The Difference between Cross training and Cross Ranking

 

As someone who has researched and trained across multiple martial arts, I’ve learned that cross training and cross ranking are fundamentally different and most importantly that one martial art doesn’t automatically transfer to another.

For me, cross training means stepping outside your core system to study additional arts, which builds versatility but doesn’t grant one rank in those new styles. For example, taking boxing lessons to improve my striking mechanics helps me become a more complete fighter, but it doesn’t make me a ranked boxer.

On the other hand, cross ranking, where someone receives an equivalent or honorary belt in a different martial art, doesn’t always reflect genuine skill or technical mastery. It's my believe that ranks should represent years of committed study and formal testing within each art’s unique standards, not a shortcut based on achievements elsewhere.

The techniques, biomechanics, and tactical demands of every martial art are specific to its context. Mastery in judo, for example, doesn’t mean I’ll automatically excel in karate or boxing because each system has its own rules, skills, and ranking process. Real proficiency and legitimacy come from earning my place within each distinct discipline—not by transferring titles or experience between arts. 

As someone deeply invested in researching and practicing multiple martial arts, I see a clear distinction between cross training and cross ranking and I’ve learned firsthand that expertise or rank in one art doesn’t automatically carry over to another. When I cross train, it’s about broadening my skills and understanding by studying techniques outside my main system, like picking up boxing fundamentals as a judoka. This builds versatility and helps me adapt to different situations, but it doesn’t give me a recognized rank in that secondary art.

Cross ranking, on the other hand, is when someone tries to use achievements or a belt from one style to claim an equivalent status in another, often without going through the formal challenges or curriculum that the new art demands. For me, that shortcut doesn’t feel legitimate; proficiency in martial arts is specific to each system’s techniques, tactics, rules, and ranking standards. 

Rank should reflect dedicated study and testing in the discipline itself, not just transferable athleticism or experience. That’s why I believe in truly earning my place within each distinct martial art I pursue.

DYNAMIC KAJUKENBO YELLOW BELT TECHNIQUES PART 1

The time it takes to go from white belt to yellow belt in Kajukenbo depends on many factors, including training time, attitude, skill development and the instructor or school. There are a lot of skills to learn in Kajukenbo at even the yellow belt level, these include punches, kicks, throws, take downs, joint locks, parries, counters, footwork, head movement, to name a few. 

Kajukenbo combines a variety of techniques from which many different combinations can be performed. Combinations allow you to attack and counter your opponent while protecting yourself. By working on different combinations that involve various strikes, throws and footwork patterns, you can develop more varied and effective attacks. This can be especially important in a real fight, where the ability to mix up one's techniques and confuse one's opponent can be a major advantage. 

Important requirements for a yellow belt in Kajukenbo is a focus on proper form, mastering basic striking, blocking and throwing techniques. Yellow belt level emphasizes correct technique and proper body mechanics. Basic combinations are taught at this level, learning and utilizing basic blocking, striking and throwing/takedown sequences is crucial. Practicing proper footwork, the ability to step offline of an incoming strike/evade a punch and stance transitions is also essential at this level. 

In the following yellow belt combination you will find some of the basic yellow belt techniques; these include inward block, hammer fist, forearm strike, a right cross and basic Ippon Seoi Nage (back carry throw) commonly referred to as a shoulder throw. 

1.) The attacker is in a right foot forward fighting stance and you are in a right foot forward fighting stance.      2.) The attacker throws a straight right punch. Pivot counter clockwise on the lead foot. The rear foot slides or steps back toward three o'clock (this moves the head offline of the incoming punch) as you execute a right inward hammer fist to the attacker's right bicep.    3.) From the exact point of contact of the downward hammer fist to the opponent’s right arm, pivot back clockwise on both feet to twelve o'clock and execute a right hammer fist to the opponent’s jaw or side of neck. Your left hand remains chambered at your right shoulder.

4.) Push off the rear foot raising the heel off the ground as you strike the left side of the opponent’s neck with the outward boney area of the forearm. Your right hand chambers at your chin.   5.) Immediately, execute a right punch as your feet shift position. Your right foot shuffles back and pivots counter clockwise as the left foot moves forward toward the direction of the ten o’clock position. Follow through with the punch by turning your hand over.   6.) Push off the left foot and step forward with the right foot (toes should be pointing toward the twelve o’clock position). Strike your opponent’s right shoulder with a left heel of palm strike and grab his clothing at the area struck. This strike should be hard enough to disrupt his posture and rock him back on his heels.

7.) With a short quick jerk with the left hand, pull the opponent into you. This should rock him to his front and off of his heels. Simultaneously step your right foot straight to the inside of his right foot.  8.) Pivot on your right foot counter – clockwise and bring your left foot back between your opponent’s feet. Simultaneously pull the opponent forward and bring your right arm up under his right arm. Pinch his right bicep between your right bicep and forearm. 9.) Straighten your legs and bend at the waist popping your hips up and lifting him into the air (this is an explosive movement). Keeping your grip on the opponent, bring your left elbow downward, twisting your upper body toward your left hip to finish the throw.

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KAJUKENBO VS LEAD STRAIGHT RIGHT PUNCH

VS. Lead Straight Right Punch

1.) Both you and the opponent are standing in a right foot forward lead stance. 2.) The opponent throws a lead right straight punch (jab). Bending at both knees drop shift low and duck or slip the opponent’s incoming straight punch.  The right foot shifts back toward the three o’clock position. The left foot shifts forward toward ten o’clock. Simultaneously as you drop below the incoming punch execute a straight right punch to the opponent’s body. Your left elbow stays tight to the body and left hand protects at the chin. 3.) Pivot on both feet clockwise. Turning your left hip into the target and counter with a left shovel hook to the opponent’s body. 

4 .)  Pivot clockwise on both feet and execute a right upper cut to the opponent’s chin 5.) Execute the quick shift then push off the left foot and step forward with the right foot. As if throwing a rear hand straight punch, strike your opponent’s right shoulder with a left heel of palm strike and grab his clothing at the area struck. This strike should be hard enough to disrupt his posture and rock him back on his heels. 

(The heel of palm strike targeting the pocket of the shoulder disrupts the opponent’s posture and rocks him back onto his heels. Notice the opponent is rocked back on the heel of his left foot and his lead foot is off the ground)

6.) With a short quick jerk with the left hand, pull the opponent into you. This should rock him to his front and off of his heels. Simultaneously step your right foot straight to the inside of his right foot. 

7.) Pivot on your right foot counter – clockwise and bring your left foot back between your opponent’s feet. Simultaneously pull the opponent forward and bring your right arm up under his right arm. Pinch his right bicep between your right bicep and forearm. 

(The toes of both of your feet should be in line with the toes of his right foot. Your knees should be bent and your axis forward. Your belt line should be a few inches lower than your opponent’s beltline. Your opponent should be up on his toes, his balance broken forward).

8.) Straighten your legs and bend at the waist popping your hips up and lifting him into the air (this is an explosive movement). 9.) Keeping your grip on the opponent, bring your left elbow downward, twisting your upper body toward your left hip to finish the throw.