Principals and purpose

Kinney Karate is not taught as a deadly Martial Art. In fact, the focus is on individual personal development. The main objective is for students to become better persons both physically and mentally. In essence, the main principal in Kinney Karate is to teach students how “not” to kick and punch. This requires the student to learn to think first before making a move. The self defense becomes a bonus, only achieved with longevity in training.

By developing a high degree of self esteem, students do not feel the need to prove themselves superior. They don’t need to “show off.” They don’t need to compete with others and are not obsessed with “winning or losing.”

From the physical standpoint, technical skills include a highly developed kicking style requiring razor sharp accuracy. The kicking style promoted by Kinney Karate is designed for an opponent to “walk” into. Kicks are not thrown to strike, but to fake an opponent into being struck.

Ju-Jitsu and Aikido techniques allow students to learn close-in defensive skills while developing coordination and gracefully execution.

Other skills include the ability to do multiple techniques requiring exceptional motor skills.

In Kinney Karate the use of weapons is limited to learning the precise skills of Modern Arnis. Escrima sticks represent the ultimate self defense weapon. The use of Escrima sticks help to teach students to control their skills through commands triggering different parts of the body muscle group, much like a musician or dancer. Hundreds of Ju-Jitsu and Aikido techniques allow students to learn close-in defensive skills while developing coordination and gracefully execution. Other skills include the ability to do multiple techniques requiring exceptional motor skills.

In Kinney Karate the use of weapons is limited to learning the precise skills of Modern Arnis. Escrima sticks represent the ultimate self defense weapon. The use of Escrima sticks help to teach students to control their skills through commands triggering different parts of the body in order-by muscle group, much like a musician or dancer. The twelve forms of Kinney Karate incorporate Japanese, Chinese, Korean and Okinawan influences that also serve this purpose.

Students learn to roll, fall and be thrown. They learn to be both an attacker and a defender.

In many ways, Kinney Karate is both a “soft” and “hard” Martial Art.
By learning Ju-Jitsu and Aikido principals, students learn the softer aspects of going “with” a movement. The “Korean” influence form the basic “hard” movements. They are designed to show and build strength in techniques. The elements of both compliment each other to create Kinney Karate, a system balanced in the middle.

Over 200 Kinney Karate Students march and perform at the “Festival of States Parade” in St. Petersburg, Florida. Over 50 High School bands from around the world also performed before a crowd of over 60,000 spectators. The parade was televised live on ABC television in November 1994.