Striking FAQ

1. What is a striking art?
Striking Arts are the arts focused on striking with various parts of the body such as the hands, feet, shins, forearms, elbows and knees. The most common striking sports are Boxing, Kickboxing, Tae Kwon Do and Karate. The striking arts are really broken into soft (circular, slowing movement) and hard styles (linear, strong movements). Soft styles include Chinese Kung Fu and Wushu (which will be included in the Beijing Olympics) and Japanese Ninjutsu. Hard styles include Chinese, Israeli Krav Maga, Japanese and American Kenpo, various styles of Okinawan and Japanese Karate- (Shotokan, Goju, Shorinji Ryu, Shorei Ryu, Wado-Ryu, Shito Ryu, Isshin Ryu), Korean Tae Kwon Do, Hawaiian Kajukenbo and Thai Muay Thai to name a few.

2. What is the difference between Tae Kwon Do (TKD) and Karate
The main difference is Tae Kwon Do is much more different types of kicking and Karate is much more different types of punching. Both have both sport and classical forms as well. Tae Kwon Do was created in the 1950’s in Korea by General Choi taught to the military actually modeled after Japanese Shotokan Karate. Karate was created in Okinawa and Japan in the early 1900’s modeled after hand to hand arts from China.

3. How do I choose which program to take?
Both styles teach many of the same principles but come from a different philosophy. Tae Kwon Do typically requires more flexibilty and Karate requires more upper body strength. They both teach discipline, body control, balance, confidence and mental strength.

4. How long does it take to get a black belt?
The time varies depending upon the students commitment level and ability. Anywhere from 4-8 years.

5. What affiliation is the TKD program?
TKD has two major affiliating bodies- The World Tae Kwon Do Federation (WTF) and the International Tae Kwon Do Federation (ITF).
Striker’s Den TKD program comes from the local San Jose Choi’s family. This is the instructor of famed Ernie Reyes Senior (the founder of Ernie Reye’s West Coast Karate). Master Reyes was training partners with George Chung who instructed Scott Manthey, the lead instructor of our program.

6. Will my child or I have a chance to compete?
Competition is always an option. There are many local and regional tournaments that students can attend. There are also many types of tournaments to choose from: Olympic TKD, Sports Karate Forms or Point Fighting. Students who would like to compete only need their instructor’s permission prior to entering a tournament. It is recommended that you plan ahead and work with your instructor(s) to train specifically to properly prepare for any tournament.

7. If I already have rank, what belt level am I?
Each martial art has it's philosophy and ranking system. Even if you are ranked in one art, you will not automatically "such and such" belt in another. Typically, to get a ranking in a particular school, you have to attend classes and learn their philosophies and techniques. Then you must demonstrate basic moves, and in some cases you must compete, spar, to achieve a new rank (belt). Ultimately it is at the instructor’s discretion.

8. Are there any fitness based, cross training classes for athletic non martial artist?
We offer fitness classes using exercises and drills from martial arts to cross training athletes. These classes will be held 6:30pm-7:30pm Monday-Thursday. The classes are designed to work you out while giving you basic martial art skills.

9. Are there any street based self defense classes for adults?
Striker’s Den currently offers three (3) different self defense programs for adults.
H.A.N.D.S.- Heightened Application Neuromuscular Defense System
H.A.N.D.S. is a hand to hand, stand up reality based self defense/fitness program including knife defense as well.
G.R.I.P.S.- Ground-based Reflexive Individual Protection System.
G.R.I.P.S. is a ground hand to hand reality based self defense program including knife defense as well. Unlike grappling you will learn how to escape ground situations by “cheating.”
These programs are taught by Sensei Todd Labrie. Todd has multiple black belts and has worked in security for many different businesses all over the country for over 15 years.

10. What if I have limited movement or a disability?
Classes are tailored to help each student where they need it as much as possible. There will always be a variation of the technique to be taught.