Curriculum
San Do Kuen martial arts is not a fixed martial arts system. In other words, we do not teach every student the same set of technique. We have our Foundation Curriculum (see below) for the first four belt levels (White, Yellow, Purple, Orange), and then every program is customized to the individual from Blue Belt on up. There are several important reasons that we teach this way:
- Every student has a unique body type, movement style, athletic background and set of training goals.
- One person’s best technique will be another person’s worst – one size does not fit all.
- There is simply too much to know. There is no way for a non-professional martial arts student to become excellent at every technique in their instructor’s repertoire.
- By treating every student as an individual we get to know their “style.” In doing so, we are able to help them refine their technique more specifically.
Special Considerations
Brown & Black Belt Students: San Do Kuen offers certification through 5th Degree Black Belt. Students who have earned their brown belt or above in Isshinryu, Choy Lay Fut or Combat Arnis may choose to continue their training in their base system, or pursue the San Do Kuen training program for their black belts levels. Black Belts who choose to remain in their base system will be limited by that system and will not be cross-trained until it is completed. Black belts from other systems will be treated as new students and must complete the SDK Foundation Curriculum.
Private Students: Students of any level who train on a exclusively private basis will pursue a highly customized training program based on their time commitment and training goals
San Do Kuen Foundation Curriculum
All curriculum for belts Blue and above is custom designed for each student and is therefore not listed here. For details contact Julian Aprile.
White – Yellow Belt
Stances & Guards
- Even Stance
- Right Stance
- Left Stance
- High & Low Guard
Hand Techniques
- 8-Count Punching & Blocking Drill
- 14 Count Elbows
- Triple Strike
- Hook Punches
- Chop Choy
Punching Combinations (For Training Purposes)
- Triple Strike + High Reverse Punch
- Triple Strike + High Reverse Punch + Lead Hook + Rear Chop Choy
- Triple Strike + Rear Hook + Lead Chop Choy
- Triple Strike + Rear Chop Choy + Lead Chop Choy
- Triple Strike + Rear Chop Choy + Lead Hook
Yellow – Purple Belt
Feet Techniques
- Inside Knee Kick
- Roundhouse
- Straight Kick
- Side Kick
- Inside & Outside Crescent Kicks
- Spinning Back Kick
Kicking Combinations (For Training Purposes)
- Rear Inside Knee Kick + Lead Low Side Kick
- Rear Inside Knee Kick + Lead Roundhouse Kick (Sweep)
- Rear Inside Crescent Kick + Low Side Kick + Spinning Back Kick
- Lead Outside Crescent Kick + Rear Inside Knee Kick + Lead Roundhouse Kick
- Lead Outside Crescent Kick + Lead Roundhouse
Purple – Orange Belt
Weapons
- Single Sinawali Drill
- 2 Sticks
- 1 Stick
- Empty Hands
- Blocking
- Striking
- Staff
- Knife
- Standard Grip
- Reverse Grip
- Double Sinawali Drill
- 2 sticks
Blue Belt & Above
To earn all remaining belts (Blue, Green, Brown3, Brown2, Brown1, Black1 – 5) students must choose 1 of 3 paths that will guide their learning:
Cross-Training
There will be some cross training required for each path to create results. Some of the common overlapping areas of curriculum are listed below:
Hand Techniques:
- Empty hand stick defense
- Empty hand knife defense
- Close range trapping, locking & arm bars
- Vertical fist striking
- Palm striking
- Elbow striking
Weapons Techniques:
- Hard Style Staff & Sinawali
- Hard Style Staff & Chinese Spear
- Stick Blocking/Striking & Chinese Broadsword
- Stick Blocking/Striking & Okinawan Kama
- Knife & Chinese Broadsword/Double Butterfly Knife


