United Studios of Self Defense

A lot of their schools Dont have good teachers. Some just know how to run businesses and Dont know how to provide quality teaching.

I am a former instructor for Ussd and I may not necessarily agree with some of the pitching that goes on in some schools but I always taught great quality in my school. I am only making comment on this old post because of the only buy their gear post. I used to think it was marlarky until I saw a student get their eye almost knocked out the socket. By a simple defect in the gear that wasn't ours.

Our insurance company at least at the time only covered certain manufactures of products and we know that all products from Bushido martial arts are insurance approved. Would you want me to knowingly allow your child to spar against someone with weighted gloves. Or if the open face mask gear that was bought from the karate school down the road was defected and your child got a broken nose. Who would be liable.

The gear issues is definitely for the safety of your child and our liability. But you are absolutely right about quality of teachings. Because USSD has 300 schools if you want good application training you need find a school with a master in the school. If not your only learning techniques.

White , yellow, orange and purple are technique levels. You Dont really have to know how to use it to get promoted you just need to know the technique. However a master will be picky and start your application early. I didn't learn my applications until blue belt and I didnt really learn anything until after I got my black belt.

Its when you get your black belt and realize that you still know nothing. That you begain to actually learn that your still a white belt. The purpose of the first five belts is so that you feel accomplishment. People are lazy and want to move up the rank system.

The color system of Chinese martial arts does not exist.

When your white belt turned black from all your sweat and blood then you were a black belt. First thing someone should ask though is what is Shaolin Kempo Karate?

Welcome to the real world. Life is about Dollors and cents.

We as parents need to embrace the good with the bad. We critique other and yet I've too have seen parents leave their children for an hour, like if the Karate location is a day care. Let's teach our childern not hinder their abilities.

In other words, STOP complaining.

Just do what I do & go drunk. ;)

i cant stand this company.its like a 3 ring circus.i also noticed they cant keep the same instructor

I will not go through the trouble of personally calling out individual instructors, as I believe at one point, their hearts were in a place that were right instead of inline waiting for the bucks to roll in... BUT...their business practices are an entire other story!!!!!

They paid their instructors as independent contractors...even though they told them what to do and when to work...which meant they could virtually eliminate worker's comp insurance. When my family member was injured (as an employee) and could no longer work there, he was out on his rear. No worker's comp to cover his rehab and healing...no doctor's coverage... NOTHING.

Their attitude? He just didn't want it bad enough. I cannot abide by nor recommend to anyone a company that treats its most valuable resources...their employees...with such a high disregard . Now they are in the midst of a lawsuit with former instructors who chose to split off from USSD and begin a new company...

USSD split once before over Charles Mattera's (not sure of the spelling) and the other former founder's (sorry, don't remember his name) egos... No surprise that as he comes to more and more believe in his own greatness that more choose to separate from his rule...

Of course some of it will never work. Do you think the 50 strike combo is designed to hit them 50 times.

No. Its so that you keep moving and understand the waterfall. Its so that you have confidence and that at least one of the strikes will hit. Martial arts is not about the technique its about learning the discipline of yourself.

The confidence to not be afraid and stand your groundm your gonna get hit. I never heard this before , that you had to take the master class.

is that something they do there because the master is there. I used to be a Ussd instructor but they did me wrong and I left them however I have found some schools of theirs that are 100s and I have found some of their schools to be negative 10

Christine I am sure they told you that it was not their doing that it was Advantage Billing or something like that. The problem here is that thats the billing company.

By law I cannot call advantage billing and speak on your behalf and unenroll your child. I can only notify advantage billing that your no longer taking classes. However advantage requires a 30 day notice from you. If you did not fax them or send them a cancelation notice they will charge you until you do.

Its not USSD. Ussd Dont bill you they get a big check from advantage. If they had to be on the phone with advantage or take payment in the office all day then there would t be anytime for teaching.

There really is not any teaching g going on in group class anyways. Group classes are for practice and the private lesson is for learning.

WAHH! :cry USSD only cares about money?

AMERICA only cares about money! And all your in-effective complaining only serves as further proof of your ignorance. If you don't like how your money/country is being run, or how the money is handled, get off you *** and DO SOMETHING about it instead of whining like a bunch of little squealing piggies on the internet blaming a company like USSD or Z Ultimate for only trying to survive like every other American Co. in this hellish American economy.

I have dealt with these companies plenty, and I can tell you that most of the complaints on here are from people who probably didn't read the contract they signed when registering. If the instructor didn't inform you of these policies when you started, well then, they suck. THAT'S STILL NO EXCUSE FOR YOU NOT READING THE "FINE PRINT". THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A SURE THING.

Grow up people.

You obviously have zero experience in Jiu-

jitsu to make such a ridiculous example. Don't bash what you don't know!

First of all in an age of MMA, Krav Maga, and a host of excellent Reality Based Martial Arts, Kenpo Karate isn't a good choice for Self-Defense. It is a waste of time and money.

After I made the time, energy, and financial commitment and got to the advanced class at USSD, it took me a while to figure out THEY DON'T TEACH NEW MATERIAL IN THE GROUP CLASS. One has to pay for the HIGH PRICED private classes to learn new material for one's next belt.

Test

It's *not* Kempo , it was never Kempo , merely watered kajukenbo that villari got from Cerio , do some checking behind Villari there folks. And the scam is just the same right up through USSD and all the other permutations.

And the villari USSD apologists can *** me , very rarely can any of you folks *defend* yourselves , much less actually fight a lick.

You *do not* " train at the Shaolin Temple" . you take a vacation trip there and call it " training".

Before you start with *me* , I *burned* a USSD Sandan certificate , and I have a standing challenge on the mat to any and all Villari of USSD system black belts , including a;; the ones that went from purple or blue to black overnight.

My son Brennan goes to the Dojo in Santa Barbara Ca, could not be more happy. All this ragging on USSD is a joke.

Parents will not get ripped off year after year, that simple. Most people post *** and don't leave an e-mail or anything if you want a great school ussd is great, not to say there are some that are not but im 100% satisfied mware14343@***.com

There is a reason they split in half and the other half became zultimate. If you want good beginner training take jijutisu or goto the community center.

Find an instructor not motivated by money. Ussd has over 300 schools . there is no way they can keep a handful of quality instructors . some schools are good some schools are bad.

If you were in my school you would have a check list and when you knew the material you could test. If you failed then younshoukdnt have told me you were ready.

Try finding an American Kenpo school. Ed Parker's American Kenpo, as well as dojo's that teach the related Tracy System, have always been very welcoming, accommodating, affordable and professional.

They usually won't push you into believing that they are the original true source of real martial arts or any of the other tactics USSD tries. In fact, if you have an AKKI or IKKA sponsored dojo in your area, it is well worth it. And, because all Kenpo/Kempo evolved out of the Chuan-Fa system, there are common roots, principals and concepts that you'd adapt to very easily.

Advancement should come easier for that very reason.

You probably had an assistant instructor. Dont get fooled by the red belt.

I had my red belt when I was an orange belt. I was a great teacher bit I couldn't teach brown belt material. I really agree with a lot of you . the business doesn't have the quality because they Dont have 300 masters.

Most of their teachers are still at blue belt level. They have their black belts but don't know how to use any of it. Just know the moves.

And that's why when you go from one school to another they explanation will be different. It wasn't until I transfered into a school with a master in it that I was able to notice this.

To teach the complete shaolin in America is very hard, most Americans want a quick lesson on how to kick but and real shaolin is far deeper than that however if you really no anything about kung *** then you also understand Tao lu, young fa, and bein hua which if you use those 3 you will then see that yes Ussd does have shaolin influence which would explain the fact that they go to the shaolin temple every 10 or so years. Used is a complete system, their forms have origins all you need to do is research.

I go to the USSD in San Anselmo. I have been going for the last 8 months and have had an amazing experience.

My son also goes. The Head Sensei who owns the Dojo is incredible as are the other Sensei's.

The students and the place in general is fantastic. I get my money's worth and more with all that is offered here.

I owned a USSD dojo for almost 10 years, and while it is true that the quality of training will always depend on the instructor, I found the instructor, as a group, to be highly well trained.

There we a number of comments in the blogs above complaining about the cost of USSD training. I have to say that I never saw a lack of MA business competition in my town, so people certainly has their choice of locations and prices. If my prices were too hign, or if the quality of instruction were poor, I would lose business, but my studio was successful. I will add that my prices were generally higher than my competitors, and yet I rarely had a shortage of students, so we muct have been doing something right in order to sign up new students, and more importantly, to hold on to existing ones.

I was also a USSD student at a different dojo and found the training to be effective.

Did some instructors cross ethical lines? Clearly some did, and most were weeded out. Some were never caught. I find it difficult, however, to imagine any system where that might not be the case.

Is Kempo/Kenpo the best MA system? If you know anything about MA you know that no system is the best. I believe that USSDs Kempo system could be improved my a greater emphasis on ground work, because most fights end on the ground, but it is hardly the only system that places greater emphasis on stand-up fighting.

USSD has been criticised for operating McDojo's, and yet this criticism must stem from people who have an issue with successful business practices. To me, the term McDojo represents a system that offers quality and consistency across the spectrum of studios. My hat is off to USSD for developing a system with such effective quality control that a student can move from one USSD school to another and continue his/her studies without a hitch.

I don't have the time to answer all of the criticisms noted in this blog, and USSD has enough faults to go around, but all-in-all, it is a good company, led by highly respected martial artists who have a demonstrated ability to teach and to run successful businesses.

...and by the way, the teaching of martial arts is a business. Doesn't it make sense that you would want to be as successful in your business endeavors as you are in your martial arts?

I,unfortunately, had a bad experience at a USSD dojo. The instructor knee I was having physical problems but he constatly berated and put me down. Its sad, I think the instructors teaching at any dojo should be required to have a license or be registered with the state, so if one has a complaint.one has somewhere to go.

I think it is absolutely necessary to place cameras within these studios. This is a business where adults, young adults, and children train! It's not to be used for your personal pleasure!

Ok.....I know some will think that much of these individuals are former instructors who have been weeded out or competetors wanting to place negativity on a name, or some *** who hasn't even tried the Art (which may all be true)...BUT I honestly am someone who has been a parent, a student, and a friend to the USSD family. I used to believe in this company.

I WAS amazed to see how it affected my children in a positive way. I THOUGHT that the instructors were knowledgable, helpful, and caring. I USED to be in awe when meeting all Masters and hardworking instructors. Most of this has changed.

Before I continue, I do want to say...there are a FEW instructors that DO care. There are a FEW who have the love for the Art. And there are a FEW who work there butts off to build what they have started, have the dojo grow, and who really care for the well-being of others to be able to protect and defend themselves. But this is a company.

This is a business. And much of it is about the $$$. Yes, it is true, if you find that dojo who has an instructor who really cares, it's all worth it. But honestly most of them aren't that way.

My main gripe is they teach you about RESPECT, DISCIPLINE, HONOR, LOVING YOURSELF and OTHERS, KNOWING YOUR SELF WORTH, and trying to build YOUR SELF CONFIDENCE. But what does that matter when you DON'T practice what you teach? How can you teach someone to live their life with these characteristics and values when you yourself don't follow them? I know of instructors who are alcoholics, drug users, have had trouble with the law, have had affairs with other students and other instructors which have resulted in families broken and children hurt.

How can you teach my daughter to respect herself and have self confidence and self worth when you as an instructor have done nothing but sleep around from dojo to dojo???

The ART is a beautiful thing that should be shared by all but it will cost you with them. Just BE AWARE looks are deceiving!!!

As a former USSD Instructor I can tell you point blank. The system does work however, the company as a whole is a MONEY MAKING VENTURE.

Not to say that this is unusual for any and all martial arts schools,but ussd has unfortunatley taken advantage and really started to goudge people. The red belt asst. instructors are students themselves and are NOT BLACK BELT INSTRUCTORS. They are in actuality, FREE LABOR for the Instructor.

USSD insists that you buy ALL uniforms and equipment from them. They will then charge you in excess if $120.00 for a $40.00 uniform and $50.00 for $15.00 karate shoes. And so on,and so forth. I became disheartened when I felt more like a car salesman than a Sensei.I love the arts, and loved teaching however, I am not in the business of ripping people off.

They apparently are. Buyer beware!

As for the "Child Molestation" comment, There was no proof and by all accounts the accusation was made by a disgruntled patron. As Per Amy's comment about not letting your kids train there because of this I only have this to say. In my dojo there were cameras,multiple cameras.

As a father, my own kids were there constantly. And I always invited parents to stay or pop in continuously during lessons.

Further more,by your logic perhaps no one should go to a catholic church either because if one preist perhaps maybe molested a child, they must all do it.Right? Dont be a fool.

as a former instructor of USSD I\'ll tell you this, they dont care about the student unless you are willing to pay the ripoff fees and put up with the illusion that they are so great. Being fair; there are some good instructors that really do care about the art and take the time to really teach.

That though is a small handfull. Most of the instructors have big heads and think they are all that. USSD is a business....not a martial arts change. They art of Kempo is good and they do have a good martial art...if they would learn to teach it right.

They burn out instructors and students. Matt - Pinan #1 (all 5 Pinans) are from Karate. Pinan #1 itself is taught in the many different styles of Karate and Tae Kwon Do. Kempo put more of a Kung *** spin on it; that is why the moves are mor circular and soft.

The 5 Katas I believe were of Karate descent excpet for Kata#6 which (from what I have heard) was created by Mr. Fred Vallari. They forms taught at Black Belt are of a more Shaolin Kung *** style. Amy- that is a very hefty comment, that should be backed up with where you saw that.

I know that a lot of those instructors are drunks and drug abusers and really dont have that great of moralsBottom line is this...USSD is like Starbucks, they are everywhere, they know how to market and are smart in business. They charge way too much (they have to find some way to pay for those massively exspensive cars) and dont put to much care into the students or instructors. If you now or plan on signing up at a USSD, be very careful, ask a billion questions about the instructor (how long has he/she been a black belt-certificate should be hung, how long has the school been there?

what equipment is used? Yes all the USSD dojos are clean....dosent mean they are good dojo\'s.

Those prices are crazy. Let me say, I am a sensei, but not with USSD.

My head instructor Prof. XXX started a long time ago, reaching Black Belt(+) in USSD before moving directly under Prof. Nick Cerio. I trained in Nick cerio's kenpo under him for years, but we also did the numbered system too...best of both worlds.

I reached Black belt under my instuctor twice so far (Nidan) and guess how much I have paid for my BB ranks?

Nothing at all.

My time, effort and helping teach classes here and there when I can is all he expects. I guess I lucked out with a great teacher!!!!

I think the people who complain about certain martial arts and schools are most likely those who were weeded out or have not tried that particular system.

These are the same types of comments from people who talk about going to "law school" or "medical school" or business school yada yada yada but fail to do so. Really, it's better if you turn a deaf ear to these people.

USSD has been nothing but a great experience for both of our daughters. We have no complaints with the staff they are awesome & competent.

We really get our moneys worth. To all prior posts: it is not fair for you to state they charge $250 a month. All this varies on there programs.

We tried other dojos prior to USSD and they can't compare, other dojos seemed more like a daycare which was ridiculous.

These instructors are competent and great at what they do, it is there full time job. Not one of those dojos where the instructors come in from four and on. Private lessons totally worth it.

We have seen nothing but positive progress with our children. Just like in martial arts, boxing it is up to the student to make the most of it and apply there self defense.

And BTW Amy - WTF are you talking about? 'RAPPING' children?

If this is about music then who cares.

If it is about sexual assault then please provide some evidence of this. Otherwise we just assume you are an angry dork who throws out false claims.....

What a bunch of whiny posers... USSD is a business that teaches a very effective form of martial arts and self defense.

It is the same business model that other sports use (including PADI for Scuba Diving). If you are concerned about 'what is Shaolin' and 'what is Kung *** then you have more problems than what USSD teaches.

It's a great workout, the skills definitely work (if you put the time in - that's the only way to develop muscle memory) and the dojos are clean and fun. I don't know who is paying $250 a month but I am paying almost $100 less than that!

4 ussd instructors were arressted this year for RAPPING CHILDREN!! Gee should you take your kids there to train?

United studios of self defense is a waste of time and ALL YOUR MONEY! Their system of shaolin is just from fred villari.

Mattera left villaris in 1989 and has since then ranked himself to 9th and 10th degree.

Shaolin only has 9 degrees! Waste your money with ussd and have all your friends kick your *** and laugh at you for spending $250 a month for lessons with ussd.

The pinans are not from tkd. They were developed by Anko Itosu, who was a legendary Okinawa karateka. TKD took them rarher recently.

8) There are definitely some things which I think could be improved. For exampe, the test fees went up another $15.

That's kind of a bummer. I guess you get a $20 t-shirt now, but if I wanted a shirt, I'd just buy one. Overall though, compared to the last place I was training, the material is structured, the instructors are actually competant and I've never been in a USSD studio that's a *** hole (unlike my former dojo). Lesson fees?

eh... it is what it is. You can complain all you want, but bottom line is you're not going to get quality private lessons included for what these guys charge. I've looked and tried the other guys.

Furthermore, I personally just want to have fun learning and get a good work out. I'm tired of all the macho "my kung *** is better than your kung *** instructors. If they're that good in the first place, what do they have to prove? And another thing, I don't have to train with little kids.

I can go to my adult class and train with adults (another reason why I hated my taekwondo dojo). So, yeah...

there's people that are going to *** and moan about these guys, but its really the same people that just whine about everything. Give USSD a shot.