Do Kenpo Folks Need A Ground Game?

Wait, is that even a serious question? Does Kenpo need ground training?

It amazes me that, even in 2016, many martial artists dismiss the effectiveness and threat that grapplers represent.

Let's rewind to 1993, when some scrawny twerp named Royce put down three guys in one evening....then again in 1994. Then he brought his cousins, and they put some cats down.

Yeah, I've heard the excuses: "If eye gouges were allowed, they wouldn't have been successful. We eye gouge in Kenpo, ya know."

Because eye gouging is obviously a high-level skill, to be learned over many years of hard training. </sarcasm>.

Now, we return to 2016...and still  most Kenpo folks willingly stay in the dark when it comes to dealing with ground-gamers. Some add it to the system, some cross-train - and all that is awesome. Then there's some (more so than the previous group) who talk up and down on the internet about self-defense, but don't even work breakfalls...let alone mount escapes....

Why? Seriously, why? Is it some stellar takedown defense? Is it the myth that Delayed Sword works just as well when you're mounted and being choked? Is it because grappling wasn't mentioned in Ed Parker's last written curriculum?

Here's the most painful question to ask: Why in the Hell are we talking about self-defense, when we ignore one of the biggest fighting ranges?

I personally believe, with all my heart, that it is arrogant, foolhardy and hypocritical to claim self-defense training or intent, but only address one side of it; that goes for Kenpo, and for any art out there. The word 'complete' has become an easy marketing term for martial arts boasting their fighting ability, but I do not believe any single art is truly 'complete' (including my core art of American Kenpo).

To answer the original question: YES, Kenpo needs ground work. Whether the curricula practiced by various schools evolves to include it, or the individual practitioner seek it out on their own; it remains a vital and necessary endeavor.