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Members Information
Welcome to our site! When first joining our club, many things can seem confusing, so we thought we would add a few things to help. Always feel free to ask senior members any questions, at class, or e-mail us.Gi
Our white cotton uniform is called a gi (pronounced with a hard g) and can be obtained through Sensei. We try to keep track of used gi available, but they are getting hard to find. Always make sure your gi is clean (Hint: Do not throw it in the dryer; they shrink!). The belt is tied in a certain way - don't hesitate to ask a more experienced member for help.Belts and Gradings
Unlike many other styles of karate with many different coloured belts, we have only four colours with tags to denote separate rankings. They are explained as follows, in conjunction with our grading system:Mon: (Junior) There are 8 Mon grades who wear a white belt. Red tags are worn to indicate Mon level. 1st Mon wears one tag; 2nd Mon wears two tags, and so on. Mons increase in level of training from 1 to 8.
Kyu: (Junior) There are 10 Kyu grades. 10th, 9th, 8th (1 black tag), and 7th kyu (2 black tags) wear white belts. 6th, 5th (1 black tag), and 4th kyu (2 black tags) wear green belts. 3rd, 2nd (1 black tag), and 1st kyu (2 black tags) wear brown belts. Note that a lower number represents a more advanced grade.
Dan: Dan grades wear black belts, advancing from 1st Dan (Shodan) through 10th Dan (Juudan - Master).
Mon Gradings are a western innovation for junior karateka (students). The most important quality at this stage is enthusiasm, which is manifested in attention and gratitude. Mon levels are like ABC's and should provide a solid base for the next step into the Kyu levels.
Kyu Gradings come from Japan and mean "the stage where one searches mentally." Kyu karateka wear white, green and brown belts, as explained above. The most important quality at the white belt stage is endeavour, manifested in patience, determination and a searching mind. The most important quality at the green belt stage is attention to etiquette. Green belts should exhibit perseverance, respect for others and a questioning mind, beginning to understand "why." Brown belts should have equanimity. There should be certainty, self confidence and understanding.
Dan Gradings come from Japan. Dan means "step." Far from having "arrived", first level black belt is just the beginning. Dan grades should exhibit humility, strength of character, seriousness of purpose, and a desire to help others succeed.
Some Advice
- Listen to every word your instructor says.
- Watch every time he demonstrates.
- Concentrate and focus.
- Respect your instructor, yourself and each other. Karate begins and ends with respect.
- Don't rush.
- Work hard at the basics.
- Karate is an art and not for use outside the dojo unless there is an extreme emergency.
Dojo Etiquette
- Ensure Dojo is clean. Sweeping should be automatic and you should not have to be asked to perform this task.
- Always bow on entering and leaving the Dojo. This includes going to the washrooms.
- Greet fellow students quietly; you should not be screaming, hollering, or running unless you are instructed to do so. This type of behavior shows no respect for your teacher ( sensei ) or for the art of karate. It only gives a bad impression of the student from the instructor's point of view.
- Unnecessary going to the bathroom is poor etiquette and displays poor respect for the art of karate.
- Keep your fingers and toenails short and clean.
- Do not eat or drink in the dojo. This includes no chewing of gum or eating of candy.
- Always wear a clean karate gi.
- Training is done barefoot.
- Line up in order of rank. A beginner would line up left of more senior students.
- No jewellery or watches are allowed during training.
General Terms
- Obi - Belt
- Sensei - Instructor
- Senpai - Elder Student
- Rei - Bow
- Kihon - Basic
- Kiaii - shout from stomach ("EI!" short sharp shout)
- Kime - focus
- Kumite - sparring (fighting)
- Maai - distance
- Waza - Technique
- Renraku Waza - Combination Technique
- Hai - yes
Counting
- Ichi - one
- Ni - two
- San - three
- Shi - four
- Go - five
- Roku - six
- Shichi - seven
- Hachi - eight
- Kyu - nine
- Ju - ten
Commands
- Naore - stand to attention
- Yoi - assume ready position
- Hajime - begin
- Yame - stop
Directional Commands
- Hidari - left
- Migi - right
- Mai - front
- Ushiro - back
- Yoko E Ido - move to the side
- Mai E Ido - move to the front
- Sonoba - stay in same place
- Mawate - turn around
- Hidari Gamae - Left Basic Stance
- Hidari Hamni Gamae - Left Fighting Stance
Parts of the Body
- Ken - fist
- Uraken - back fist
- Nukite - spear hand
- Tetsui - bottom fist
- Shuto - knife hand (little finger side)
- Haito - ridge hand (index finger side)
- Jodan - head
- Chudan - body
- Gedan - from belt to knees
- Sokuto - side foot edge
- Kekomi - Knee (associated with sokuto geri)
- Kebanashi - body (associated with sokuto geri)
- Keage - head (associated with sokuto geri)
Blocks - Uke
- Gaiwan Uke - block with arm, thumb side
- Naiwan Uke - block with arm, little finger side
- Jodan Uke - Upper block
- Gedan Barai - Downward block
- Shuto Uke - Knife hand block
Kicks - Geri
- Maigeri - front kick
- Mawashigeri - round house kick
- Ushiroger - back kick
- Sokutogeri - side edge kick
- Tobi Maigeri - jumping front kick
- Tobi Mawashigeri - jumping roundhouse kick
- Nidangeri - double jumping kick
- Ura Mawashigeri - reverse roundhouse kick
- Ashi Barai - foot sweep
Punches (Tsuki, Zuki) and Strikes(Uchi)
- Jodan Zuki - head punch
- Chudan Zuki - sternum punch
- Furiken Uchi - swing punch
- Junzuki - lunge punch (same arm and leg forwared)
- Gyakuzuki - reverse punch -(opposite arm and leg forward)
- Nido zuki - double punch
- Sando Zuki - triple punch
- Uraken Uchi - backfist strike
- Shuto Uchi - knife hand strike
Movements
- Ayumi Ashi - stepping
- Okuri Ashi - shifting
- Tsugi Ashi - half-step full step
- Surikomi - double step
- Tobikomi - whole body commitment