- Paul Vunak
Paul Vunak is a
California -basedmartial art ist and known as the founder of Progressive Fighting Systems (PFS).By fourteen, he had achieved his first black belt in
Taekwondo . Paul began to explore other styles such asKenpo andHung Gar (Tiger Crane)Gung Fu . Within three years, he had earned another black belt (in Kenpo). In August 1976, the school where Paul studied Kenpo closed and he enrolled inDan Inosanto 's Filipino Kali Academy, achieving the rank of Full Instructor in Jeet Kune Do/Kali in July 1988.Vunak teaches his version of
Jeet Kune Do (JKD) under the name of Progressive Fighting Systems. It is widely regarded as a street-effective system known for its emphasis on headbutts, knees, and elbows thrown from trapping range (most notably, the clinch). These techniques form the basis of the system's Rapid Assault Tactics (RAT) program. Typically the stick and knife are also taught, with techniques drawn from the Filipino martial art of Kali.Vunak emphasizes that Jeet Kune Do is not about superior technique but about the development of efficient fighting and superior attributes. He states that there is no superior technique in martial arts, only superior training methods. The techniques of JKD, as Vunak states, are drawn from many martial arts. The goal is to use a technique for only a short period until the range or situation changes and calls for a better technique (possibly from a different art); even the signature
Wing Chun straight blast and headbutt techniques are only to be used for as long as the situation warrants.Vunak purports that the outcome of combat is determined by range and further claims that no one art has a monopoly on all the ranges. JKD borrows from the various martial arts' techniques, training methods, or sometimes concepts. Since one must be able to adapt to the interruption of one technique and flow into the next, he says using different arts is necessary. While many martial artists claim to have been asked to teach members of the military, Paul Vunak truly has been retained to teach special operations groups and law enforcement officials.
He has produced, and starred in, a large number of self-defence videos and DVDs, [ [http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/20/fashion/20fight.html?ex=1313726400&en=9a1c0964175a58e4&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss Video] ] oriented toward rapid attainment of self-defense skills. Many of these advertise the same training provided to the SEALs and other military and law enforcement groups. The RAT System upon which they are based is intended for quick assimilation. He also has made DVDs on Jeet Kune Do and has written books and articles.
In 2006 he began to promote his DEFCON ("Defensive Conditions") /"Executive PFS" system, which promised to add more
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and awareness-based self-defense strategies to PFS. As of August 25, 2006, however, Paul Vunak is no longer affiliated with PFS Video or DEFCON, and has parted ways with his senior instructor Bruce Corrigan.Fact|date=January 2008 He continues to promote the Executive PFS system.His senior instructors are Armando Basulto, Trevor Clarkson, Thomas Cruse, Bob and Janet Giambrone, Mike Faraone, Michael Gruener, Makoto Kabayama, Jack McVicker, and Joe Soliz.
References
External links
* [http://www.fighting.net/ Paul Vunak's home page]
* [http://www.fighting.net/pfs_vunak.html Biography] of Paul Vunak
* [http://www.BehavioralDefenseSolutions.com PFS - JKD Massachusetts - RAT (Rapid Assault Tactics)]
* [http://www.behavioraldefensesolutions.com/videos.html Video Explaining Rapid Assault Tactics (RAT)]
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