The title of this thread is "reality based training". No one could argue about the training methods being used, as I believe all training methods are useful to someone, somewhere in the world, including the "slippy slappy" or "Disney land" technique training. I too have seen kajukenbo videos which focus on speed, but speed doesn't necessarily mean it is without power. I think we can all agree that power used in the right way is just as good as speed in the right way, but if you have power and speed, then you even do better. As was mentioned, Kajukenbo is not for everyone, but everyone can train...one reason is we have various methods with various philosophies, which brings up my other point.
I was never taught, nor have I ever heard GGM Gaylord say, to just punch people with preemptive attacks for being too close to someone talking, but rather that Kajukenbo is Self Defense. Part of the training I received was that you would pretty much do everything you could to deter a fight, where everyone walks away being able to live another day and be with their loved ones. Ofcourse, if there is an eminent danger that we could prevent, by all means, our training instills in us the confidence to take care of the situation, protecting ourselves and our loved ones. So although I definitely agree with the training methods mentioned, I respectfully disagree with its use. There is a legal implication to preemptive attacks, having to go through the hassle of trying to justify our use of force in court, also being susceptible to being sued, where an inventory of what all your assets are ($$$), etc., pretty much invading you and your families privacy because lawyers are out to earn a buck, is not a philosophy that I live nor one that I pass on to my students.
I hope no one takes offense at what I have typed, and if I did offend anyone, please forgive me, as that is not my intention, but merely my humble opinion.
Aloha Chief Tim,
You make some great points. Being able to perceive and discern when a threat is imminent is key. I'm no lawyer, but most of the statutory language in the self defense laws across the land talk about when lesser means have failed and that imminent jeopardy must exist in order to use force. Imminent jeopardy meaning the attacker has intent, capability, and opportunity at that given time to do you or somebody else some bodily harm. The defender has to be able to articulate that to the law. Some factors or variables that may justify some pre-emptive measures are; size and age disparity, gender difference, multiple attackers, defender is injured, attacker is close to or has a weapon, attacker has a known history of violence or advanced skill level, etc. Usually when the cops show up the guy on the ground goes to the hospital, while the guy standing goes to jail. People like to say, "I'd rather be judged by 12, than carried by 6". What they don't realize is they may have to end up using their Kaju to defend against getting raped by 6 in the lock up, if they were found to be malicious in the situation that got them there. The civil liability can be immense as well. The liability can be vicarious (meaning poop rolls up hill) for the instructor if the student hurts somebody without being justified. Gone are the days, at least in Hawaii, where if ya can't get along then get it on and scrap, as it apparently was in the early days of Kajukenbo. I know of a couple that are serving time for felonious assault for giving somebody dirty lickens and preemptively striking them. Some have gotten misdemeanors.
As far as training, all of the Kajukenbo techniques (punch counters, grab arts, knife and club tricks) are reactive. So to profess being a kajukenbo practictioner and advocating strike first is a contradiction in training theory as the techniques are were designed to be defensive. Being proactive means not putting yourself in bad places and situations where the likelihood of an encounter may occur. People who boast of many street fights are probably looking for it as about 90% of self defense is avoidance of those situations. Of course those who work in public safety are employed to be in harms way. Situation dictates response.
When it does come, and yeah it's not a matter of if, it's when, then I like to counter strike in combos of 3 round bursts, sort of like semi auto on the m16. and give em some spirit, mind, and body. The number 4 is also a good symbolic number to use as it represents death in the Chinese mythos. Or better yet 5 for the five founders of Kajukenbo. Nothing wrong with the Kajukenbo techniques for reality. it's how you train them. We drill them in a part whole approach, meaning break down and isolate the limb destruction, entry, takedown, and finish. Then put it all together. Yeah, the fight will rarely play out like a whole punch counter, but it gives you an answer or plan if the guy doesn't go down in that first couple moves. Plus Grandma always said to clean up your plate good meaning follow through completely. I do use lead open hand checks, which could be interpreted as pokes, rakes, flicks, and palm strikes, consistently whether empty hand, or knife and stick work. Mainly to control distance and placement of strikes. Train it enough on heavy bags, sand bags, tires, etc. it can be an effective tool in itself like a jab to set up the finisher strike. Folks can see it at work in the OKO dvds. Take care, be safe, Mahalos.
