Ok so I watched it 5 times in a row. Now I will go home and finally tell my wife how I feel about her bossing me around all the time!! Shielding Hammer here we go!!
It's a pretty art, but all of that fancy stuff simply doesn't work in a violent street altercation. In my experience of being in the security field and fighting larger and multiple opponents I'd STRONGLY suggest a combination of Muay Thai, Krav Maga and Wing Chun Bil Jee. The basics can be committed to mental and muscle memory fairly easily.
@@notyou8716 We all share experiences, in some degree, of the real world. The method of Kenpo which are demonstrated in its technique sequences are A, not THE, way of teaching principles and concepts of movements. They are patterns, as in any method out there. BJJ, Boxing, Wrestling, Judo, Karate, etc etc, follow patterns of movements which teach principles to be ingrained into the human mind. Some of Kenpo may be a bit overblown, but take the ideas and work with them. It is conceptual. I personally have studied this method, applying with it with boxing, wrestling, and judo/Aiki. Add to that stick and knife, as well as, information from the likes of Lee Morrison, Geoff Thompson. Working with other sources, like Krav Maga and Wing Chun (which you find in Kenpo's free style: B1a, B1b, etc), and what you, after years of practice and application, discover is you create what works for you. Just like Bruce Lee's philosophy in Jeet Kune Do, you learn to cut back and apply what is useful for yourself. Nothing fancy about any thing if you see past the fog.
Yup the only thing that was what made him unusable in follywood was he was a genuine 100 percent great human being.who refused to back stabb and bad mouth others and he looked put for every single person he worked with from costars to the production crew the my crap don't stink now so don't talk to me or address me as such he refused insisting they call him by jisname or buddy friend and on the same level as equals got him major respect unfortunately not with the big wigs
Not to knock Kenpo, but they have a lot of extraneous terms to describe simple techniques. For instance, he is in an open stance, he blocks with this right forearm, then elbow strike to the jaw, then drops fist into a groin strike, step back and step back into a defensive posture. Many different martial arts use similar techniques but we don't call it "Height Zone", "Matching Distance" or "Neutral Bow" which seems like a steep curve to learn terms for pretty simple concepts you can explain in english words like: Drop your hips, slide back and open stance.
By having a humble attitude and showing proper respect, a true martial artist shows to his or her seniors and Instructors that he or she is worthy of receiving higher knowledge and that they aren't likely to abuse the skills imparted to them.
Jeff knows how to show correct techniques, it doesn't replace a real lesson, but comes as close as one can. Deepest respect to Jeff Speakman and his skills.
This is an awesome version of shielding hammer because the original version of this technique was done with a step through left hook which is never done in boxing or mma making it a shuffle hook makes the technique actually functional and effective because it doesn’t make train against a punch you will almost never have to deal with thank you Jeff Speakman
I've always been impressed with Mr. Speakman as to how incredibly fast he moves his hands towards his opponent. It's like his attacks are a blur. He should expand his dojo to Canada. I would love to learn Kenpo Karate.
I love is Chanel it's like being in your class. You still have it. Love for you to do a perfect weapon 2 thank you for your time from Richmond Virginia usa
I liked this. Watching Kenpo demonstrations, I've sometimes wondered how the techniques could generate enough power to actually be effective, as on the surface they often look fast but light-handed. Jeff provides some hints here how force can actually be generated with those techniques, and I found the subject intriguing.
Its nice in a training seasson but in a real life combat situation it would most likely not work, your enemy would never stand still he would move, fall back attack from different angles. Its not realistic although it looks nice. Do some real sparring with full resistance and full gear on and try to hit and resist as hard as possible, i don't think it would work.
@@JimEverette Hmm if it works against an mma fighter i would be convinced but you could be wright about the mugger, if he is not suspecting resistance and you build up the courage to strike first and strike hard, well i guess it could work. But it could be dangerous against someone wilding a knife or even a gun giving you a false sense of selfencouragement getting yourself leathaly ingured in the end. So it could go both ways. THe most important part of a martial art or self defense is real life pressure to simulate a street situation as close as possible i guess. If you practise that regulary it could work.
Mark Smith I went to high school with Rick Fowler who taught and formulated kata for all of Ed Parker's kenpo karate schools in America at the time I was in my early 20's, who was a contemporary of Jeff Speakman, though I don't know if they knew each other. Rick still teaches kenpo in Irving, Texas. If you want a perfect example of what a true kenpo teacher is and cannot reach Mr. Speak man, I would recommend Mr. Fowler.
If you're a fighter dude and you like to watch martial arts clips, this is something you have to look into. It's just very interesting stuff. If you're into 2D fighter games like Streetfighter VS Capcom or Virtua Fighter, this should draw you in, too. It's kinda ridiculously cool, to think of 5+ strike combos on someone. It could even be said that the model for 2D fighter games is American Kenpo, unless you play Cyclops, in Street Fighter VS Marvel. Then it's just spam 'body height' optic blast. Also. Really glad Speakman made a full recovery from cancer.
I was told that Mr. Parker's techniques came from a one strike and done situation. It was something I personally experienced when someone attacked me for real in a Five Swords situation. First strike was the last strike. I love the fact that Kenpo is taylored to the student's abilities so it works for everyone. Once 2 students reach Brown belt, the way they perform each technique varies according to their own style of Kenpo.
I live in las vegas and went to kenpo 5.0. He is still blazin fast. Back in 99 I trained with Sufu Polo Amaro who trained under Al Farnsworth who implemented his system called jeet kenpo. Principles & speed of kenpo w/ wing Chung techniques mixed w/jujitsu, judo, aikido,taekwondo,& boxing
This is insane. So to counter one particular punch you need an elaborate multi-step system that includes groin strikes, eye pokes, height changes, parrying, slapping your own ribs, etc. I mean, maybe it works, but at this rate you'd have to memorize thousands of moves, all with crazy Shenmue-esque names, to master the art.
I actually agree with that ..simplicity is always preferred..also multiple strikes like that waste energy and there is no guarantee that in a free sparing all will land..actually most wont..
PubliusAfricanus a black belt is a masters degree in unarmed combat, so it will be more complex than simply "I punch you, you punch me." When I took kenpo it was required to write a thesis on a subject given to you by your Sifu. If all you want is "wham bam thank you ma'am", carry a club. The difference between a mater and a thug is that a master may only use a few blows, the same as the thug, but he has years of grueling effort to condition both mind and body to teach you how to deal with more complex problems should they arise!
PubliusAfricanus what you are saying is a valid point, but the idea is to condition your reflexes to respond to the attack. Practice 10 blows so that they become muscle memory, and in a real fight you will react without conscious thought, by instinct, and deliver at least 5 blows before you are consciously aware of the threat. In a real fight, you can't afford to focus all your attention on one opponent, because while you hit one guy 10 times, his friends have beat the stuffing out of you! You hit one guy once and check to see if he has help, then turn to the others, and then go back to the first. But FIRST stop the guy you can reach easiest, the closest threat.
You don't need an elaborate multi-step system. But you need to explore the chances that your first defense failed, so why not have a back-up to it? These are only possible responses, and not the complete defense alone. In the real world things fail. So, you need something to back up you.
Fine job, well done. I appreciate you taking the time to make the video and carrying on the hard work and memory of Ed Parker. Please keep up the good work.
I found as a woman that kenpo was the best for self defense. They teach you multiple strikes in case one misses...you keep going! They teach you locks, getting out of grabs, knife attacks, stick attacks, chokes, grabs from behind, etc. Without all the flashy wasted high kicks or spinning in the air.....that's what was important to me. Its about protecting yourself 100%. Its a great self defense martial art. I love the hand speed and redirecting of force (similar to wing chun) to throw your opponent off balance.
Now go test your Kenpo skills against someone who resists 80% (boxer, grappler, street fighter, bigger person) , and see how it works in real time. Then you can report how things went.
Ju-jutsu, Aikido and others would have the escapes, the grapples, the pain submissions, etc. We did do knife disarms, stick disarmed (baton size and staff size), kick and punch defenses. And it is a form of defense that relies on using the enemy's force (and if they aren't exerting energy, then they aren't hurting you except perhaps orally). Krav Maga or some of the more purpose build systems that want to keep you alive would have all sorts of what most dojos from traditional systems would consider dirty fighting. The best lessons you can learn to protect yourself is awareness, knowing how to get hit and keep moving and trying to engage or fight back, and enough basic options to keep yourself out of a grapple and takedown or to avoid just a straight out bludgeoning.
No disrespect intended just making a comment. I have been through a few instructors over the years due to moving around the country. Some know the techniques and simplify everything for their student and some teach as Mr. Parker taught. If you watch some old vids of Mr. Parker teaching advanced classes this is how he talked. He explained the "WHY" of doing things. Talking in terms of, height, width, and depth zones. marriage of gravity, economy of motion, opposing forces, etc.
sensei jeff speakman, great video. i hope you do more, it would help me alot. im a 1rst degree black, and i have been realy inspired by the way you execute the forms and the techniques. im really trying to be the best and be like ou. take care master.
Jeff, You and I were coming up at about the same time Kenpo. This is also known as maintaining the gap when freestyling. We can also open the gap or close the gap, simplified. I remember when Parker choose you for the movie, great job, our common ground, Larry Tatum.
@Lisuilong73 Wrong, Kenpo is all about the flow of the technique from one strike to the other. Most "techniques" in Kenpo are designed to teach a concept rather that "if attacked this way, move left foot, counter with right hand, etc.". This is designed to train the Kenpoist to be spontaneous. The trapping of Wing Chun and the double-factor and checking concept of Kenpo all come from the same basic Chuan-Fa foundation, but took different paths.
Not even a 4min video, yet it explains shielding hammer in 30 sec and at full speed is less than 8 sec, meanwhile explaining a century worth of knowledge... Invaluable information. Go buy Kenpo 5.0 and just give Jeff Speakman all the money in the world.
The more I see these negative comments on Kenpo goes to show how much more it is misunderstood. Just like any other martial art, the sequences taught are not how you would use them in a real situation. Kenpo is deep, like scary deep on how far it can go. Most people, people only see the surface of the water, not knowing the real danger lies in deeper.
Try training in martial art for a number of years then criticize. Oh that's right, this is the generation of fast food martial arts. Then go to a MMA gym and in 6months you ready. sorry, I'm old school.
It's not old school to value artistry and to not deliberately do harm to your opponent. Martial arts is designed to harmonize and unite energies and the art form embodies elements that are gentle, soft, fluid and hard. I don't care for the desecration of martial arts that is perpetrated by MMA and UFC which is porn in my eyes.
@John Smith Most modern versions of Martial arts are exactly what you say. But, when you mention Traditional M.A. think about that for a moment. The word, "Tradition" means, "the physical transmission of knowledge from one generation to another." This would describe any method, whether boxer, Jujitsuist, Muay Thai, etc. It is knowledge passed along. Correct knowledge is the problem with the modern version of M.A. It is not M.A. any more, more like sport fighting, in the sense of not real. It is a business, and most people do not want to get hurt, or can afford to get hurt. Some want self defense, but can't afford to get bruised up if they work jobs that such bruising would not look good on them. When you speak of a boxer using elbows and palms, and simple takedown techniques, they are taught through the old style M.A. But the focus is on money these days. There are those M.A. styles like Kajukenbo, that are rough and tumble, at least the ones from Hawaii. Read up on the history of that system. Kajukenbo was created between 1947 and 1949 at Palama Settlement on Oahu, Hawaii. It developed out a group calling themselves the "Black Belt Society", which consisted of black belts from various martial arts backgrounds who met to train and learn with each other. Adriano Emperado, along with brother Joe Emperado started teaching the system.
@John Smith This is not a boxing match. It's self defense. If they (other than MMA) are challenged in the street. They will take your eyes, throat, ears, knees, liver, and run like hell. No martial art including my own makes a person invincible. The will to survive is not the same thing as fighting in a controlled environment for prize money. Most real martial artists find humor in those who believe their art is best for all situations. Most MMA people I have met lack discipline and respect, and are way way way overconfident. That will get your ass kicked or worse.
USAFORMERUSMC Absolutely. Self defense is no rules defense including eyes, throat, carotid arteries, knees, elbows, ripping off ears, you name it. It’s not a controlled match on the street when lives are at stake.
man I loved Jeff going up in his movies when I was a kid. But Mike God after watching this instruction video now I know why Bruce Lee said fuck that classical mass and fixed positions and movements. Eye gouge, kick nuts, strike throat, fight over
My instructor always explained that these technique sequences like "Shielding Hammer", "Five Swords" etc are to learn following movements and hit multiple times in sequence. The full technique might have ten separate strikes and even if the opponent blocks a couple or is in the wrong position for a strike to hit properly there is still another 7 or 8 strikes that are going to hit and work.
2:52 Leave it to a kenpo-ist to pretend there's something "new" or inventive about something they are doing by giving it a fancy name like, in this case, 'Directional Harmony Principal'. After the left-hand eye poke, he turns into the strike with the back fist. Yeah, that's 'striking with the hips/stance', employed in countless styles (Western and Eastern) that predate Kenpo. He then talks about how this principal allows you to avoid winding up for the strike, which is true, but then see him 'rebound' off his left ribs by bringing that hand all the way back. You can call it a 'rebound' all you want, but that's still a wind up.
By trying to be overskilled you actually are less skilled than, say, a muay thai guy becoming an expert at the shin kick. Under pressure you'll seize up while a muay thai guy will unleash that one shin kick
I would love to see a fighting game character (Tekken, Dead or Alive, Street Fighter, etc.) who uses American Kenpo. Such a character would probably emphasize counters and rapid-fire strikes. Bonus points if he or she has an Elvis impersonator alternate costume (Elvis Presley was not only a student of Kenpo founder Ed Parker, but was a black belt in the art as well)
In answering the question on the insanity of Kenpo, it is a simple matter of understanding principles. Kenpo is complex, but can be looked at as having followups. In reality you will never really need so multiple followups to an attack if your being strikes worked effectively. Kenpo teaches you to continue and to be fluid in your responses if the first strikes did not operate. In Shielding hammer, if your block (or the strike that it really is) does not do it function then you are trained to respond to continue until the attacker or attackers can no longer continue, and your escape it made. And in reality you will respond as you are trained to, whether in the street, or freestyle sparring. Also consider that your attacker will not be standing still for you to do this. But as in training you having continuing levels to train under. Any martial science will teach this. Whether you agree with the idea or not, at least have an open mind to what is represented.
A real fight is so quick and fast that you would be foolish to think you can pull of several counters like that as if this was a video game. Kenpo is very odd , indeed
The basic idea is to condition your reflexes to respond automatically to the attack on yourself. In a stressful situation the most common response is to be caught like a deer in the headlights and freeze up. By teaching ten techniques where only one or two are needed, you insure that at least you will respond reflexively, having performed the defense thousands of time in class, rather than freezing up. And , just like walking which you do without thinking of the individual steps in TAKING steps, because you do it all the time, you just DO it!
The idea is to get you to respond by reflex, because if you have to think about a fight, you will loose it! Teach the student a sequence of moves to practice 20 times a day, and he will respond without thinking about it, like someone walking across a floor will not think about the 4 separate decisions involved in making a single step.
I have read some of the comments and many are saying that it's too complicated or too many moves to remember. The thing about American kenpo is that the more advanced moves like in these 5.0 videos are not taught until much later. Kenpo techniques start with the most basic at the white and yellow belt level and they expand the higher you go. Learning moves like this would never be taught until you were able to be proficient in the less complicated techniques. Speed striking like this is a trademark of kenpo. Not all of the strikes will land perfectly but there is so much going on it confuses and disorients your opponent which allows the opportunity for you to land the big blow at the end which, by the way, is not always a groin strike.
It only disorients the opponent if he's fragile enough to be hurt by those short-range backfist and elbow strikes. I can tell even Speakman isn't delivering enough impact to stun an 18 year old angry athletes.
@MrByaeger Sir, the solution to the "chaos" situation of real combat is simply to practice Shielding Hammer vs the boxing 1-2 aaand the power jab. and the 1-2 knee, 1-2 kick, etc.
I would insert a front snap kick before the hammer to the nose. It would help avoid the potential right-cross follow up. After the kick I'd proceed as follows
Always left leg front kick at the opponents top leg above knee then inside right leg to inside left leg opponents knee cap. Never use my arms or hands intill my opponents is on their knees. Feet 1st always.
interesting theory about older styles and big movement... I've met many Tai Chi men who take that long movement from practice and shorten it right up in application, Long path to short path. The force that those strikes have is beyond belief for the small distance used. Long path is great for training balance, relaxation in the strike and muscle memory. It all leads to great force when shortened and like the crack of a bullwhip, it takes a lot of practice. All worth it in the end. Peace.
I like this approach the best. No nonsense no paddy cake slapping Curly and Moe stuff but straight to the point. I would use judo and the first two thirds of Ed Parker techniques and leave it be.
@fuzzcentralage very good question..techniques and drills are just reference points, same as in boxing or grappling. it would be really great if the attacker just hit once and froze as we did our thing. but you know that doesn't happen and hopefully instructors know this too. real fights are chaos, but chaos is hard to practice. while i personally don't train in a strict kenpo system there are alot of practical things within it that can be applied to any art.
A fair percentage of fights, the defender has no idea the first strike is coming and isn't really aware he's about to get sucker punched, kicked, etc. Training helps, but if you don't see the shot coming and you aren't with adrenalin switched up, the first shot can take you out of the fight. A friend of mine, 2nd Dan in Aikido, spent quite a bit of time doing Escrima/Arnis, short-arm Kung fu, and Aikijitsu and who was about 230 lbs. and had biceps like my tight (farming origin), was walking down the street with a friend. Some guys were saying some crap and his friend replied and they started in on his friend (his friend didn't have good sense). He came to his friends assistance, but being as there were quite a few of them, he didn't see one use a car as cover and as he moved to help his friend, he got sucker punched. His nose was broken, his glasses were knocked off, and the nose hit meant he literally could see nothing but red. (Being hard to knock down and a guy who gets his adrenalin up fast when some slugs him, he waited till one of them tried to come in close for a good slug and even not being able to see, he landed a punch and if he punched you solid, you're out of the fight) But the point is even training and experience in a variety of systems can't stop the fight from starting suddenly and with a sucker punch and the first shot can take you out or at least vastly limit your ability to respond. At other times, trained reflexes matter. Another friend in the reserves was in a bar and a townie decided to hassle him, he tried to disengage (my friend's adrenalin had switched up and he knew he was in a threat situation) and the guy grabbed him, so my friend popped the assailant a light one between the eyes simply to get his attention and then tried to disengage. He though he'd disengaged successfully as the guy seemed momentarily stunned and was trying to move away when he heard something and saw a flash of silver (the townie had pulled a knife and planned to carve from his hairine to his throat). My pal reacted, blocked the knife hand partially (got a slight facial scratch from the very tip of the knife as he deflected it partly), held the guy's arm, continued rotating with the attacker's energy and fell on the guy's arm and broke it. No fuss from the cops (the other guy had a knife). So there's a lot of difference in responses and ability to block, dodge, or sustain a hit depending on your awareness of threat and the adrenalin being at least half-way switched up.
@Louis Torres I was saying that if you're slow you would need the other person to be still. Than you slowly build up speed with your partner. I'm not saying I'm faster in anyway
I’ve studied with Mr. Sensei Jeff speakman In Phoenix Arizona and in Lake arrowhead and Redwood California This is the best martial arts in the whole wide world this is my journey in my life Kenpo Karate 5.0 Systems lose the Smoke keep the flame 🔥
If you guys watched the video you would have answered your own question about kenpo is not used in the UFC because the moves are lethal like some kung fu systems and would be illegal like the groin strikes arm breaks leg breaks eye strikes and throat strikes they train for real life fighting not a sport
3:00 ... Why is he saying old styles didn't teach short power? All the southern styles had it (wing chun, southern mantis, white eyebrow). And the 3 internal styles had it (tai chi, hsing-i, bagua). I even saw a branch of northern mantis practicing it. Ed Parker may have been forced to discover it on his own, but to say the old styles didn't have it is incredibly ignorant.