As expected, before we get into punches, blocks, and kicks, we need to make sure that you can get into and maintain some of these fundamental stances. You will see in the Tutorial Videos a Detailed Education Video on each of the stances. Don’t feel obligated to watch them start to finish, but we do go into the Street Application of each of these stances if you are so interested!

The Goal for this challenge is to hold each stance for at least 5 seconds while maintaining technique and balance. Good Luck!

I know… this seems like a goofy way to move around… walking is so much easier, right?? I promise you that there is a method to our madness, and if you are so inclined, we do go over the Street Value of this in the Detailed Education Video!

Remember to hold that Flamingo Stance for at least 2 seconds before landing in a proper Half-Moon Stance. Good Luck!

One thing you will notice about our style of Self-Defense is that there is a diversity of strikes. This is due to some strikes are better suited to specific targets than others. Strikes like the Hammer Fist can be done without fear of breaking your wrist. You will see that the Striking Challenges will increase in the requirement for hand dexterity.

In this drill, it is important to show power while maintaining the technical integrity and accuracy of the strikes. Good Luck!

Welcome to your first Kicking Challenge! Kicking is the great equalizer for self-defense! It can keep you a safe distance away, and pretty much everyone (with the right amount of practice) can learn to kick and do some serious damage. This is the first step!

Balance and good technique are key with this challenge. Make sure you stretch your legs properly so that you can snap the kick without injury.

(Part 1 of 3) Well we wouldn’t be a Martial Art if we didn’t have Blocking Challenges! Blocks obviously are critical so that you don’t get hit. You will see that there are various Blocking Systems / Challenges in order to best prepare you for any situation. Remember, there is nothing wrong with looking ahead (in the Challenges/Help Videos). When you do, you will see that you will develop the ability to throw simultaneous targeted counterstrikes while blocking. This is the ultimate in punishing a person that has the gall to try to mess with you!

Note: Just because they are blocks doesn’t mean that they don’t need power. Make sure you put your body into the block so that you can stop anything from coming at you! Good Luck!

(Part 2 of 3) Well we wouldn’t be a Martial Art if we didn’t have Blocking Challenges! Blocks obviously are critical so that you don’t get hit. You will see that there are various Blocking Systems / Challenges in order to best prepare you for any situation. Remember, there is nothing wrong with looking ahead (in the Challenges/Help Videos). When you do, you will see that you will develop the ability to throw simultaneous targeted counterstrikes while blocking. This is the ultimate in punishing a person that has the gall to try to mess with you!

Note: Just because they are blocks doesn’t mean that they don’t need power. Make sure you put your body into the block so that you can stop anything from coming at you! Good Luck!

This is the first of 22 Performance Techniques (required for Black Belt) that have been passed down from the early days of Kempo. I know that they must not look real when doing them, because “Who really punches like that on the street?” That is absolutely true, but Self-Defense has to start somewhere and that somewhere is to get in tune with your body, fine tune it into a lethal weapon, and then develop targeting on another person. You wouldn’t learn to play a sport by jumping into a game immediately, would you?

Anyway, each of these techniques has a fighting principle it is meant to convey, and in this particular technique, it is that the leg is longer than the arm! Don’t let anyone threatening get too close to you without blasting them in the ribs/chest!

Let’s knock this Challenge out of the park! Don’t ask me why they are taught in this weird order. I’m sure the old Kempo Masters did it as a joke and are laughing at us!

(Part 3 of 3) Well we wouldn’t be a Martial Art if we didn’t have Blocking Challenges! Blocks obviously are critical so that you don’t get hit. You will see that there are various Blocking Systems / Challenges in order to best prepare you for any situation. Remember, there is nothing wrong with looking ahead (in the Challenges/Help Videos). When you do, you will see that you will develop the ability to throw simultaneous targeted counterstrikes while blocking. This is the ultimate in punishing a person that has the gall to try to mess with you!

Note: Just because they are blocks doesn’t mean that they don’t need power. Make sure you put your body into the block so that you can stop anything from coming at you! Good Luck!

Much like the Defense Maneuvers, Tactical Responses (called Kempo Punch Techniques or Kempos in our style) are a pre-arranged combination of movements, blocks, strikes, and kicks that will get your body tuned to be an effective weapon. These techniques were modeled after 5 major animals -Tiger, Crane, Snake, Leopard, and Dragon (not the Komodo kind!)

This is the first of the techniques that embody the attacking and defense style of the above animals. These techniques were created to not only defend, but build coordination, flexibility, and precision as well. You will see that these Animal Tactical Responses will challenge your physical abilities! You need to master 30 of them to get to Black Belt. Good Luck!