New Martial Art????

[Skepticus]

How can you claim that you invented a new martial art? Did you come out of nowwhere? What makes it new? A new Kick, or throw? What is it?

[administrator]

You must have not read all of our web site 'skepticus'.
The Elite-Fighters System of Martial Arts is a new system of martial arts. We are not classified or categorized as judo, karate, kung fu, or anything else.

Here's the definition of system:
- A group of interacting, interrelated, or interdependent elements forming a complex whole.

That's what Elite-Fighters has done. We are not just a bit of this and that, as many of some eclectic modern martial arts have thrown together. Rather, this system has completely analyzed each component of interpersonal combat and intergrated them into a unique, synergistic, and symbiotic system of learning and training.

You have much to learn, skepticus. Go back to our website for more information.

www.elite-fighters.com

Administrator

[Maximus]

As the Administrator mentioned, this is not a new martial art. Rather, it is a new systematic method of training for personal combat.

When we created this system, we began with the following criteria:

1. It is NOT based upon archaic fighting and training methods.
It was designed for modern personal combat in modern times. I've seen Civil War enthusiasts re-enact battles using the same tactics and weapons that were used in the mid 1800's. But I have never met one that believed that those tactics and weapons could defeat a squad of modern US Marines or Army Green Berets. Unfortunately, many martial artists are comfortable in their belief that the ancient fighting methods of China, Japan, Korea, etc. are adaptable for modern times. It's OK to have a hobby of studying historical fighting methods, but don't fall into the delusional belief that you have the skills for modern combat.

2. It was created for American values.
We are Americans. To pretend anything else is a journey to futility. Many Asian martial arts have you speak the language, learn the customs, wear the clothes, etc., but in the end, you are still American. It's fine to learn about other customs and cultures; in fact, doing so will give you a greater appreciation of your own. But be true to yourself and who you are.

3. It was designed as a complete system from the beginning.
Most martial art systems are a collection of fighting methods with no organized and systematic training method. Those that were originally designed this way, have lost this structure due to poor instruction. You can be confident that the Elite Fighter System will provide you with complete and comprehensive training.

4. It is designed as a COMPLETE martial art.
Most martial art systems emphasis only certain aspects of fighting. For example, American Kenpo focuses on theory, Tae Kwon Do on kicking and sport, boxing specializes in punching, jiu-jitsu on wrestling, etc. But a knowledgeable martial artist knows that you must learn ALL aspects of combat. The Elite Fighter System of Modern Personal Combat is not a collection of methods, but a cohesive program designed to train you for any combat situation.

5. It has NO ulterior motives.
Most martial arts are designed around foreign philosophies and false religions such as Buddhism, Taoism, and Shintoism. You may be learning interesting kicks and punches, but you are also being deceptively led down the wrong spiritual path.

6. Everything is founded upon HONESTY.
We take an Honest approach to every endeavor we undertake. We are honest to ourselves and to our students. In our journey through the martial arts, we have been deceived and misled by unscrupulous individuals and empty promises. Unfortunately, this is standard practice in the martial arts and the reason for its decline. We wish to provide a better alternative.

This system is NOT for everyone. It is for individuals who want the best in the martial arts and who seek the best in themselves. It is for individuals who have the COURAGE to look at themselves and HONESTLY evaluate their weaknesses.

You may not yet be ready for this system, but when you mature in your martial art experience, we will be here for you. We have been here a long time and we will remain to provide you with the finest in martial art instruction.

-Maximus

[Skepticus]

OK, OK. I stand to be corrected. I just have a few questions about all of this. Read most of the website today.. That helped a bit.
Here's a question - Do I have to give up all of my belts that I earned, or can I start from black belt?

Skepticus

[administrator]

Skep,
You really need to read before writing. There are no belts in our system. Therefore, what you have obtained in the past has no influence on what you will be accomplishing in the Elite-Fighters System. For sake of analogy, if you have obtained a degree in college, you will feel as though your high school diploma is meaningless. You must work very hard for a college degree. Well, in the Elite-Fighters System, once you become ranked, especially in the higher grades, you will feel that your belts of the past are of lesser importance.

We do realize that there are some very legitimate martial art schools that do not conform to the majority trend of being a 'belt factory.' That is why we raised to requirements to get to the highest levels. Our system is not designed with a guy sitting at the top waiting for others to work their way to him, to get into the 'inner circle'. Instead, the system is built from the ground up. The requirements for the highest levels and grades are known from the beginning. Training you to achieve the highest levels is the key. That is the unique aspect of our system that we keep restating.

Therefore, keep your belts - just keep them at home.

Administrator

[Maximus]

Because the Elite Fighter System is not based upon Asian philosophies, there is no direct correlation to the colored belt system of grading and the method of obtaining rank in the Elite Fighter System.

THE OBSOLETE METHOD
One of the flaws of Asian-based martial art schools is their adherence to religions, philosophies, and fighting methods that are either obsolete or incompatible with the Western mindset. In particular is the system of relating colored belts and degrees of belts to a person’s ability or skill in fighting.

The belt system is a relatively new invention in Asian martial arts. Professor Jiguro Kano, founder of the modern sport of Judo, originally assigned three colors—white, brown, and black—to classify his students for competition. Being an educator, he borrowed the idea of colored belts to distinguish levels of advancement from a similar method utilized by Japanese school children. In time, other Japanese martial art styles adopted this same method of ranking for their schools. It wasn’t until the Asian martial arts arrived in the United States that the white belt was divided into a rainbow of colors. There are two reasons why a ranking system that originated from Japanese elementary students is an obsolete method of skill recognition.

1. The Belt that one wears does not represent the skill that one possess.
To obtain a belt, the student demonstrates skills selected by his instructor on a pre-determined examination date. Often, these skills and the manner in which they are demonstrated do not reflect real-world combat conditions; therefore, there is no direct correlation between the test and one’s ability to fight. In addition, it is not uncommon to see children 8, 9, or 10 years old wearing black belts. Does this mean that the skill and knowledge of a 9-year-old boy wearing a black belt is equal to that of a 30-year-old man wearing a black belt? Certainly Not! Most importantly, however, is the fact that this rank remains with the individual regardless of his current training regimen. It is not uncommon to see overweight, inflexible, and unskilled individuals proudly displaying multiple degrees of black belt when, in fact, they have not actively trained and practiced their art for years. In the words of American Kenpo creator, Ed Parker, “Although belt colors show, they’re no proof that you know.”

2. There is no universally accepted standard for these ranks.
Though the colors of a particular belt may be the same, the standards to obtain one vary widely from style to style and even from instructor to instructor. This lack of standardization has created substandard practitioners and a decline in the quality of martial art instruction and performance. This is truly a disservice to the martial arts and the public it serves.

Despite these two flaws, the Asian belt ranking system does provide a means of setting short-term goals and recognizing the attainment of knowledge. In designing the Elite Fighter System of Modern Combat, the Architects of the system sought to find a new way to recognize individual achievement while accurately reflecting skill according to Western ideals. As a result, they created a revolutionary approach to martial art ranking.

THE ELITE FIGHTER SYSTEM OF RANK AND RECOGNITION
The Elite Fighter System of Modern Combat is divided into six training levels (or classes):

1st Level—The Defender
2nd Level—The Guardsman
3rd Level—The Enforcer
4th Level—The Protector
5th Level—The Lancer
6th Level—The Paladin

Each training level progressively guides the practitioner through the system in an ideal developmental format. When a practitioner has completed a level of training and is confident that he can demonstrate the necessary skills with suitable proficiency, he may undergo the Trials. The Trials test the practitioner’s skills in a controlled combat situation. If he has met the minimum number of requirements to pass that level of training, then he will be awarded the recognition and rank for that particular level. There are six possible rankings (or grades) within each training level. They are:

1º—Novice
2º—Advanced Beginner
3º—Competent
4º—Proficient
5º—Expert
6º—Elite

Although the recognition for completing a training level will always remain with the individual, his rank within that training level may increase or decrease based upon his dedication to training. Every participant in the Elite Fighter System must undergo a yearly examination to determine his current ranking. This method of ranking fighting skills has proven to be the most accurate, fair, and consistent system ever devised. Practitioners report that this method has motivated them to increase their skills and has become a true source of inspiration. This is a unique, modern method of grading the ultimate in the martial arts—the Elite Fighter.

So, as you can see it really doesn't matter if you have a black belt or not; it is the skill and dedication that you bring to your training. For further detailed information on the Elite Fighter System of Rank and Recognition, please visit the official web-site.

-Maximus

[Skepticus]

Thank you for your time in explaining these things. I also had a phone conversation for a while with Kevin Lamkin today. He explained more details about the trials for ranking. Wow! Now that's cool. I have ordered the program and will see how it works.

Next problem - When are you going to open a school in the Sacramento area?

No longer - Skepticus (how can I change my name - I feel like a jerk)

[administrator]

I'll get you a new name. Just email me and we can set it up.

Currently, we have schools in Louisville, KY and Kernersville, NC. Our home learning program will be the method until instructors become qualified to teach. More on the teaching program will come out in the next two weeks. Maybe you will qualify and be the first to bring this program to the west coast.

I feel that this thread has successfully run its course. This thread will now be closed.

Kevin Lamkin
Administrator