who is Fred Neff

Everybody�s Martial Arts Books sells books that are based on only some areas of Fred Neff�s martial arts training. Certain teachers and training acted as the foundation for these books. This paragraph briefly outlines the martial arts training and teachers that provided a substantial amount of the knowledge that acted as the basis for these books.

Major Barney Neff of the United States Marine Corps first introduced Fred Neff to the fighting arts and continued to provide training to him for many years. The lessons taught by Major Neff have had a great influence on the content of some of Fred Neff�s books. Barney Neff was very active in sports before World War II. He trained in boxing, wrestling and practical self-defense tactics. Barney Neff served in the military during and after World War II. During that service he trained in boxing, wrestling and various other fighting approaches. Later as a civilian he took an active role in the fighting arts which included training other people self-defense, training boxers, serving as a Golden Gloves director, a Minnesota Deputy Commissioner of Boxing and a Minnesota Athletic Commission inspector. In his youth he was trained in St. Paul, Minnesota by members of the Gibbons family of boxers. Boxer Mike Gibbons in particular played a very positive role in the development of Barney Neff�s approach to boxing. Bert Randolph Sugar names and discusses Mike Gibbons in his book The 100 Greatest Boxers of All Time.

Mike Gibbons was not only a great boxer, but a talented trainer. He supplied valuable training to his brother Tom Gibbons, who fought Jack Dempsey for the Heavy weight boxing championship of the world. He also trained his son Jack Gibbons who was a very talented and successful professional boxer. Mike Gibbons also trained other successful boxers and provided valuable lessons in the art of self-defense. His superlative knowledge of boxing and physical fitness was called upon by the armed forces during World War I, where he acted as a trainer of soldiers. After the war Mike Gibbons continued to do a wonderful job training people in the art of boxing. Wikipedia says Mike Gibbons �is regarded as one of the all-time best welter and middle weight boxers by historians.�

Fred Neff first started to study Judo at the YMCA. Over the years he studied with various black belt Judo teachers in the twin cities of Minnesota. He was awarded a first degree black belt in Judo in 1971 and became a certified active black belt member of the United States Judo Association.

One of Fred Neff�s more influential karate teachers was Albert Church, Jr., who formally recognized Fred Neff as a Shihan along with his black belt ranking at a ceremony held at Inver Hills College in 1974.

In the article of ONE WAY TO CHECK ON A BLACK BELT�S CREDENTIALS of April of 1977 in Black Belt magazine it mentions the important role that Albert Church Jr. had in the Martial arts. This article refers to W. Scott Russell, who was the president of the Society of Black Belts International, as being an authority on martial arts credentials. Mr. Scott Russell�s own background is explained in the article as follows:

�studied under the Pioneer martial artist in America, Albert Church of the Nippon Kobudo Rengokai. Church is not too well-known publicly, but is considered one of founding fathers of the martial arts in America.�

Mr. Neff received in writing in August of 1974 from the same Society of Black Belts referred to that it certified that he was officially recognized as Godan in Karate.

Fred Neff�s rank in martial arts has been certified by different martial arts bodies such as the Nippon Kobudo Rengokai, the Society of Black Belts International, United States Judo Association and the United States Karate Association.

Further recognition of Fred Neff�s martial arts ability is exemplified by his being asked to teach karate classes for college credit at institutions of higher learning such as the University of Minnesota. Fred Neff has retired from teaching the fighting arts.

Fred Neff's Martial Arts Approach

In recognition of Fred Neff's uniquely successful approach to learning martial arts, he has been appointed as an instructor of martial arts for universities, colleges, and police departments. Universities and colleges have given credits to student teachers and interns, who have been sent to learn teaching techniques from Fred Neff.

Fred Neff Receives WCCO Good Neighbor Award

WCCO radio gave a good capsule summary of Fred Neff when it explained why it awarded him the GOOD NEIGHBOR AWARD:

"Today's WCCO Radio Good Neighbor believes in the Words 'People who need people are the luckiest people in the world.' He's lucky because he touches the lives of many with his guidance and inspiration. He teaches others to develop their talents. He's worked with children in the public schools and he's worked on his own as a private tutor. He's practiced Karate for nearly 30 years and he's shared his expertise with thousands of willing students. He is a fifth-degree black belt and a world-class master."

Fred Neff Awarded Title of Shihan

Fred Neff started his training in the Asian fighting arts at the age of eight. In 1974, Fred Neff received a rank of fifth-degree black belt in karate. He was also awarded the title of Shihan. Mr. Fred Neff is also proficient in kempo, judo, ju-jitsu (ju-jutsu), and certain other methods of chuan-fa (kung-fu or gung-fu). Fred Neff's study of East Asian culture has taken him to Hong Kong, Japan, the People's Republic of China and Singapore. Fred Neff has spent over fifty years studying martial arts and a large part of his life working to help other people in not only achieving martial arts skills, but with their personal concerns, challenges and goals.

Fred Neff Teaches in Minnesota and Wisconsin

For many years, Fred Neff has used his knowledge of the martial arts to educate others. Fred Neff has taught karate at the University of Minnesota, the University of Wisconsin, and Inver Hills Community College. Fred Neff has also organized and supervised karate, kempo, judo, ju-jitsu (ju-jutsu), and self-defense classes for special education programs, public schools, private institutions, and city recreation departments. Included in Fred Neff's martial arts teaching program have been self-defense classes for law enforcement officers.

Fred Neff Helps Juveniles in Edina

Mr. Fred Neff has touched the lives of many through his teaching and humanitarian efforts. Fred Neff's contributions toward helping other people have been recognized in many ways. For example, even when Fred Neff was a young man recognition of his humanistic approach to the martial arts was addressed in the Edina Sun newspaper in an article where it stated:

And because so many of the students have grown to love and trust the wiry, sincerely interested, enthusiastic young man, they come to him with all sorts of questions-ranging from boy-girl problems, to running away from home, to pregnancy.

Neff's classes encompass the person as a whole being and that's why one young student waited 20 minutes after the final class in Edina was dismissed, to bow and say "thank you."

Awards to Fred Neff for Accomplishments and Community Involvement

Fred Neff has received many awards for his accomplishments and community involvement, including the Inver Hills College Student Body Excellent Instructor Award-1973; Minnesota Martial Arts Association Outstanding Instructor Award-1973; City of St. Paul Citizen of the Month Award-1975; University of Minnesota Kempo Club Appreciation Award-1975; Inver Hills College Karate Club Award for Excellence in Instruction-1976; University of Minnesota Kempo Club Teaching Appreciation Award-1978; WCCO Radio Good Neighbor Award-1985; Lamp of Knowledge Award-1986; Creative Thinker Award-1986; Justice Award-1986; Presidential Medal of Merit-1990; and the Wisdom Award of Honor-1998.

Fred Neff Author of 19 Books

Fred Neff is the author of 19 books including: Everybody's Book Of Self-Defense; Lessons From The Western Warriors; Lessons From The Eastern Warriors; Lessons From The Fighting Commandos; Lessons From The Samurai; Lessons From The Art Of Kempo; Lessons From The Japanese Masters; Basic Karate Handbook; Self-Protection Guidebook For Girls and Women, and Keeping Fit.

Philosophy of Fred Neff

Fred Neff does not claim any particular fighting art is superior to any other, but rather encourages other people to improve themselves through the practice of martial arts that meet their personal needs. Fred Neff�s open mindedness and tolerance for the broad field of martial arts systems was covered in a Hopkins Sun newspaper article where it discussed the feeling of a black belt karate instructor who moved from another state to Minnesota and visited a number of schools before meeting Fred Neff:

"When I met Fred, I was very happy to meet someone who would learn and accept my style of 'Karate.' There are many different styles of karate in the United States."

"When you learn karate, you come to believe that your style is the best. I went to a lot of schools before I met Fred and I didn't get very far till I met him,' he said."

Fred Neff - Educator

Fred Neff has taught thousands of martial arts students from the very young to senior citizens and has used that experience to help guide others in the books he has written.

Fred Neff believes in working to create a more enlightened society where each individual is recognized as important and people feel comfortable with themselves. To him, martial arts means more than self-defense. Fred Neff's teaching regime includes working with people to develop their fighting skills and ability to better meet life's challenges. Before writing his first book Fred Neff worked with many people who either were not able to read or were reluctant readers. In writing his books, Fred Neff tried to fashion them so that they would be usable for reluctant readers of all ages. Fred Neff believes that young people are the future so he has written his books so that they are user friendly for young people and can be enjoyed while developing the foundation to become a strong martial artist, which includes non-violence, social responsibility and courtesy toward others. Fred Neff's martial arts books teach not only fighting techniques, but philosophy as well. They lay the foundation for the use of the martial arts that are the subject of the respective books.

In an article written in the William Mitchell College of Law's Opinion newspaper about Fred Neff, it pointed out:

Neff follows the Dojo Kuhn creed of conduct that all serious practitioners of the martial arts pledge. The Dojo Kuhn creed of conduct is:

• Seek perfection of character
• Be faithful
• Endeavor
• Respect others
• Refrain from violent behavior

In an article about Fred Neff in Hamline University's The Oracle newspaper, entitled "Neff's Karate Classes are More Than Fighting", it stated:

Neff has another side to him which is most often seen, yet least understood. He is a religious man, a man with deep concerns about society and the human rights of each individual. This trait is a result of his 19 years in the Martial arts and its philosophies.

Karate to Neff is the true kind, that which starts in the heart and mind and improves through the physical exercise and strengthening of the body. The brawling free-for all type, often seen on television, is the farthest thing from the graceful art, fifth degree blackbelt, Fred Neff teaches.

Fred Neff recognizes that any structure is only as strong as its foundation. His books show Fred Neff's emphasis on not only physical technique, but also the use of the human mind to overcome adversity. The mental aspects of martial arts training are reflected in the books by Fred Neff teaching of philosophy, adaptation, strategy, and tactics. It is the use of the mind that gives a special edge to any martial artist.

Fred Neff's Strategic and Tactical Approaches

Fred Neff's students have repeatedly found that his emphasis on strategic and tactical approaches have given them a strong basis for self-defense. The New Hope-Plymouth Post newspaper wrote in an article:

If you're ever involved in a street fight or a barroom brawl and Fred Neff is around, you'd better hope he's on your side.

In the first photo, Fred Neff is shown on far left teaching police officers a safe takedown technique. In the second photo, Fred Neff is shown at a police class demonstrating how to effectively take on two attackers at the same time, taking each of them down safely in the process of establishing containment without injury to either attacker.

New Hope-Plymouth Post, November 22, 1973.

Fred Neff Helps People as a Teacher and in Other Ways

Fred Neff has been asked to teach martial arts for universities, colleges, public schools, police departments, women's defense groups, recreation departments, community centers and in special education programs. In a regional edition of the Sun newspaper it pointed out about Fred Neff:

Sometimes his interest goes beyond sports. Last Wednesday morning-to name an example-he spent five hours talking with a mother and her runaway son. His apartment in St. Paul has become an informal drop-in center for former students and other kids.

Neff doesn't pretend he is a psychologist, but he does feel that his programs helped a number of young people.

Fred Neff's Teaching Methods

Working with a staff of coaches [Fred Neff] modifies his teaching methods to meet the needs and capabilities of specific individuals. And he watches each progress with sincere interest and pride. Mr. Neff has used martial arts lessons for his students to use as a guiding light to handle life's challenges.

I train individuals to be confident within themselves while at the same time being gentle; I teach a philosophy that resorts to physical force only as a last resort.

Fred Neff's Unique Teaching Approach

Fred Neff Helps People With Special Challenges

A special emphasis in Fred Neff's career has been working with and helping people who have special challenges. The St. Paul Dispatch newspaper said:

St. Paul children with mental or physical handicaps go to the Child Development Center for a number of reasons, among them to learn karate from Fred Neff a 25 year-old holder of a fifth�degree black belt, or his assistants.

Fred Neff, who operates a karate center in Newport helped found the karate program that is being offered to several children with handicaps or emotional problems. He provides the funding and karate expertise, Inver Hills oversees the program and offers credit to some of the instructors.

Fred feels that Karate has helped to teach him the true value of life. To improve the quality of life for others, he devotes as many hours as possible to handicapped, retarded and problem children. The children are referred to Fred by governmental agencies, social institutions or concerned parents who have heard of his work.

Fred Neff - College Instructor

Fred Neff has not only provided training for people with challenges, but trained others to do so. He has trained student teachers and interns from colleges. He has been an instructor at the University of Minnesota, University of Wisconsin, Hamline University and Inver Hills Community College. Hamline University's Oracle newspaper in talking about Fred Neff pointed out:

Hamline's academic clime and social atmosphere draws to it a high caliber of professor and instructor. One such instructor is Mr. Fred Neff, a world renowned instructor in the martial arts and the dynamic humanitarian who has been the impetus for many a worthwhile project.

Exploding fists, spinning back kicks and free fighting are the tools and catalysts Neff uses in motivating students to point out, strive for and to obtain goals which are beneficial to the individual and to society.

Martial arts tools are aided by Neff's vibrant and vital personality. Chevrolet's Corvette News recently devoted a story to him, and in it said, "Fred exudes a kind of electricity that seems to sparks students and friends alike into action."

The course is under the direction of Mr. Fred Neff, a fifth degree blackbelt with 20 years of experience and the author of eight books on the Martial Arts. Neff is truly concerned about the student in his classes. That is why he works long, hard hours to ensure they have a truly enlightening and existential experience.

Fred Neff's Special Training Approaches

In running Fred Neff's martial arts classes he developed special teaching approaches such as individualized training, the use of simulation games, role playing, cross-training, reinforced step by step learning and Socratic questioning. These methods have been taught by Fred Neff to student teachers and interns, who were given college credits, to learn from his special approaches to teaching. Many of his courses were based upon the needs he observed were present in society. In an article in the Minneapolis Tribune newspaper it stated:

The company's head, Fred Neff, said he put together the course for women because he was disturbed by newspaper articles about women getting mugged and beaten up.

As a result of his interest and work with young people, he has been asked by schools, police departments, women's defense groups, recreation and community centers to establish programs. And, in the meantime, he has steered many 'born losers' back onto the track.

Fred Neff has written his books to bring his simple, concise, straightforward and effective approach to learning to the reading public.

      Fred Neff is on the right in the above photographs