American Open
Style Karate
Karate has been
taught in the United States since 1946, when Grandmaster Robert
A. Trias,
known as the father of American Karate, opened the first karate school in
Phoenix, Arizona. Two years later, Mr. Trias founded the United States Karate
Association (USKA), the first karate organization in America, with almost
every early top karate instructor in its membership.
On May 2, 1972 Hanshi
Jerry C. Piddington was
declared the Headmaster and founder of American Open Style Karate under the USKA sanctified
charter, established by Mr. Trias, which was internationally ratified on May
30, 1975.
American Open Style Karate
is a
blend of styles incorporating traditional art form with the most innovative techniques of modern
day karate. The mechanical principles, technical aspects, and psychological elements are based
on ancient arts of hand-to-hand combat.
Kara -
Empty + Te - Hand = Empty Hand
In 1976, Renshi
Ricky and Randy Smith, nationally known as the
Gold
Dust Twins,
began teaching American Open Style
Karate under the guidance of Mr.
Piddington, at their
school in China Grove,
N.C., called Smith Brothers Karate.
In 1990, the Smith Twins founded SideKick Karate and became a
chartered member of Mr. Piddington's American Karate Academies National
Association.
American Open Style
can be divided into four categories of the martial arts: traditional art form
called kata, self-defense
techniques called goshin waza, the art of weaponry
called kobudo,
and sport karate sparring called kumite.
American
Open Kata, the most
formal of karate exercises (ancient weapons and empty-hand) were created
by Hanshi Piddington under the influence of Okinawan styles of karatedo
such as Shuri-Ryu,
Shorei-ryu,
Shorin-ryu,
and
Goju-ryu.
In February 2000, this tradition was acknowledged when Mr. Piddington was declared Headmaster of American Shorei/Shorin
Karate by Hanshi
John Pachivas, Grandmaster
of Shuri-ryu Karatedo. The American Open
Kata are essential to a good mental and physical foundation of karatedo
basics. These kata are designed to compete with today's
tournament competition in the open and traditional form divisions.
American Open
Goshin Waza (realistic techniques
against strikes and
grabs) evolve from
a variety of Okinawan, Japanese, Chinese, and Korean styles such as
Shuri-ryu,
Shotokan,
Jiu-Jitsu,
Kenpo,
and Hapkido.
These self-defense waza are
designed to be effective against an opponent from outside, to inside, to on-the-ground
ranges.
American Open
Kobudo consists of ancient weaponry
such as the bo and jo staff, oar, escrima, nunchaku, sai, kama, and katana
sword. Many of these weapons are practiced at the Yudansha (black
belt) level.
American Open
Kumite Techniques (traditional kumite,
point karate, full contact
karate, kickboxing, and Muay Thai boxing) come from world champions, such
as Joe Lewis and Bill
Wallace. These sparring techniques are used in reactionary drills
and sparring to condition students for sport karate competition.
American Open Style Karate
is not
just a system of self-defense, physical fitness, and competition. It is
a true art which stresses character building by instilling traditional values
of discipline, responsibility, confidence, humility, courtesy, and respect.
American Open Style students
learn to overcome their fears and weaknesses by gaining confidence through
the martial arts. In return, American Open Style karateka
learn to avoid or walk
away from a physical confrontation, if possible, but defend themselves or
others, if absolutely necessary.
The best self-defense is no defense!
American Open Style
is
a way of discipline, not a religion. The spiritual aspects are based on
Christian biblical principles.
American Open Style
stems
from a great heritage that is influenced by many of the greatest martial
artist in our era. Renshi Ricky and Randy Smith look forward to training
all students to their fullest potential...mind, body, and spirit, in this
elaborate system of quality study --
American Open Style Karate.
CREDITS TO AMERICAN
OPEN STYLE KARATE:
Jerry C. Piddington's
Instructors:
Caylor Adkins - Shotokan
Tom Crites - Shorin-ryu
Mike Stone - American Karate Champion - Shorin-ryu
Robert A. Trias (1922-1989) - The Father of American Karate - Shuri/Shorei
Tadashi Yamashita - Japanese/American Karate Pioneer - Shorin-ryu
Ed Parker (1931-1990) - The Father of American Kenpo Karate
Chris Armstrong - Goju-ryu
Al Dacascos - Kajukenbo
Ricky and Randy Smith's Instructors:
Ronnie Gregory - Tae Kwon Do
Gary Basinger - Kyokushinkai
Dave Adams - Jee Do Kwan / Kickboxing
Joe Lewis - World Kickboxing Champion
Billy Davis - Jiu Jitsu
Troy Price - Shintoyoshin-ryu Jiu Jitsu
Ridgely Abele - Chief Instructor of Shuri-ryu
Jerry Piddington - Founder of American Open Style / Headmaster of American
Shorei/Shorin
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