Sidekick Karate Concord

American Open Style Karate


Karate 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. Trias founded the United States Karate Association (USKA), the first karate organization in America, with almost every early top karate instructor in its membership. 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) = Empty Hand

In 1976, 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, North Carolina, 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. 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 called kumite. American Open Kata, the most formal of karate exercises (ancient weapons and empty-hand) were created by Grandmaster Piddington under the influence of Okinawan styles of karatedo such as Shotokan-ryu, 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 Karatedo by John Pachivas, Grandmaster of Shuri-ryu. 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, Judo, Grappling, Shintoyoshin-ryu Jui-Jitsu, Shurite Ju-Jutsu, Kyusho-Jutsu, Kenpo, Aikido, Wing Chun, Chin-Na, Jeet Kune Do, Krav Maga, Tae Kwon Do, 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 that include traditional kumite, point karate, continuous sparring, full contact karate, kickboxing, grappling, and Muay Thai boxing come from world champions, such as Joe Lewis, Bill Wallace, Howard Jackson, and Chuck Norris. 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. Ricky and Randy Smith 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 TO AMERICAN OPEN STYLE KARATE:

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 Yamash*ta - Japanese/American Karate Pioneer - Shorin-ryu
Ed Parker (1931-1990) - The Father of American Kenpo Karate
Chris Armstrong - Goju-ryu
Al Dacascos - Kajukenbo

Ricky and Randy Smith's Instructors:
Ronnie Gregory - Tae Kwon Do
Gary Basinger - Kyokushinkai
Dave Adams - Jee Do Kwan / Kickboxing
Joe Lewis - World Kickboxing Champion
Troy Price - Shintoyoshin-ryu Jiu Jitsu / Shurite Ju-Jutsu
Ridgely Abele - Chief Instructor of Shuri-ryu
Jerry Piddington - Founder of American Open Style / Headmaster of American Shorei/Shorin