KARATE GRADING ORANGE BELT

BEGINNER TO ORANGE BELT

Probable the most hardest part of training for most people is getting started.

Most classes train all grades in the same place,so it can be very daunting seeing the standard of skills the other students have.But don't be use this as a guide to how you can be after you have trained hard yourself.You will find it very difficult to learn coordination between arms and legs,but don't worry to much at this stage as it takes hours of repetitive training to get the body used to new reflex actions.

The first grading will be only one step blocking and punching,so if you move forward with your left foot you will be blocking or punching with your left hand.

Your first karate grade will be very basic.The things you will have to do i have put in Japanese pronunciations in brackets.Stepping punch(Oi-zuki),sising block(Ake-uke),outside block(Soto-uke),inside block(Uchi-uke)and a front kick(Mae-geri).Then you will have to do a Kata called Kihon Kata(Taikyoku Shodan).The last thing you will have to do is five step sparring(Gohon-Kumite).

There are three upright stances(Shizen-tai)translated means natural body.First one is standing with arms by your sides fingers straight and feet closed,this is a formal attention stance(Heisoku-dachi)translated as closed feet stance,the second one you stand the same but with the heels touching and toes in a v shape this is a informal stance(Musubi-dachi)translated as a connected stance,the third one is(Heiko-dachi)feet shoulder width apart,arms down by your side with fist clenched slightly to the front.Now there is a front stance(Zenkutsu-dachi)which is for lunging attacks.You should not be more than one hip in width between the axis of the front foot and the rear heal,and the length should be at least two hips widths long with 60% of your weight on the front leg and knee forward far enough so you can't see your knee,and keep as low as possible.This is a good stance for balance,stability and building up strength in the legs.When you move forward keep your feet just touching the floor,hip thrusting forward without without bobbing up and down.Keep your neck and back upright but in a natural posture.Do not lean backwards.Keep your knees pointing in the same direction as your feet.

To make a fist you start by closing the fourth finger and finish with the index finger,firstly tips of fingers touching the top of the palm then continue to fold the fingers in tightly,then fold the thumb so it is touching the second finger.This will stop you from breaking or hurting it when you punch.

Dojo Etiquette

Dojo means'place of the way'

Practising karate should always be fun,but always remember it can be dangerous.Always treat your teacher and fellow students with respect.Make sure your finger and toe nails are short,never wear jewellery,keep your karate uniform(Gi)clean,no swearing,spitting or dirty habits.Always pay attention to your teacher(Sensei)and when your sensei speaks to you bow(Rei).I f you are late for a class wait for your instructor to invite you to join the class.Always bow when entering the class and leaving,before and after sparring with a partner,at the beginning and after a kata,and of course always when your instructor tells you.If you can arrive a little early and do some streching exercises although your instructor should get you to do some before you start i think it is best to make sure and do some yourself as this will help minimise muscle strains and good for flexibility and stances.

Always use (Kime-waza)in your movements,which means a decisive technique,one that would finish afight with a single blow.Be explosive and deleliver with maximum intensity.The martial art shout(Kiai)translated means'Spirit Unity is used to boost your confidence and to intimidate your opponent,do not hold your breath when attacking,as a lot of people do,use a good kiai and this will help you breath properly.Once you have been training in these techniques for three months at least two hours a day you should be ready for you first karate grading.

You should start off by doing(Gedan Barai)which is a lower level block which is used against a low level attack,this is a very versatile move in karate.It can be used for deflecting punches and kicks and for attacking.It is used every time you do a basic form.Start in ready stance start moving backwards moving the left hand up to your right ear with the right arm out straight make sure you have clenched fist step back with the right leg bringing the left arm down to just above your left knee pulling the right fist back to your right hip twisting the hip to your right,and with your right leg straight back.

Next you will be asked to do a outside block(Soto-uke)this is a sweeping block from head level down across the stomach with right hand clenched left arm out straight as you block pull the left arm back and with the right arm block the attack,You should finnish up with the left hand by your left waist body facing left and right arm bent at the elbow right leg bent forward with the knee and left leg straight out to the back of the body.

Now it will be a rising block(Age-uke),you defend a head attack by starting in a front stance(Zenkuttsu-dachi),prepare to block with the right arm back by your left waist fist clenched,left arm raised out straight and fingers straight out.Step forwards raising the right arm to just above your head left arm pulling back to your left waist,ending in a forward stance.

Now for the next basic move which is a front kick(Mae-geri)start in a front stance(Zenkutsu-dachi)with arms down by your sides raise the knee and kick straight out with the ball of the foot and then snap the leg back before moving forward into the front stance again.

Last but not least of the basic karate moves is the reverse punch(Gyaku-zuki).This is the most common move of counter attack.Start in the front stance with the right hip and fist pulled back and then punch with the right hand by throwing the right hip and chest forwards.Make sure you do not over reach by bending your back,so keep upright at all times making sure you do all the work with the legs and hips.

Now for your kata which is called Kihon , it is a twenty different moves against an invisible opponent.There are only two hand movements:downward blocks and punches.Make sure they are distinct.A downward block follows a curved path and finishes at low level,while a punch is a straight path and finishes at stomach level.Starting is just as important as finishing,so start in the ready stance(Yoi-dachi)put your feet together in(Mosubo-dachi)bow and announce your kata(KIHON) in a loud and confident manner.step into ready stance.Your instructor will call out(Hajime)begin,step to the left and do a down ward block(Gedan-barai)to the left,then a stepping punch with the right hand,move the right foot to turn 180 degrees and execute a right sided downward block step and punch with the left hand,then step to the left with a downward block to the left,step forward and punch with the right hand,step forwards and punch with the left hand,step farwards and punch with the right hand and shout(KIAI).Move the left foot to turn 270 degrees and do a left sided downward block(Gedan-barai),step forwards and punch with the right hand,move with the right foot and turn 180 degrees and do a right sided downward block(Gedan-barai),step forwards and punch with the left hand,step forward to the left and downward block(Gedan-barai)to the left,step forwards and punch with the right hand,step forward and punch with the left hand,step forward and punch with the right hand and(KIAI).Move the left foot to turn 270 degrees and do a left side downward block(Gedan-barai),step forward and punch with the right hand,move the right foot to turn 180 degrees and do a right sided downward block(Gedan-barai),step forwards and punch with the left hand and(KIAI),move the left foot back into ready position and finish with a bow.

The last application is(Kumite)one step sparring with a karate partner.The objective is to work together to improve technique,targeting,distancing,and timing.You are not training to win or injure your partner.At the beginning you bow to your partner to show respect and to say you are ready.Both of you start in the ready position,the attacker steps back with a downward block and announces the attack:jodan:,the attacker steps forwards and punches to the head,the defender steps back and blockswith a rising block,this is repeated four times during the five step sparring and (KIAI)on the last attack.The defender counter attacks using the reverse punch with a(KIAI)the punch should be focused so that it just makes contact.Do not over or under punch.The attacker then withdraws and as he does so the defender steps up both finishing in the ready stance(Yoi-dachi)

Both the attacker and defender start in the ready position,the attacker steps back with a downward block and a announces:Chudan:,the attacker steps forwards and punches at the body,the defender steps back and blockes with an outside block,this is repeated four more times in the five step sparring using(KIAI) on the last attack.The defender counter attacks using a revers punch with a(KIAI).The punch should be focused so that it just makes contact,it should not hurt your opponent,the attacker withdraws and as he does the defender steps up,both finishing in the ready stance(Yoi-dachi)and bow to your karate partner.

Good luck to all who are taking their shotokan karate orange belt,and to all martial artist who are grading.