The Art of Karate is divided into five major components, the first of which is the Basics. The Basics are the foundation for all that follows. Another major component is Self Defense. The third is the learning and performing of the Sets or Forms. Another important element is that of striking objects that are solid in nature, to build strength and power into your strikes, which in Kenpo is our Life-size Dummy. The last, and perhaps the most important, of the major components of any style or system of Karate is that of Freestyle Fighting.

Freestyle Fighting, sometimes called Sparring or Kumite, is the only element of our schooling that takes us to total spontaneity. It is that part of our training that allows us to use our defensive techniques and skills to their fullest. It is in Freestyle Fighting where we develop our reflexes and learn to read the body language of our opponents and formulate the strategies of attacking and counter-fighting.

Freestyle Fighting is also one of the most difficult elements to teach or to learn. It is problematical to teach because it deals so directly with the physiological and psychological makeup of the individual. What works brilliantly for the instructor might not work at all for the student.

Over the years of coming to grips with the complexities of teaching the concepts, principals and applications of Freestyle Fighting we came to the conclusion that the best thing we could do is to present a variety of highly-qualified Kenpo Freestyle Fighters for our students to learn from. In the dojo, that is easier said than done, because it could take years to bring in the right combination of people from which to learn. That's why we decided to travel to them, in order to bring to our students an assemblage of the finest Freestyle Fighting Instructors in Kenpo today. Never, in the history of Kenpo, has such a collection of talent been brought together for the purpose of sharing their knowledge and experience so selflessly. Because of the nature of Freestyle Fighting you will be seeing things that you might never be able to do, no matter how much training you put into it. On the other hand you will see techniques and strategies that fit you like a glove and integrate immediately into your personal style, regardless of your level or rank. These tapes are designed for beginner to ranking Black Belt.

This Freestyle Fighting series was planned to teach everyone from absolute beginner through the intermediate fighter, right up to the advanced, seasoned fighter. The lower levels will naturally benefit most because they have the most to learn. However, even the most advanced fighters will gain from these tapes because not even the hottest fighters can think of everything.

That's why it took so long. We had to wait until now to gather such a diverse group to show their expertise. Everyone has a different philosophy and approach to Freestyle Fighting and it's those differences that we wanted to explore and examine on these tapes. If we all fought the same it would be easy to teach and learn, but we don't, and a limited point of view gives the fighter a limited number of options.

Each tape contains two hours of demonstration and instruction featuring the specialties of each Instructor. It's this combination, of the finest talent that Kenpo has to offer, that allows us to cover the field of Freestyle Fighting from beginning to end, and from A to Z.

The Kenpo Freestyle Fighting Video Series will be sold as a set only, two tapes or one DVD. The price is $79.95 plus shipping and handling (and California sales tax, if you reside in California),

If you are a member in good standing, of the International Karate Connection Association, then the price is $59.95 plus shipping and handling (and California sales tax, if you reside in California).

IKCA members get much more than just the usual services and a quarterly Newsletter; there are also discounts on equipment and videos, such as in this case.