HKphooey said:
Has anyone had the chance to view Jeff Speakman's new DVD or experience the material first hand at a seminar?
Curious as to what it is all about. I know there is another thread talking about the evolution of kenpo and the lack of ground techniques, but was curious to know if anyone have seen any of the material.
There is a clip on his website:
http://www.jeffspeakman.com/
Thanks in advance for your feedback.
I actually attended a seminar on Kenpo 5.0 with Mr. Speakman last October. First of all, I did not know the seminar was going to be on this new curriculum, I simply attended with the hopes of learning some good kenpo - which I did. As to "what it is all about", it is difficult to summarize in a few words what is much better experienced in person. The best way to describe it, however, would be as kenpo on the ground (duh!). It is, to say the least, a little more complicated than that.
What I liked the most about it is that it still really felt like kenpo. I have some experience with BJJ, MMA, and this is definitely not that! If you want to learn to grapple or win the next UFC this system is not for you. If, however, you want to expand on kenpo theory and apply it to the clinch and the ground this is a very good system. Trever Sherman and Jeff Speakman are not the first, nor will they be the last to mold a system like this, but I do feel they have put a lot into it and it at least deserves an honest chance.
Two very strong points of the system are first, the natural progression of the techniques from one to the next and second, the active resistance that is encouraged in the techniques. The techniques are set up in a group or sequence that teaches an ideal stand-up response to an attack, than what to do if it goes to the clinch, and finally what to do on the ground. "Gripping Leaves" is, for example, one in a series of techniques - it shows what to if you have to go to the ground. The other techniques that go along with it show you how to not go to the ground against the same attack. However, "Gripping Leaves" exists as a back up - it allows you to go to the ground and still come out on top (pun intended).
The second part of what I liked was that active resistance on part of the
uke was encouraged. Sure, there were times when we just drilled the techniques, but once we had a good grasp on it we were encouraged to resist and force our partners to learn how to make the technique work.
I did not, however, like everything about the system. For example, the name: Kenpo 5.0. I almost did a double take when he first said it. I was thinking, "What does this have to do with computers?" I can't wait to learn
Twisting Macintosh (defense against an overhead e-mail virus from 12 o'clock). Seriously, though, how much does the name matter. I mean, if it really turned out to be kempo and not kenpo (gasp!) would you just hang up your belt and call it a day?
Also, the system is relatively new and probably has some kinks to be worked out. (If you want the problem-free version you'll just have to wait for Kenpo 5.1.) I should also say that I have not seen the entire system, and what I am saying is based only on what I have experienced. I would also like to say that I am not affiliated with the AKKS. I do, however, know a few of their members, and find them to be good-spirited, hard-hitting kenpoists who are out to practice and teach the best kenpo they can. They and their system are not perfect, but I feel that they are making a positive contribution to the kenpo community.
At the beginning of my post I said it was difficult to summarize in words what exactly Kenpo 5.0 is. I think Mr. Speakman came pretty close, though, when he said that its purpose was not to serve as a museum of kenpo techniques, but rather as a progressive system of self-defense. I know that some might take offense to that statement, but I did not take it as such and I do not believe that is how it was intended. He was not saying that your kenpo (or my kenpo) is a museum, but that in order for the kenpo the AKKS teaches not to stagnate, it was important to continue to update the system for the 21st century. He also wasn't asking me to abandon the kenpo I've been practicing for years. He was just asking that I give these new techniques a try and see if I didn't learn anything.
Hopefully, this post has been helpful to you. I would, of course, recommend giving the techniques a try, or better yet training with someone in the AKKS to get a better idea what it is all about and if it is for you. Overall, it is an attempt to make the weak areas of kenpo strong, and the strong areas stronger. From what I have seen it is a very good system, but it is not perfect (but then neither is my kenpo!).
Sincerely,
John Hippen
