistaken.

I'm a 2nd Dan in Kenpo, I went a much different way after that . There are certain things I still LOVE about Kenpo and even use . My take is first, it's not so much that it's to use against untrained people as it is to be used within a certain window of time. BEFORE things turn into a squared off fight . You go from 0 to 100 and and apply constant pressure so the attacker never gets a chance to recover . I think thats a solid concept for any style. Second , I find it a fascinating way to pass on an art , by teaching formalized techniques . As an amateur historian I would love to know where some of them really come from, and stuff like that . I look at Kenpo like this now: It's a library full of short stories that I can pull off a shelf , have a read , and see if theres a concept or moral there that I can apply to my everyday practice. But thats because of all that I learned AFTER I took Kenpo . I'm not bound to the movements at all now because I'm not seeking rank. All I care about is the reaction they can cause against my opponent . It would be fun to take 5 different martial artists and teach them the same technique then have them break it down it do it their own way . My biggest complaint besides a lot of the independent arm movements and overly complicated footwork was the lack of repetitive drills like you see in many other arts . For me those are what help me actually apply what I do in free form . But then I've only trained in one Kenpo style at 1 school so I'm far from an expert on how it's done elsewhere.

Just what you say is correct we need to know your toughs ...only your knowledge ...just people that does what you say are good warriors ...what was first thst egg or you ?? Tell me something what cartel you buy mariguana....we need you....Bruce lee needs you ...i wish to have you before me ....will see how is running your mouth .....

Really almost an on purpose misunderstanding.. Sounds like your propping/selling some UFC program.. Kenpo techniques and Kata are done like every other martial art. They formulate your understanding of the art. American Kenpo was built with efficiency in mind. It actually shortens the time to learn, not lengthens. After about the third belt it has you thinking adaptation.. Ed Parker was a genius. He took all the unnecessary bloat out of old world martial arts and developed a system geared towards the reality of the American streets. Take Tae Kwan Do or Shotokan or any old world style Talk about going the long route. And the purpose is to end the conflict fast like all martial arts. However sparring is done in case it isn't ended or you have no other option. Of course it's not UFC. Most people aren't in it for that anyway. Jeff Speakmans Kenpo 5.0 is good if you want that. But sounds like you wouldnt because your unbalanced comparisons and misunderstanding make it appear as a planned snub..