who is Fred Neff

Fred Neff - Martial Artist

Fred Neff has over fifty years of martial arts experience and has successfully taught thousands of students self-defense. Mr. Fred Neff's students have repeatedly found that his (Fred Neff) emphasis on strategic and tactical approaches have made them effective in a fight in overcoming an opponent. 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.

Fred Neff's Books

Fred Neff's books layout in a concise step-by-step manner how to out think an opponent and execute the techniques necessary to prevail. The enduring usefulness of Master Neff's books is reflected by their on-going popularity and use as library and text books.

Fred Neff's Martial Arts Approach

In recognition of Fred Neff's uniquely successful approach to learning martial arts, he (Fred Neff) 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 (Fred Neff) 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.' [Fred Neff's] lucky because he (Fred Neff) touches the lives of many with his (Fred Neff) guidance and inspiration. [Fred Neff] teaches others to develop their talents. [Fred Neff has] worked with children in the public schools and he's (Fred Neff) worked on his (Fred Neff) own as a private tutor. [Fred Neff has] practiced Karate for nearly 30 years and he's (Fred Neff) shared his (Fred Neff) expertise with thousands of willing students. [Fred Neff] is a fifth-degree black belt and a world-class master."

Fred Neff Awarded Title of Shihan

Fred Neff started his (Fred Neff) 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 (Fred Neff) 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 (Fred Neff) 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 (Fred Neff) 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 (Fred Neff) 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 (Fred Neff) 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 [Fred Neff] 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 [Neff] , 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 [Neff] 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 (Fred Neff), 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 (Fred Neff) first book Fred Neff worked with many people who either were not able to read or were reluctant readers. In writing his (Fred Neff) 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 (Fred Neff) 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. [Fred Neff] 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 (Fred Neff) 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. In an article in the North Minneapolis POST, it stated:

Fred Neff's Strategic and Tactical Approaches

Strategy is important, Neff said, and he teaches his (Fred Neff) students to consider strategy in much the same manner that chess players plan their moves.

Fred Neff's students have repeatedly found that his (Fred Neff) 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.

Even though the martial arts techniques and strategies taught by Fred Neff are effective in a physical confrontation, he has put an emphasis on using his skills as educative tools or means to exercise humanitarian goals.

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 [Fred Neff's] interest goes beyond sports. Last Wednesday morning-to name an example-[Fred Neff] spent five hours talking with a mother and her runaway son. His (Fred Neff) 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 (Fred Neff) does feel that his programs helped a number of young people.

The Minneapolis SUN newspaper pointed out in an article that Fred Neff's Martial arts approach fulfilled the whole person.

Fred Neff's Teaching Methods

Working with a staff of coaches [Fred Neff] modifies his (Fred Neff) teaching methods to meet the needs and capabilities of specific individuals. And he (Fred Neff) 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.

In an article in the William Mitchell College of Law's OPINION, Mr. Neff was quoted as saying:

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.

The South Washington SUN newspaper ran an article about karate being part of a blind girl's curriculum that was developed by Fred Neff. In the article it stated:

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 (Fred Neff) provides the funding and karate expertise, Inver Hills oversees the program and offers credit to some of the instructors.

In an article in General Motors' magazine CORVETTE NEWS on Fred Neff it stated:

Fred feels that Karate has helped to teach him (Fred Neff) the true value of life. To improve the quality of life for others, [Fred Neff] 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 (Fred Neff) has trained student teachers and interns from colleges. Fred Neff 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 [Fred] 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."

In another article about Fred Neff in Hamline University's ORACLE it stated:

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 (Fred Neff) 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 (Fred Neff) 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 (Fred Neff) special approaches to teaching. Many of his (Fred Neff) courses were based upon the needs he (Fred Neff) observed were present in society. In an article in the MINNEAPOLIS TRIBUNE newspaper it stated:

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

The outstanding results from these teaching approaches have been recognized in a number of ways including newspaper articles such as in the regional edition for the SUN newspaper that had a heading "Problem Kids Respond" for an article on Fred Neff.

As a result of his (Fred Neff) interest and work with young people, he (Fred Neff) has been asked by schools, police departments, women's defense groups, recreation and community centers to establish programs. And, in the meantime, he (Fred Neff) 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.