THOSE WHO EARN RANK AND THOSE WHO JUST DONT MATTER

I recently received an email from one of my instructor’s daughters. My instructor passed away several years ago and since his passing some have popped up claiming to have trained under him, claiming to be black belts under him. To make a long story short they did not. There were some under handed things pulled by these people using her father’s name in various deceitful ways and his daughter of course is very understandably upset about this. I wont get into everything they have supposedly done other than to say that they managed to set the bar for a new level of low. 

Martial arts are supposed to be about honor. This isn’t honorable at all. But She isn’t dealing with those who have honor or even respect.

Some of these people claim to be tenth dans under my old instructor. I know these people and they have made a lot of bullshit claims in the past. My old instructor’s highest rank was only an 8^th dan. He did come up with his own system but he only considered himself an 8^th dan in it. He didn’t give himself a grand master title or a tenth dan like some of these wannabes did......so where did ya 10th dans come from fellas? Ya made them up...just like ya made up everything else.  

I do want to point out.....my old Sensei would point this out as well.....if you never actually trained with someone you can’t be a black belt or even a student of theirs of any rank, not even a kyu rank. As an instructor myself, if a student only sticks around for six months I don’t consider him/her a student. Teaching someone a few techniques doesn’t qualify them to be training under me or part of my school/style. It certainly doesn’t mean that they were “trained by me”. A few seminars doesn't grant someone some sort of inheritance or a partnership of someone's system. This is crap or lines that frauds use to feed and fool the ignorant. To be considered an actual student of an instructor takes years of training and constant consistent practice under that instructor’s direct tutelage and supervision. 

Anyone who actually knew my old instructor knew that there wasn’t a person who walked the face of the planet that he was prouder of than his daughter. She served her country made a career of it and was every bit as tough as nails as her father. These people have treated my old instructor’s family with a lot of disrespect. They took advantage of his widow. They ignore the family’s wishes and requests. They have been rude to his daughter in their emails. 

My response to my instructor’s daughter was that anyone going against the family’s wishes was obviously never a friend of her father's in the first place....so don't waste anymore time with them and move forward.... as her father would want her to do. If my old instructor were alive and knew how they were treating his daughter….he would track them down and cut their head and nuts off…..nuts first of course. 

 When my old instructor was alive these pretenders held him in disdain, tried to undermine him. They did this all because my instructor would not budge from the truth, he wanted nothing to do with them or how they did things. Now that he has passed away they leach off him, use his name, claim some kind of inheritance of his system. 

My advice to my instructor's daughter was to no longer waste her breath on these people. They just aren't worth it. She already has plenty out there to prove her side of things. I also pointed that there are those who earn their ranks and those who don't, those who don't....don't matter. Personally, I quit writing about the pretenders. I refuse to soil my blog with their names. They are desperate to be recognized for something they didn’t do. Take credit for something they were never a part of. Those of this ilk are quite frankly beneath me and like I communicated to her, just don’t matter. 

I am interested in the well being of my instructor's family. His wife, his daughter, they all went through enough in dealing with their loved one's illness and his ultimate passing. I expect trying to talk her into no longer dealing with these people will generate nothing but hate from them even though I didn't mention their names.....again not going to soil my blog. 

The Judo Mcdojo

One handed Ippon Seoi Nage drill

I am going to attempt to explain this as simply as I can; I am all about teaching, learning and promoting only good judo. Doing Judo to the best of my ability. I am writing this article so that anyone who is potentially looking to get involved with judo doesn't get the wool pulled over their eyes and fooled.

 Judo is pretty well regulated It is regulated to keep and hold the standard high. Judo is one of the few styles that don't have too many mcdojos. Thank God! However, there are some judo mcdojos out there. There are so few Judo mcdojos that the good news is that they are pretty easy to identify. 

First and Foremost

If your instructor or his dojo isn’t recognized by one of the official Judo organizations, USA Judo, United States Judo Association, or the United States Judo Federation you might want to take a harder look and question some things.

The recognized Organizations - There are only three! 

USA Judo, the USJA and the USJF are the only National Governing Organizations that are recognized as such by the Kodokan, the Birthplace and headquarters for Judo in Japan. 

Other things to look out for   

If the same instructor is teaching or claiming to teach several martial arts; judo, karate, jiujitsu, and aikido, etc. then I would suggest that you start trying to learn more about their actual judo accreditation and history make sure it comes from one of the NGBs.

Be careful of phrases like, “we don’t do sport judo” or “we only do self-defense” or "the NGBs (USA Judo, USJA and USJF) are all about sport" These phrases should automatically get your “spidey” hairs up. 

Questions you should ask;

1.) What governing body is the club associated with? USJA, USJF, USA Judo are the only recognized NGBs in the US. AAU is for freestyle judo which is also good though not as widespread. So be leary of any judo organization not mentioned in this article. If they don't have any association with any of these, you should look elsewhere or leave if you are already a member. 

There are grass root dojos and programs out there however they should be affiliated with an NGB. 

A legit judo instructor has no problems with being a member of any of the NGBs if they do you should consider this a red flag. (National Governing Bodies). 

2.) What rank is the head instructor, where/who did he/she train and how many years of experience? If they don't give you any information on clubs and names that you can confirm on the internet, that could be a little concerning, but not necessarily a red flag so long as they are accredited with one of the above organizations.

3.    3.) Do their students compete in tournaments affiliated with USJA, USJF, USA Judo, etc? Some schools teach judo mainly as a hobby which is fine, however Not being affiliated with one of the National Governing bodies, and not being involved in competition even at a recreational level should be a big red flag.    

Attaining rank In judo

Judo rank isn’t easy to come by and this is simply because it is one of the hardest martial art styles to learn. Judo takes years and it should. If the instructor is testing students every few months this should be a red flag. If you have gone from white belt to green belt in less than a year chances are your judo is total bullshito.

Advancing in black belt rank is even more difficult and often takes years in grade between each rank. If your instructor is advancing in his black belt rank every year or two chances are you are not dealing with a legitimate black belt judoka.

The NGBs are there for a reason - to regulate and uphold the standards put forth by the Kodokan. Is it easy to get rank in judo? Absolutely not, it isn’t supposed to be.

Randori and willingness to Randori

There can be no judo without randori. To randori is to do judo.  According to the founder of Judo there are two methods of practice, Kata and randori. Of the two, Jigoro Kano stated that Randori is the most effective means of judo training.  Practicing throws on a compliant and non-resistant partner is not judo. Not even close. Throwing someone who doesn’t want to be thrown in randori/free sparring is judo. Judo is the act of applying judo principles on a partner who is 100 percent resistant and trying to throw you..... you are not actually doing judo until you are doing that.  

The same thing applies when practicing judo for self defense randori is a must. Learning to execute throws on a person who is fighting back and moving is a skill set in and of itself. A good judo instructor can perform his techniques with and without a gi. 

Ippon Seoi nage from armpit grip

It is very rare to find a good Judo instructor who is unwilling to randori or spar with white belts or any of their students or anyone else for that matter. If there is an absence of randori and only just kata style training this is a red flag as well. 

I have given a simple rundown of what you might encounter when dealing with Judo Mcdojos and Judo Bullshito instructors. All Judo is not equal, by any means! There are bad legitimate judo instructors just like there are good teachers and bad teachers. Fraudulent instructors however, don't even come close to performing good judo. Most legitimate yellow belts are technically better than the Judo fraud. Most of these bullshito judoka move like a pregnant giraffe that's trying to traverse a frozen pond. 

Bottom line is if they are shunning the NGBs or bad mouthing them, and staying away from practices explained in this article they are covering something up so get as far away from them as you can. Nuff said!

COMBAT JUDO VS MULTIPLE PUNCHES

Combat Judo is just that….combat. It is geared to deal with realistic attacks. It is as pragmatic as judo is dynamic. Combat judo deals with situations sensibly and realistically in a way that is based on practical rather…

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KAJUKENBO: The First of it's Kind

“Kajukenbo is the first of its kind of all origins in mixed martial arts.  Prior to its known existence in 1947, the history of Kajukenbo began when the USA was in war with Japan.  Before it became worldly known as Kajukenbo in the 1960’s, we called it Kenpo Karate.”  – MSgt. Tony Lasit, U.S. Air Force, Ret., Veteran of WWII, Korea, Vietnam and Founder of the U.S. Kajukenbo Association.

Much like the U.S. Armed Forces military servicemen that trained in Combat Judo during WWI and WWII, Kajukenbo was designed to disarm, disable and destroy an opponent with fierce proficiency. From its beginnings, Kajukenbo was an eclectic and adaptive self-defense oriented fighting method. Its sole purpose…..SELF DEFENSE. 

                          CLICK HERE FOR FULL ARTICLE @COMBATJUDO.NET

COMBAT JUDO: Hip Throw (Ogoshi) vs Straight Punch

SSGT Robert Carlin described Combat Judo as an advanced method of fighting. It was originally developed to address the needs of military personnel facing new hand-to-hand combat challenges as a way to ensure a streamlined, tested, and effective method of fighting. This approach combined the most suitable high-yield, low-risk judo techniques, ensuring the best physical training for working functional techniques against violent encounters.

The Hip Throw is not only a basic technique, it is one of the four major combat throws still seen in military combative manuals to this day. There can be frequent opportunities to execute this throw in an actual fight. One can easily transition into a hip throw from various striking and grappling situations, when done correctly, it can throw an adversary to the ground with enough force that there is a good chance your opponent will be injured.

 TO FINISH READING ARTICLE GO TO COMBAT JUDO BLOG AT COMBATJUDO.NET 

CAN THERE BE JUDO WITHOUT RANDORI?

Ippon Seoi Nage Step and Pivot Entry

Not too long ago someone stopped by to check out the judo class. This person had trained and garnered some rank in judo supposedly. He let me know he trained at a Martial Arts dojo about an hour away. To make a long story short as we warmed up doing uchikomi drills it became apparent that he was somewhat lost. Later after a short instructional period we got into randori. Again, this person was absolutely like a fish out of water. He had never done any randori before.

He went on to tell me that they didn’t do “sport judo” but that they did judo only as a self-defense. I explained to him that Randori isn’t solely for sport. At this point it was apparent that whatever he was taught and given rank in....sure wasn’t judo.

First off, judo is a complex art and system or method of fighting or selfdefense.....it is also a rugged, dynamic and technically advanced combat sport.

Judo emphasizes a free-style sparring, called randori, as one of its main forms of training. This isn’t suited exclusively for sport  or competition (shiai) aspect. Randori is the primary method of learning the MANY lessons of Judo. Randori, even subject to safety rules, is much more alive than just practicing techniques only on compliant training partners. Trying to throw someone who is trying to throw you as well, develops the muscles and cardio-vascular system on the physical aspect. Randori also develops strategy and reaction time on the mental aspect. Most importantly however, randori helps the practitioner learn to use techniques against a resisting opponent. A common saying among judoka is “The best training for judo is judo.”

Traditional Kodokan Judo

The young man went on to tell me that his former instructor claimed that they taught traditional Kodokan Judo and he reemphasized not sport judo.

In his book Kodokan Judo, Jigoro Kano writes that there are two methods of judo training, Kata and Randori. Kata is a system of prearranged movements that teach the fundamentals of attack and defense. In addition to throws and newaza (ground or mat techniques) it teaches striking techniques. Randori means free sparring. The main condition in randori is that the participants take care not to injure one another. Kano goes on to write that “of the two (kata and randori), RANDORI is the more effective.”

Kano saw that simply doing techniques in a prearranged manner or from a static position with a compliant training partner was nowhere near sufficient training for one to be able to effectively apply judo techniques in combat or sport.

Ippon Seoi Nage - Split Step Entry

What is randori?

Randori is training under the supervision of a coach or instructor, it's not a contest or a fight.  There are many different ways to practice randori; each with a specific purpose and goal. Each randori session must have a purpose, a goal of increasing the technical, tactical or fitness level of the students.

There is a third element which is shiai or competition, however, don’t get randori confused with shiai or only relating to shiai or competition. Randori is fundamental to learning judo, it emphasizes the basics, and requires that the partners execute (and receive) the throws at full power. In doing so, they learn how to effectively destabilize the opponent, how to time the throwing techniques, and how to combine the techniques, as well as how to defend against techniques and employ counter techniques.

So, can you develop good or effective judo without randori?

The simple answer is no. I know of no judo dojo where randori isn't a part of their regular training. You need to be able to practically apply the techniques you learn and that can only be done through randori. Without randori you'd never get a "feel" for throws in real conditions. A training partner actively trying to avoid your techniques as well as he can and trying to throw you himself changes almost everything. One has to learn to adapt to that, to spot your opponent's weaknesses, to time your attacks and to defend at the same time. It's not possible to do that without randori.

Ippon Seoi Nage - Koga variation to the left side

Kano recognized that simply trying to do judo in only prearranged conditions on a compliant partner would be and is greatly lacking. Randori is king, as Kano said the more effective of the two. Beginners should be doing randori from Day 1, with close supervision and always paired with a responsible senior player.

So why is it so important that beginners do randori? Because it is during randori that you are actually doing judo! When you do uchikomi or fitting in for throws, repetitive entry and kuzushi or off balancing…..  that's not judo. That's training for judo. When you do "resistance-free" throwing that isnt judo either. That's training for judo. When you do randori.....that's judo!

The Theft of the Legacy of Prof Samuel J Lonewolf

Samuel Lonewolf’s teachings were passed directly, hands-on, to his only two kur obis/black belts, his daughter and myself. Rank in his system was never about paper certificates, it represented years of sweat, correction, and direct guidance from him. I was one of his two kurobis/black belts. Lonewolf  sent out an email  in 2010 (pictured below) to those who were appointed in Lonewolf's system and he appointed a council of elders outside o his system. 

Lonewolf email appointing his daughter and myself as his only two Kurobis/blackbelts

Martial rank is tied to training and rank represents not just technical knowledge, but also time, effort, and progression under the guidance of a qualified instructor. Without that personal instruction, the certificate is just a piece of paper.

Every martial art has nuances, concepts, and principles and Lonewolf had his. They were passed down through hands-on instruction. If you never trained with that teacher, you never received their methods, corrections, or insights.

Authentic lineages are built on direct teacher-to-student relationships. Skipping that link damages credibility and makes claims of inheritance or succession questionable. Claiming rank without training devalues the teacher’s knowledge, the system itself, and the students who did put in the time.

The rank becomes meaningless if the instructor never observed your ability, progress, and character firsthand through years of direct formal training. A martial arts rank without formal training with the person granting it is a hollow recognition, not some accomplishment. In Sam Lonewolf’s system, a rank received without formal training under him holds no value.

Lonewolf’s teachings were passed directly, hands-on, to only a very small number of students. Rank in his system was never about paper certificates, it represented years of sweat, correction, and direct guidance from him.

 

False Inheritance Claims

After the passing of Professor Sam Lonewolf, Gary Lee falsely claimed to have inherited Lonewolf’s Kenpo system for years after his death. These claims were entirely without foundation. Lonewolf never named Lee as a successor, nor did he authorize Lee in any capacity.

Gary Lee’s online and social media claims of he and Don Miskel inheriting or holding rank under Grandmaster Sam Lonewolf  (see above) are completely false and without merit. 

Fabricated Certificates

Gary Lee fabricated a tenth-degree black belt certificate purportedly issued by Professor Lonewolf, granting himself rank and authority that was never given.

Any certificate or rank Gary Lee claims from Lonewolf is fabricated. Such claims hold no legitimacy, no recognition within the Lonewolf lineage, and no representation of Lonewolf’s teachings. 

Certificates fabricated by Lee with forged Lonewolf signature

Gary Lee was involved with making and distributing fake certificates with a forged Lonewolf signature some dated several years after Lonewolf passed away. 

In addition, Donald Miskel and leading members of the Black Dragon Fighting Society also created false certificates claiming recognition, cross-rank, or affiliation with Lonewolf. Both Gary Lee and the leadership of the Black Dragon Fighting Society sold these fake Lonewolf certificates and to exploit Professor Lonewolf’s name and legacy for financial gain.

Such issued ranks do not demonstrate knowledge, skill, or connection to Lonewolf's system, it only highlights dishonesty and a lack of respect for Lonewolf’s legacy. None of which have any legitimacy, recognition, or connection to Lonewolf or his system. 

Exploitation of Lonewolf’s Personal Items

Immediately, following Lonewolf’s death, Gary Lee, at the urging of Donald Miskel and senior members of the Black Dragon Fighting Society went to the home of Lonewolf’s widow. He obtained some of Lonewolf’s personal martial arts items under the pretense that they would be displayed in a sport karate museum. Instead they were used to create a fabricated lineage for Lee and others.

These items were never displayed in any museum. Instead items like certificates, stamps and chops were used to create a fabricated certificates and create a lineage so Lee and others could glum onto Lonewolf’s history. When the Lonewolf family requested the items be returned, Lee informed them he had burned the items, claiming he did so because he did not like the way he had been spoken to. This act demonstrated profound disrespect to Lonewolf’s memory and his family.

Misleading Articles and False Histories

Donald Miskel authored articles and a “online eulogy” about Professor Lonewolf for USA Dojo a website operated by Dana Stamos and as well as other websites. In these articles Miskell implied that he knew and trained with Lonewolf. These writings are false, untrue, and not indicative of what Lonewolf taught or represented. These online articles mischaracterize his teachings, his actual rank and system.

Additionally, other inaccurate information has been published online, further distorting Lonewolf’s legacy and misleading the martial arts community.

The true continuation of Sam Lonewolf’s system remains with his legitimate direct student and black belt, who trained under him directly, and not with those who, like Lee and others attempted to falsely attach themselves to his name.

Clarification on Sam Lonewolf’s Recognition of Rank(s)

Grandmaster Sam Lonewolf only awarded legitimate rank in his system to those who trained directly under him. Anyone claiming rank from Lonewolf without having trained with him has nothing more than an empty title. Such a rank carries no legitimacy, no recognition within Lonewolf’s lineage, and no connection to the art he preserved. It disrespects what Lonewolf strived for and undermines the hard work of the few who did earn their place under him.

However, it should be noted that during his lifetime he also recognized the existing ranks of about a dozen martial artists from outside his system, he named these individuals as his council or committee of elders. 

This recognition was a gesture of respect for their accomplishments in their own arts, it did not mean that they were students of Lonewolf, nor that they held rank in his system or could promote anyone in his system. Lonewolf made a clear distinction between his own black belts, of which there were only two, and the ranks he acknowledged from outside martial artists. 

Only Lonewolf’s direct students held authentic rank, and only the named dozen elders held recognized standing outside his system. All other claims are false and should not be acknowledged.

Closing Statement

Any claims of inheritance, recognition, or rank from Professor Lonewolf by Gary Lee, Donald Miskel, or members of the Black Dragon Fighting Society are false. The fabrication and sale of fake certificates for profit, together with the publication of misleading articles and the exploitation of Lonewolf’s personal items, represent a deliberate pattern of misrepresentation and abuse of his legacy.

The true lineage of Professor Lonewolf’s system lies with his family and myself. Out of respect for his memory, teachings, and the integrity of his art, his system should be preserved accurately and without distortion.

—Barron Shepherd