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Team USA Martial Arts proudly serving since 1986
DePalma’s TEAM USA Martial Arts has been providing instruction in Kenpo Karate and the martial arts since 1986. Kyoshi DePalma started his schools in Connecticut with locations in Newington, Wethersfield, Berlin, Southington & Cromwell. In 1992, the Arizona schools started with locations in Gilbert (x4), Mesa, Prescott Valley & Power Ranch.
We hope you enjoy our website and will stop by and visit us if you are in the area. This site is designed to give you information about our facility, our style of martial arts, our staff and provide you with information on how to contact us as well.
Who we Are And why You Should Train Here
Since we’ve opened, we’ve been dedicated to changing the lives of people one person at a time, through martial arts, education and coaching. We strive to provide a safe, comfortable and welcoming atmosphere for all students and family members in Prescott Valley, Mesa, South Gilbert & Power Ranch. We take pride in creating an environment for individuals to achieve, develop and succeed in their personal goals.
We strongly believe that martial arts can be for everyone, regardless of age, gender or experience levels. Throughout all of our programs, students will not only learn the necessary skill sets to protect themselves, we stand behind our realistic and practical approach, confident it will enable every member to achieve greatness and live their best life..
Get To Know Our World Class Instructors
Our Instructors have spent many years devoted to training in the art of Kenpo and other martial arts and have attained a certain level of expertise to qualify them as teachers and also mentors.
Through extensive testing, certification and tournament level competition, our staff has attained mastery in this martial art and now enjoy sharing their skill and passing it on to their students.
Kyoshi Fred DePalma
Kyoshi 9th Degree
Kyoshi DePalma has been teaching the martial arts since 1981 and running his own schools since 1986. Kyoshi DePalma is a former national champion with over 700 trophies and awards to his name. He takes pride in seeing the Martial Arts change the lives of others like it did his. When a student achieves Black Belt, not only have they learned self-defense, more importantly they have developed self-confidence, self-discipline and inner qualities that will help them succeed in life!
Master Robin DePalma has been in the martial arts since 1997 and oversees all of the instructors in the organization. Her top priority is that the students learn in a positive environment where they are seen for their strengths. She wants to ensure that students feel part of a karate family, build friendships with positive peers, learn to “never give up” and gain confidence to be leaders, not followers. Her goal is to get EVERY student to Black Belt so they can become their BEST self!
Robin DePalma
Master – 5th Degree
A 5th Degree Black Belt, Master Robin DePalma has been in the Martial Arts Industry for 24 years. She is currently the corporate manager of the organization’s 8 locations. She oversees manager training, marketing, business systems, pro-shops, event planning and statistics of each location.
What is Kenpo?
Kenpo is a style of Karate developed in the west. The only difference between Kenpo and Kempo is in the translation of the Kanji to its English form. The words Kenpo and Kempo are both pronounced the same and both mean “Law of the Fist.” However, the more “traditional” forms of Kempo use the “Kempo” form, while the more non-traditional modern or contemporary versions use the term “Kenpo.”
Kenpo is a martial art that teaches self-defense and self-control through three primary methods: self-defense techniques, forms, and sparring. However, Kenpo diverges from traditional Karate in several important respects. Students are encouraged to change and adapt the techniques. Kenpo emphasizes vital point attacks using punches, strikes and kicks. Throws are also important in Kenpo.
Self-defense techniques help Kenpo students develop their skills by allowing them to  practice with different threatening situations and experiment with what-if scenarios. Initially, forms and katas help students to develop mental concentration and mental discipline. As they progress, the forms and katas help them to develop self-awareness and self-expression. Kumite (also known as freestyle or sparring) is an exercise in which students test their skills, self-confidence, and self-control in a friendly competition among other classmates. It gives students the opportunity to develop their reflexes and timing in a controlled environment while engaging in a sport activity.
Kenpo also teaches students how to use weapons to increase their understanding of self-defense. In Kenpo, defense against knives and clubs are taught from the yellow belt and up. Weapon training often begins at the green belt level, although some schools restrict it to those of the black belt level and higher.
The Kenpo style strives to maintain a balance between “martial” and “art.” The “martial” aspect is expressed by effective efficient self-defense concepts and techniques. The “art” is expressed by creativity, self-expression, and presentation of form.