The American Open Style Karate system of study with Master Roger Dabney and his staff 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) = Karate (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. In 2003, Renshi Roger Dabney, 6th Degree Black Belt, began teaching the American Open Style techniques at Competitive Edge Karate, in Richmond VA, as a registered AKANA dojo. 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 Roger Dabney and his staff 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:

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