It is my philosophy to ensure that all students perceive themselves
as successful and competent. This can be achieved by the warm,
enthusiastic, and stimulating atmosphere provided here in the
dojo. As your Sensei, it is my job to teach the martial arts discipline
through a structured approach. Students learn what is expected
of them and how to reach their own maximum potential through my
teaching. It is through consistent attendance, practice, focus,
appropriate behavior, and positive attitude/effort that a student
is promoted. In accordance wit my karate-do philosophy, there
are dojo rules and regulations. These rules are designed to help
with the smooth running of the dojo. It is expected that these
rules will be reviewed and followed by all students and parents:
1) All students are expected to bow upon entering
and exiting the dojo as a sign of respect. Also, show respect
to your Sensei, Sempei, and fellow students by bowing and greeting
with the response, “Oss”
2) All students are to remain standing at attention
at the beginning and ending of class and to take part in the reciting
of the DOJO KUN
3) Students are expected to wait to be dismissed
by Sensei or Sempei at the end of class
4) All footwear must be taken off BEFORE stepping
on the mat
5) Students must place their footwear, bags, and
gear in the cubbies or under the benches
6) No eating or drinking on the mat..no gum chewing
during class
7) All jewelry must be removed before the start
of class
8) For health and safety, fingernails and toenails
must be kept clean and neatly trimmed
9) Long hair must be tied back into a ponytail
10) Gis must be washed on a regular basis. Belts
do NOT get washed
11) If needed, students are only allowed to wear
the designated school t-shirt under their gi as this is considered
to be part of our uniform. No other t-shirt is acceptable
12) Please refrain from talking loudly while class
is in session. It is distracting and disrespectful to your fellow
students.
13) Please refrain from using cell phones in the
dojo. If you must answer or make a call, please do so outside
the dojo.
14) Please let Sensei or Sempei know BEFORE class
begins if you need to leave before the end of training. Unless
directed by Sensei, a student should remain in the class until
the completion of the final bow-out.
15) It is expected that all students who arrive
early for their class will begin stretching and warming up on
their own
16) There is to be NO running around on the mat,
climbing on poles, pretend fighting, etc. before class begins.
Students who demonstrate unacceptable behavior will not be allowed
to participate in their lesson.
17) Please notify Sensei or Sempei regarding any
medical conditions (including skin infections/eye infections),
medications being taken, or changes in medication
18) The instructor, whoever it may be, should
be treated with the respect that you yourself would expect as
common courtesy. If you cannot find it in you to show respect
to a person who is taking their time to teach you, then you do
not belong in a karate dojo. Never question his/her direction;
never speak in class unless asked by the instructor. Such obedience
develops a bond of trust between the instructor and student, which
improves mutual receptivity, simplifying and speeding the learning
process.
19) Please be sure to use the toilet prior to
training. Also, please try to remember that it is not good for
the body to train on a full stomach, so avoid eating for at least
one hour before class starts.
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What is the Dojo Kun?
These are the karate precepts that are recited
at the end of class. Please practice reciting them at home.
Seek Perfection Of Character
Be Faithful
Endeavor
Respect Others
Refrain From Violent Behavior
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How Do I Count In Japanese?
1= ichi
2= ni
3= san
4= chi
5= go
6=roku
7=shichi
8=hachi
9=ku
10=ju
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What Are Some Of The Common Japanese
Words That I Will Hear In Class?
These are some of the words that you will often
hear…
Sensei = Teacher
Yoi = ready
Rei = bow
Oss = greeting, showing sprit & respect
Hajime = begin
Yame = stop
Mawatte = turn around
Hai = used for affirmation as in ‘yes’
Kiai = a shout or yell to show spirit
Jodan = head level
Chudan = mid-section
Gedan = lower body
Gyaku-zuki = reverse punch
Oi-zuki = lunge punch
Ura-ken = backfist
Tettsui = hammer fist
Morote-zuki = 2 hand fist punch
Yoko-geri = side kick
Mikazuki-geri = crescent kick
Mai-geri = front kick
Mawashi-geri = roundhouse kick
Gedan-bara i= down block
Shuto-uke = knife hand block
Dojo Kun = precepts/rules of the dojo
Karate = empty hand
Gi = uniform
Obi = belt
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How Do I Tie A Karate Belt (Obi)?
Tying a karate belt seems a little tricky at
first…but you will get the hang of it!!
1. Find the middle of the belt and place it several
fingers below your belly button
2. Tightly wrap both ends around you. Each end
goes behind you and comes out the other side. The belt should
lay flat on your body at all points.
3. Take the ends in front and lay them on top
of the middle part of the belt, which is already there
4. In the middle, you have to lay one end down
first. Lay the right end on the middle part and let the excess
hang slightly.
5. Lay the left end OVER the right and middle
parts. Tighten if needed. Let the excess hang slightly.
6.Suck in your gut, wrap the left end down, under,
and up inside all the other parts of the belt. Tighten if needed.
The left end should now be sticking diagonally up and to your
right, and the right end still sticking diagonally down and to
your left.
7. To tie the knot, bend the left end down and
to the left of the right end. Then bend the right end up and over
the left end, and thread it through the loop made by the left
end.
8. Tighten by pulling the ends, the left end should
be sticking left and the right end should be sticking right, and
the knot should be somewhat bilaterally symmetric.
9 Adjust the belt to ride on your hips.
It is important to keep your gi (uniform) clean
for class. Be sure to wash it but NOT the belt!
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What Should I Expect From My Child's Participation In His/Her
First Karate Tournament?
What Should I Take Along?
Participating in one’s first karate tournament
is an exciting time for all. It gives your child the opportunity
to hone his/her fighting skills, compete in kata against others,
and foster good sportsmanship. However, it can also be confusing
and overwhelming for a beginner competitor. I would suggest that
you do not pressure your child to bring home the gold medal. He/she
should feel comfortable with the idea of competing in this event.
It is a wonderful learning experience which teaches dedication
and perseverance. Your child should feel proud of his/her achievements
thus far and remember that competing in tournaments is supposed
to be fun. You might want to consider having your child participate
in a small tournament (Ex. Local level or within the school) before
participating in a larger event. This, of course, should be discussed
with Sensei. There is nothing more wonderful to see than the comraderie
of our students-cheering each other on, patting each other on
the back, and even consoling teammates who have not placed in
an event.
As for what to take along to the tournament, EVERYTHING!
It is necessary for kumite events to bring along your child’s
sparring equipment: headgear, mouthpiece, sparring gloves, and
shinguards. For boys, please make sure he is wearing an athletic
supporter/cup. Chest protectors for girls are also suggested.
A roll of sports tape is also a good idea. It is wise to take
along something for your child to eat and drink due to the possible
length of stay at a tournament. Small snacks, such as peanut butter
and crackers, nutrition bars, fruit, bagels, pretzels, and either
a sports drink or water are items you might want to consider.
As the day rolls on by and blood sugar levels drop, the crackers
and other carbohydrates are a great ‘pick me up’.
Try to stay away from carbonated drinks and dairy products. Don’t
forget to bring your camera for those “Kodak moments”.
Also, if your child has the school warm-up jacket, school cap,
etc. have him/her wear it.
On the day of the tournament try to arrive early
in order to ‘check-in’ your child at the registration
table. Your child will feel more comfortable when he/she sees
familiar faces and runs off to be with fellow students. Generally,
the students will group together to stretch and warm-up in a designated
section of the gym or lobby area. After registration is completed,
look for other dojo families and try to sit with them. You can
keep all of your child’s belongings with you until sparring
gear is needed. Kata competition usually takes place first, then
kumite. It is not always easy to figure out which ring your child
will be competing in for the events. You will have to wait and
listen to the announcements as each division is called. Usually
the divisions are grouped according to age and sex.
After the competition, it is important to praise
your child regardless of the outcome. As far as we are concerned,
all of our students are winners for taking part in competitions.
Some tournaments will give out certificates or small medals to
all participants. Others will not. You might consider purchasing
a small token gift for your child (younger students) as a way
of rewarding his/her efforts. The most important thing to remember
is for your child to have FUN!!!!
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What Should I Eat Before A Competition?
Each person has individual food preferences when
it comes to pre-competition eating. Some prefer to eat nothing,
while others perform better when they have a light snack or small
meal. There is no single food that will ensure top performance.
The pre-competition meal’s goal is to ensure adequate energy
in your system to allow you to fully exert yourself without any
discomfort or early fatigue. Eating too much can have adverse
effects such as nausea and cramping. Eating too little food can
cause headaches, hypoglycemia, and lightheadedness. You need to
be sure to eat your meal early enough to digest it before the
start of the competition. That means that if you are eating a
full meal, eat it 2 or 3 hours before the event. Remember that
you can’t just eat well only on the day of the tournament…your
meal should be similar to what you are eating the rest of the
week. Complex carbohydrates are great for the day of the competition.
It is best to cut down on your fat and protein the day of the
event because it takes longer for this to be digested.
With morning events, eat a hearty, high carbohydrate
meal and bed-time snack the night before. That morning, you can
eat a light snack, such as two slices of toast, to stabilize your
blood sugar and keep you from feeling hungry. With afternoon events,
eat a hearty breakfast and a light lunch. With evening events,
eat a hearty breakfast and lunch, then perhaps a light snack 1
or 2 hours prior. Always eat familiar foods prior to competition.
This is not the time to try eating anything new!
High carbohydrate/low fat food suggestions:
Breakfasts: cereal, low fat milk, banana, toast,
juice, muffin, bagel, French toast or pancakes.
Lunches: sandwich without mayonnaise, soup, crackers,
thick crust pizza (no meat, single cheese)
Snacks: crackers, bagels, pretzels, banana bread,
turkey sandwich, biscuit, nuts
Dinners: spaghetti, rice, potatoes, vegetables
with small serving of chicken or fish
^Top^
How does Shotokan Karate differ from other
martial arts?
Shotokan Karate emphasizes strong
punching, kicking and striking techniques from a foundation of
solid stances. It is generally considered a “hard”
style with direct forms of blocking and attack, as opposed to
the more circular techniques of “soft” styles such
as varieties of Chinese Kung-fu. While Shotokan incorporates sweeps,
take-downs, throws and joint locks, they are not as typical of
the style as they are in Judo or Aikido. Shotokan is very similar
to other major Japanese and Okinawan styles such as Goju, Wado-ryu
and Shorin Ryu. There are also similarities to Tae Kwon Do, a
Korean style, although the latter tends to emphasize kicking techniques
to a greater extent than Shotokan. Keep in mind that the above
comments are only generalities and that a true study of these
issues would take a lifetime!
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What is a typical class like?
Karate training can be broken
down into three parts: basics, form and sparring (in Japanese,
kihon, kata and kumite, respectively). After a period of stretching
and warm-up exercises, basic punches, kicks and blocks are practiced.
Forms, or kata, are a pre-set sequence of defensive and offensive
moves in which the student is required to demonstrate proper positioning,
power and timing for a variety of techniques. As a student progresses
in rank these forms become more complex and varied. Sparring can
consist of either pre-arranged block and counter combinations,
or free sparring. The wide range of techniques in the Shotokan
system assures that no two classes will ever be the same.
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What are the benefits of karate training?
In addition to the physical conditioning
of a strenuous exercise program, the karate student will improve
in speed, power, balance, agility, stamina, endurance and flexibility.
Even more importantly, the student will develop mental focus and
concentration, along with a fighting spirit and the inner strength
to face and overcome any problem. The atmosphere of the dojo fosters
discipline, respect and courtesy, aspects of character which carry
over into every day life. And finally, it is an extremely practical
form of self defense.
Self-confidence
Coordination
Fitness
Quickens reflexes
Builds stamina
Develops composure
Relieves stress
Focus and concentration
Deeper insight into one's mental capacities
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What are the standards for rank promotion?
Candidates for promotion are required to demonstrate
a degree of technical competence appropriate to their skill level.
This includes basic techniques as well as the kata for their rank.
Sparring is judged on application of technique, focus and overall
spirit. Promotion testing generally occurs every three to six
months, but is entirely at the discretion of the Sensei.
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How long does it take to get a black
belt?
The only honest answer to that is that it takes
as long as it takes. Frequency of training, dedication and natural
aptitude are all factors which will determine your rate of progress.
However, it should be remembered that karate training is an ongoing
process, not aimed at an ultimate goal. There is always room for
improvement and even the most advanced students continually strive
to better themselves.
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Do students participate in tournaments?
The sport aspect of karate can be one of the most
enjoyable parts of the martial arts. Students of the International
Karate Center participate in tournaments at all levels, from in-dojo
and with other members of our association, to State, National
and International competitions. We are proud of the many Champions
that our school has produced. Participation in tournaments is
strongly recommended, but not required.
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What is the risk of injury?
Students are always given techniques appropriate
to their level of training, and beginners are required to demonstrate
basic proficiency before they participate in sparring. Protective
equipment for head, mouth, hands and feet is worn during sparring,
as well as chest protection for female students. All sparring
matches are supervised by an Instructor. These precautions keep
injuries to a minimum, but karate is a physical martial art and
a certain amount of “wear and tear” is always a possibility.
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