Seabrook said:
The problem that I see is that so many martial artists (Kenpoists included) cross-train in other arts simply because they lack the focus to learn their primary art correctly, and because they want to chase after ranks in as many styles as possible.
With regards to your questions, I don't think you need to cross-train to fully understand the material being tought, providing you are advanced enough in your base system. In any case, what is your complete definition of cross-training?
Also, where do you feel Kenpo has its deficiencies?
Good discussion bro,
Jamie Seabrook
www.seabrook.gotkenpo.com
MJS,
Good to see your posts.. Thanks for saying Hi. I agree with you. Rank just shows up after awhile.. Cross training should not be done for the sake of rank, but for the sake of knowledge and understanding.
Jamie,
For the case of explanation I will try to use a couple of examples.
If you have no real understanding or no real experience in grappling and you spend some time rolling with an experienced grappler you will understand the value of learning grappling correctly. Then you can add the applicable info to you Kenpo and hopefully have a more complete game.
I agree you can find applications of standup techniques for grounded situations, and the principles apply to the ground also, but do you think that you are working the ground to the level that a good grappler does?
The live environment you get when rolling can only be learned by stepping into that environment. You can't get the feel for the range unless you train and spar in that environment. You can be a very experienced martial artist and be schooled by a blue ( or white ) belt on the mat... I have been humbled many times.
Another example is weapon based skills. You can put a stick in your hand and apply Kenpo as in the pre-set techniques or in form 7, but do you really think that you will have the understanding of the stick that a student or instructor of a weapon based system has? That kind of skill takes time and saavy.. The kind of skill that comes from swinging a stick regularly and applying tactics in your fighting and training.
I don't feel Kenpo is deficient, but I also see the value of training at the source of the arts I see value in. This is just my opinion. If you feel you get enough from just trying to find the material within Kenpo so be it. It's your journey.
You can train some boxing ideas, put on some gloves, knock each other around a bit now and then, but when you go up against someone who trains in the gym at the game and understands how to apply it, is conditoned to do the rounds...again the humbling can begin....
The point I was originally trying to make is that without an understanding of the art you are trying to cross reference how can you do it? It will require a little cross training to understand enough about it to cross reference it.
Good thread guys..
Gotta go.
Dean.