Karate (martial art) artictes, blogs

Basics number three at our dojo

Thu, 09 Mar 2023 13:59:36 GMT

Basics number 3 at our dojo Shotokan Fitness Karate School

BASICS NR 3 (KIHON)

Into

Third basics: are the continuum of the first and second basics at our Dojo. Students reaching this level should show greater technique, balance speed, power, awareness and so on. Also should have a deeper understanding of techniques and Karate in general. The techniques should become more vivid and more natural when performed in the dojo and in real situations.

Basics Guidance.

Moving forward: ➡️

Moving backward: ⬅️

Moving both ways: ↔️

(ze) is for - zenkutsu dachi

(ko) is for - kokutsu dachi

(ki) is for - kiba dachi

Performed for:

3rd Kyu (brown 2 stripes)

2nd Kyu (brown 1 stripe)

1st Kyu (brown belt)

Notes:

- Each technique finishes with the hands in the front -- freestyle sparring (kumite) or morote- uke (two handed / augmented block) of your choice.

- All basics are repeated three times.

- Apply "KIAH" on the last technique of each set - speed - power - and correction of the techniques where appropriate.

Let's go!

Karate begins with courtesy and finishes with courtesy – so, get the following right.

Presentation — start by performing — heisoku dachi or musubi dachi — bow (rei) — and then back to — shizentai

Next — start by moving in front with the left leg doing — hidari gedan barai - zenkutsu dachi — then pull back your hands to — (kumite) ready position (fighting position)

1 ze - sanbon zuki ➡️

(combination of punches) — with front leg do — kizami zuki — (pull back hand and leg) and then step forward with back leg and do — kizami zuki - gyaku zuki

2 ze - jodan age uke - chudan gyaku zuki - uraken ⬅️

3 ze - chudan soto uke - empi uchi - uraken - gyaku zuki - gedan barai ➡️

4 ze - uchi uke - jodan kizami zuki - gyaku zuki - gedan barai ⬅️

5 ko - chudan shuto uke - kizami mae geri - gyaku tate nukite - gedan barai ➡️

6 ki - gedan barai — pull back the arm inward creating a little circles and then do — tettsui uchi - shizentai — followed by — age zuki - ze - gedan barai ⬅️

7 ze - mae geri chudan - kizami mawashi geri jodan

8 Using the back leg turn into — front stance — with hands in ready position and follow on:

» ze - mawashi geri jodan - kizami yoko geri chudan

9 Using the back leg turn into — front stance — with hands in ready position and follow on:

» ze - yoko geri chudan - kizami ura mawashi geri jodan

10 repeat 7,8 and 9 in the same order

11 repeat 1,2,3,4,5 and 6 in the same order forward and backward

12 with the same leg do — mae geri - yoko geri - ushiro geri — then step forward gedan barai - kumite — repeat the same with the other leg

End presentation — at the and of performance go back to — shizentai and then to — heisoku dachi or musubi dachi — and bow (rei) to finish

END OF BASICS

Usu

Terminology notes

» Jodan - Upper

» Shodan - Middle

» Gedan - Lower

» Kekomi - Thrust

» Keage - Snap

» Age Zuki - Rising Punch

» Tettsui Uchi - Hummer First Strike

» Ushiro Geri - Turning Back Kick

» Tate Nukite - Vertical Spear Hand Strike

» Empi Uchi - Elbow Strike

» Morote uke - Two handed or augmented block

Good to know!

Training philosophy - Kihon - (basics) number 1, 2, & 3 are designed for those students who are bright and the others that need a hand in starting. Instead of adding each grade extra technique and getting confused, we have created a long version of Kihons. The students are encouraged to learn and perform the full set of Kihons from the first grade.

However, for those students who cannot do the full set - are allowed to perform a satisfactory percentage showing improvement on each grade. On the last grade of each set of Kihons the student must have learned it all.

By this time – we believe that the student had the opportunity and enough time to learn the Kihons property, without any excuses.

Practice with care �� Usu! ��

Thanks for visiting

More info ⬇️
» https://www.mykarateclub.co.uk/grading-chart

Basics number two at our dojo

Fri, 03 Mar 2023 21:56:35 GMT

Basics number 2 at our dojo Shotokan Fitness Karate School

BASICS NR 2

INTRO

Second basics are the continuum of our first basics and are probably the most important in Karate - representing the philosophy and style of Karate – Blocking and Counter-attacking. Since we are never the aggressor this fits especially with Shotokan Karate and with the philosophy of Shotokan to be able to score – with one technique – a punch, kick or strike.

For students reaching at this level it's important to show the ability of being able to execute the techniques with conviction.

Basics Guidance.

Moving forward: ➡️

Moving backward: ⬅️

Moving both ways: ↔️

(ze) is for - zenkutsu dachi

(ko) is for - kokutsu dachi

(ki) is for - kiba dachi

Performed for:

6th Kyu

5th Kyu

4th Kyu

Notes:
• Each technique finishes with the hands in the front — kumite - freestyle sparring — or morote uke - two handed / augmented block — of your choice.

• Apply "KIAH" on the last technique of each set - speed - power - and correction of the techniques where appropriate.

• All basics are repeated three times.

Let's go!

Karate begin with courtesy and finishes with courtesy – so get the following right.

Presentation — Start by performing — heisoku dachi or musubi dachi — and bow (rei) — and then back to — shizentai

Next — start by moving in front with the left leg and do — hidari gedan barai - zenkutsu dachi — then pull back your hands to — (kumite) ready position (fighting position)

1 ze - kizami zuki - gyaku zuki ➡️

2 ze - jodan age uke - gyaku zuki ⬅️

3 ze - chudan soto uke - gyaku zuki ➡️

4 ze - chudan uchi uke - kizami zuki ⬅️

5 ko - chudan shuto uke - tate nukite - ze ➡️

6 ki - gedan barai - gyaku zuki - ze ⬅️

7 Using the front leg turn into — zenkutsu dachi — with hands in ready position (kumite) and follow on:

» ze - chudan kizami mae geri - jodan mae geri ➡️

8 Using the back leg turn into — zenkutsu dachi — with hands in ready position (kumite) and follow on:

» ze - chudan kizami mawashi geri - jodan mawashi geri ⬅️

9 Using the front leg turn into — kiba dachi — with hands in ready position (kumite) and follow on:

» kosa dachi - (with the same leg do) - gedan yoko geri keage - jodan yoko geri kekomi ↔️

» repeat 7, 8 and 9 in the same order — in the front stance — including the side-kicks

» repeat 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 in the same order forward and backwards

End of performance — go back to — shizentai — and then to — heisoku dachi or musubi dachi — and bow (rei) to finish

END OF BASICS NR2

Usu!

Terminology notes

» Heisoku Dachi – Informal attention stance closed foot stance - feet together with inside of heels and big toe touching

» Musubi Dachi – Formal attention stance-feet together with inside of heels touching but with toes apart, pointing outwards and forming a "V" shape

» Shizentai – Natural stance
» Kizami – (as in kizami geri) indicates using the front left
» Kosa dachi – Cross feet stance

» Jodan – Upper level, area above neck

» Chudan – Middle level, torso area

» Gedan – Lower level, area below torso

» Tate Nukite – Vertical Spear Hand Strike
» Morote uke – Two handed or augmented block
» Kekomi – Thrust

» Keage – Snap

Good to know!

By this time – we believe that the student had the opportunity and enough time to learn the Kihons property, without any excuses.

Practice with care �� Usu! ��

Thanks for visiting

More info ⬇️
» https://www.mykarateclub.co.uk/grading-chart

Basics number one at our dojo

Mon, 27 Feb 2023 11:11:36 GMT

Basics number one at our dojo

BASICS NR1 (KIHON)

Intro

First basics are the first steps performed for the first grade at our dojo. Designed to create a strong foundation helping the student to get familiar with stances, punches, blocks, kicks and so on. Better you do and understand the first basics – greater is a chance of you getting better and better. They're the first layer in which you'll be adding on as the training progresses. So – pay attention.

Basics Guidance.

Moving forward: ➡️

Moving backward: ⬅️

Moving both ways: ↔️

Performed for:

10th Kyu (red)

9th Kyu (yellow 1 stripe)

8th Kyu (yellow belt)

Notes:

- Each technique finishes with the hands in the front -- freestyle sparring (kumite) or morote- uke (two handed / augmented block) of your choice.

- Apply "KIAH" on the last technique of each set - speed - power - and correction of the techniques where appropriate.

- All basics are repeated three times.

Let's go!

Karate begins with courtesy and finishes with courtesy – so, get the following right.

Presentation — start by performing — heisoku dachi or musubi dachi — bow (rei) — and then back to — shizentai

Next — start by moving in front with the left leg and do:

» hidari gedan barai - zenkutsu dachi

left downward sweep - front stance

1 oi zuki - zenkutsu dachi ➡️

lunge punch - front stance

2 age uke - zenkutsu dachi ⬅️

rising block - front stance

3 soto uke - zenkutsu dachi ➡️

outside in block - front stance

4 uchi uke - zenkutsu dachi ⬅️

inside out block - front stance

5 shuto uke - kokutsu dachi ➡️

knife hand block - back stance

6 gedan barai - kiba dachi ⬅️

downward sweep - horse riding stance

7 Using the front leg turn into - front stance - with hands in ready position and follow on:

» mae geri - zenkutsu dachi

front kick - front stance

8 Using the back leg turn into - front stance - with hands in ready position and follow on:

» mawashi geri - zenkutsu dachi

roundhouse kick - front stance

9 using the back leg turn into - horse riding stance - with hands in ready position and follow on:

» kosa dachi - joko geri - kiba dachi

x feet stance - side-kick - horse riding stance ↔️

» repeat 7, 8 and 9 (twice) in the same order - all done in the front stance - including the side-kick

» repeat 1, 2,3,4,5 and 6 in the same order, forward and backwards plus add an extra punch – (oi zuki - lunge punch) at the end.

(Note – don't worry too much about the stances on this part – Just be fluent and as if you would do it in a real situation.)

End presentation — at the and of performance go back to — shizentai and then to — heisoku dachi or musubi dachi — and bow (rei) to finish

END OF BASICS

Usu!

Extra help

TERMINOLOGY

Heisoku Dachi – Informal attention stance closed foot stance - feet together with inside of heels and big toe touching

Musubi Dachi – Formal attention stance-feet together with inside of heels touching but with toes apart, pointing outwards and forming a "V" shape

Shizentai – Natural stance

Hidari – Left (leg)

Good to know!

TRAINING PHILOSOPHY

Kihon - (basics) number 1, 2, & 3 are designed for those students who are bright and the others that need a hand in starting.

Instead of adding each grade extra technique and getting confused, we have created a long version of Kihons. The students are encouraged to learn and perform the full set of Kihons from the first grade.

By this time – we believe that the student had the opportunity and enough time to learn the Kihons property, without any excuses.

Practice with care �� Usu ��

Thanks for visiting

More info ⬇️

» https://www.mykarateclub.co.uk/grading-chart

Question and Answers About Our Karate Classes

Wed, 18 Jan 2023 20:43:38 GMT

Question and Answers About Our Karate Classes

GENERAL Q & A

What can I wear for my first trial class?

You can attend in sports clothing.

Remember you are attending a Karate class and not running on the beach so dress appropriately.

Why pay for trial classes?

We change to avoid overcrowding - wasting time - and at the same time we have to look after you like everyone else. However, having said this, there's a free class already included every week.

Also from experience we found out that people who are serious about taking up karate triel fees are not a problem.

Can I book it in advance?

Trial classes for adults and kids can only be booked for the week within.

And the fee for trial to be paid a minimum of 2 days in advance prior to the class you want to attend.

If I can't make it? Can I use the fee for another time?

The short answer is no.

Because when you book, we will hold the space free just for you.

Can I book again?

Yes, anytime. Subject to availability

Can I come to watch the class?

The short answer is no.

For health and safety seasons, it's a waste of time.

We also believe from experience over the years that watching the class is not the same as participating. Those who come to watch hardly ever join. Those who try do.

Check out social media channels.

Is a week trial class good enough for me to understand if I like karate?

The short answer is no.

First week you could have a good or bad experience. The club can have the same good day or bad day. You need at least 6 month to settle and understand if it is for you or not.

ADULTS CLASSES Q & A

Here are some of the questions asked lately by new adult students.

I am a beginner - Is karate suitable for me?

The short answer is yes.

Karate is suitable for everyone aged 6 and over who's physically and mentally fit.

Is Karate just for kids – or is it for adults too?

Karate was not developed for kids.

Was developed for adults for self defense. However, today there may be more kids than adults practicing Karate but that should not change anything for you.

One of the adults is me writing this.

Am I too old to start Karate?

Never too old to our opinion.

At our dojo at the moment we have students ranging from 5 years old to over 60 plus years old.

No prior experience in karate (martials arts)?

No problem.

Sometimes having no experience is the best thing. You could be more interested in learning more about karate and be inspired by the other students.

I may not be as good or as fast as others?

So what? It's ok.

You do what you can. At our Dojo we repeat and show the techniques multiple times. We will go slow and then fast. This benefits both those who need a hand and those who want to move forward.

Is Karate like some other activities that don't really need much commitment?

The short answer is no.

Karate is not something you would do now and then. You need to be committed. Karate is a way of life where you learn and discover new things. There are no shortcuts. (But it's all up to you)

I am an experienced Karate student?

The classes are suitable for you too.

We will do our best to accommodate you and work on what is needed. Depending on your attendance and ability. But it All depends on what you're looking for.

SELF DEFENSE Q & A

Is Karate good for self-defense?

The short answer is YES!

Karate is all about self-defense and development.

Practicing Karate in time you will learn to defend yourself not only with your hands and legs, but will use other methods that are more important.

How quickly would I be able to defend yourself?

Is it like asking - how quickly will my child start walking? It all depends on you. If you try hard, you will get there quicker.

Can I get fit practicing Karate?

Simple answer is yes.

Training Karate involves moving all your body parts. Karate or any other martial arts are a great way to keep fit. But remember, it all depends on your training.

SAFETY Q & A

Is Karate safe?

The short answer is yes.

But you must remember that karate involves kicking, punching, running, jumping and so on... So like everything else we do in life involves a degree of risk.

I have a medical condition - can I join Karate?

The short answer may be NO – but it depends on your condition.

Karate classes can be very intense. You should be physically and mentally fit to take part. Otherwise you will put yourself and others in more danger.

Before joining Karate (or any other martial arts), consulting with your doctor is very important for you.

USS!

��

https://www.mykarateclub.co.uk

Personal view of Karate by Alban

Tue, 17 Jan 2023 20:43:11 GMT

P ersonal view of Karate completed by Alban B.

Part of our junior Black Belts paperwork at our dojo in London, Paddington, W2 and the surrounding areas.

Alban's
Personal view of Karate

Here's what he has to say.

Why karate is important to me.
Karate is important because it gives me a safe environment for me to express myself truly. It's important because not only is it good for (self-defense) but for my health too, it’s also fun and exciting.

It taught me discipline, respect and duty, making me a better person. Because of this I cannot thank my sensei enough for this opportunity; without him I could not have pushed myself to my limits and beyond.

H ow karate benefits me.
Karate benefits me in many ways; for example, by improving my physical health. The way karate does this is through a variety of different techniques and exercises from cardio to muscle training to many other things.

Karate also brings up my mental health as (somehow) makes me a generally happier person outside of karate.

(2) Karate also benefits me as it boosts my communication and tactical skills - while training and engaging with other karate-ka, (which I am grateful to have been training with so far - and I would take this opportunity to say Thank You to everyone.)

Communications:
Thanks to the club philosophy and style the karate-ka are always encouraged to communicate with each other and to not corner themselves or feel shy.
Regardless if you like or not the people you train with - in the dojo there is NO LIKE or DISLIKE or choosing with who to train. Respect is for everyone - and I have learned that communicating with fellow students and people is the best way to show it - and the bestway to start earning their respects.

This way you give the opportunity to the other person / karate-ka to communicate with you. By avoiding communication, that opportunity can or will be lost.

Tactical skills:
Although long term planning for a fight in karate isn't always used - quick decisive movement in a short time is used almost all the time - so training like this can and will boost the tactical skills. It does for me.

(3) It also improves my leadership skills as I - (thanks to the sensei's beliefs allowing us to express ourselves for a short time under supervision) - had the opportunity to show my skills to the class. This method of training for me has been very useful to my development so far. But more importantly has encouraged me to train harder and be better in the future.

Following on, karate benefits me by improving my overall morals and ethics. Karate does this by teaching me respect and how to show it. By improving my morals, l have learnt the skill of hard work and determination allowing me to always give my best.

I am aware that I am just a (junior black belt) today, and I have a long way to go. But for me it also means leaving but not forgetting one chapter behind - and moving on to the next one, which I can't wait to begin.

July 2018.
Until next time - thanks for reading and good training.

USS!

Back Belt! what it means and what it does!

Tue, 17 Jan 2023 19:51:16 GMT

Black Belt! what it means and what it does...

BLACK BELT: WHAT IT MEANS (AND WHAT IT DOESN’T)

When someone finds out you study karate, one of the first questions they usually ask is

“are you a Black Belt?”

After all, the Black Belt is one of the best known parts of the martial arts, and people have all sorts of expectations about what it means.

“Can you beat someone up?”

“Can you ‘karate chop’ a brick in half?”

“Wow, I’d better not mess with you”

In addition to the awkwardness of conversations like these, they also show how little is understood about karate and its practitioners — and, sadly, that lack of understanding isn’t always limited to outsiders.

How many of us have heard a fellow student ask (or maybe we’ve been guilty of this ourselves), when they can “get their next belt (or stripe)”?

How many times do students get frustrated if they’ve spent ‘too long’ at one belt rank, or place too much importance on that newly achieved rank?

How many times have you heard a Sensei remind students that their rank isn’t as important as the quality of their skill, only for that advice to be ignored?

There are a few realities we need to understand and embrace about “rank” in karate.

First — we need to understand that the colored belt system is a modern development in karate, borrowed from Judo to make progress more explicit. Historically, there were no belts in karate. Students simply trained, and learned, and improved their skill. “Mastery” was determined by your ability, not the color of your belt.

Secondly — we should understand that rank has as much or little significance as we put into it. On the one hand, earning a new belt is an achievement worth being proud of. It signifies the amount of time, hard work, and practice that you’ve invested into your training. It’s also an acknowledgement of that hard work and growth from your Sensei. On the other hand, it’s just a belt.

Bruce Lee famously said, on the subject of belt ranks, that belts are good for keeping your gi pants up and your jacket closed, and not much else.

And anyone who has spent any time in a karate dojo will notice that — although the overall skill level of the students goes up with each rank — there are always a handful of lower rank students who are more skilled or working harder in class than some higher rank students. In other words, belt rank can be a good indicator of a student’s skill – but it doesn’t guarantee it.

Finally — it’s critical to understand that Black Belt is an intermediate rank — not an advanced rank. Karate, like many Japanese-influenced martial arts, uses the Kyu–Dan system of ranks.

Kyu ranks denote ranks below black belt (e.g. colored belts), and Dan ranks denote ranks of black belt. Most styles of karate have somewhere between 6-8 kyu ranks and 10 dan ranks, meaning Black Belt lands (sometimes considerably) before the “halfway” mark.

Compare earning a Black Belt to getting a Driver’s License. Just to receive it, you’ve had to learn all the basic skills and concepts, drill those basics to develop your ability to use them, and pass a comprehensive test to prove to a qualified instructor that you know those basics well.

Most would agree that a sixteen or seventeen year old who has their driver’s license knows how to drive a car, but no one would describe them as an expert driver yet. It takes years and years more practice before “expertise” is earned.

A new Black Belt is the same way: highly proficient in the basic techniques and principles of karate, but by no means an expert. Their karate journey is only just beginning. None of this is to say that earning a Black Belt (or any other belt rank, for that matter) is meaningless.

Earning a Black Belt is an incredibly meaningful and profound experience, and many who’ve practiced karate for decades still remember their Black Belt test as a pivotal moment in their training.

By contrast, simply having a Black Belt is fairly meaningless.

After all, anyone can simply order a black belt off the internet and save themselves years of hard work, sweat, frustration, and the occasional injury. They’ll have a black belt, but they won’t be a Black Belt, and therein lies the value of belt rank.

Getting to Black Belt isn’t the end of a student’s training, and students who quit their training after earning a Black Belt probably shouldn’t have received that rank in the first place.

It’s a major milestone, but only a milestone, on a much larger and longer journey. Done well, karate is designed to be a lifelong practice where (regardless of rank, reward, or external acknowledgement) students push themselves to develop their mental, physical, and emotional/spiritual strength — one step further every day. The training becomes the incentive to continue training.

Many students don’t progress far enough into their training to develop this deeper understanding and appreciation for the martial arts — but those who do discover that the real rewards of karate training are far greater than whatever superficial feelings of success they experience when receiving a new belt.

There are, of course, many benefits to the belt system. They’re an excellent way to organize curriculum and track student progress, and they’re a wonderful way to incentivize children and beginners until they reach a level of maturity in their training where the belts become less important.

They also serve as a great exercise in goal setting for students of all ages — where a green belt or a brown belt can be seen not as a superficial reward, but as a concrete benchmark for the level of skill students should strive to reach.

And a Black Belt remains an outstanding achievement that carries tremendous emotional significance for practitioners — not the act of summiting the proverbial mountain, but simply arriving at a new vista from which to survey the path still ahead.

Thanks for reading

USS!

Originally Posted:

Aug 7, 2019

By & credit to:

Edge Martial Arts