What are your opinions on the Keysi Fighting Method?

Well, I will say this:

The pensador stance is very similar to a stance we use in the Bujinkan called Hoko no Kamae. When I went through a seminar for a straight, no-nonsense form of Bujinkan Taijutsu called ShinkenTaijutsu, Hoko was the base protective stance, and for many of the same reasons (good defensibility with strong striking surfaces out).

From what I've seen (the basic lessons so far) Keysi has a lot of potential, but isn't nearly there. There's gaping openings in a lot of their training, but I believe a good martial artist will see these and be able to close them. Their fetal position (Called, I believe, Depredador Foetal) leaves you open and being struck as you climb to your feet and puts you in close, rather than pulling you back and away.

I feel like their focus is on reengagement, rather than getting you to a safe place (which should be the goal of any self-defense training).

Their grappling appears to be done by completely lowering the guard to move in for a grab or clinch. The pensador posture, however, could be manipulated to create a good grappling point without giving up a defensive posture.

My estimation is they should spend less time on the production value, and more time on closing up the holes in their technique. The speed and angle of the videos hides a lot of it, but those who train to survive an encounter will see the openings, and I worry an assailant might too. Personally, I feel that these can be overcome, but it'll take time.

Finally, their teaching method involves training from videos, and maybe one day if you can afford the expense, traveling to them to train. There are good teachers right in your neighborhood – why not make use of them? You need to have eyes for body positioning, balance, and defense to be able to make real use of the videos, and your average practitioner is just not going to see it.

I really hope you won't take it as bashing it – I do feel it has the potential, but I'm not sure if, under Justo and Andy, they'll ever quite reach it.

@You need to have eyes for body positioning, balance, and defense to be able to make real use of the videos

Heh, I think that's true. But then, doesn't that mean there should be a video course on how to analyze martial arts videos for H2H applications?

As for KFM, given its connections to Jeet Kun Do I would say that if you enter into it with some martial arts or fighting background, it would be much easier to learn.

I am unsure as to how much a novice will get out of it. After all, I don't even know what their goals and priorities are. Self defense, certainly, but what kind of self defense?

Krav Maga is probably one of the most deadly martial art the wrold has to offer. If a man was proficient in Keysi and a another man was proficent in Krav Maga. The man who knows Krav Maga will almost certainly win. Some it's General principles include: Counter attacking as soon as possible (or attacking preemptively). Targeting attacks to the body's most vulnerable points such as the eyes, jaw, throat, groin, knee etc. Neutralizing the opponent as quickly as possible by responding with an unbroken stream of counter attacks and if necessary a take down/joint break. Maintaining awareness of surroundings while dealing with the threat in order to look for escape routes, further attackers, objects that could be used to defend or help attack and so on.

Hi. My opinion of kfm comes based on my reasons for wanting to learn it.

If I wanted to learn a martial art to go into sports or competition I would not pick keysi.

However I don't want to compete.

I am a security guard with no formal self defense training. I know how to restrain people if I should have to, but if hypothetically I am working one night and I get jumped by 5 guys who are passed that I kicked them out last week, I need to know how to survive that and for me keysi will teach me that.

keysi relies on instinct more than training. As I saw further up a martial artist could capitalize on certain breaks in form and shape that is part of keysi.

That is completely true. In a competitive environment a more structured and complete martial art would be able to do exactly that.

However when your out in the street and you get attacked, there are no bells to signal a time out, there are no referees to pull the guy off you if he goes too far and there are no rules. keysi wins for me

Keysi trains you to react quickly and violently. There are no forms or katas. It's based on practicality and what works. You switch from defensive to offensive. The idea is to destroy you opponent(s) and get away safely. Good info website listed below:

I think it is pretty cool and it can be very effective based on the fighter.

Pros: Instinctive, strong and defensive face and head guard, brutal usage of elbows and head butts.

Con: Fairly young, lacks in range, leaves your body open to attacks.