Shotokan Karate

"Where will I train, and what will I do in the classes? Shotokan clubs train in Dojos, which can be anything from a purpose-built studio, to a school gymnasium. The only thing that defines a Dojo is that karate training and teaching takes place there. You must always bow when entering and leaving the Dojo for any reason. Clubs are often led by a Sensei, who will usually be a black belt with years of training and teaching experience. There are often assistant Senseis, who will either be lower-grade black belts, or brown belts. Sessions are usually split into three, focusing on Kihon, Kata and Kumite. Kihon means basic, and is where you practise and perfect different striking techniques, both on their own and in combination. Examples of basic techniques that you will learn include: Choku zuki - Normal punch Gyaku zuki - Reverse punch Oi zuki - Lunge punch Age uke - Rising block Soto uke - Outside forearm block Gedan barai - Downwards sweeping block Mae geri - Front snap kick Mawashi geri - Roundhouse kick Yoko geri keage - Side snap kick Yoko geri Kekomi - Side thrust kick Ushiro geri - Back kick This list just covers the most basic techniques that you are likely to learn and develop in your first year of training. There are many more advanced techniques that will be taught to you in time. Kata are set patterns of techniques that have been passed down for generations in order to preserve techniques. They are beautiful to watch, and differ in appearance from slow and graceful, like Nijushiho, to fast and strong, like Bassai Dai. If you want to see what different katas look like, you can have a look on Youtube. Search for 'Shotokan Kata'. For beginners, there is a kata to learn for each belt, starting with 'Kihon', which is a basic kata focusing on lunge punches (oi zuki) and downwards sweeping blocks (gedan barai). Kumite covers all of the fighting aspects of Karate. Beginner grades are given set fighting patterns to be completed with a partner, that increase in difficulty as you move towards black belt. Three step is the first kumite pattern that you are taught, where you take turns being the attacker and defender in a series of three oi zukis to the head (jodan), and then the chest (chudan). Each set is finished by the defender counter-striking the attacker. These patterns are very important as they help you develop automatic reactions to block different strikes, that will work in your favor when you start taking part in freestyle fighting. When sparring with a partner using set patterns, or freestyle, you should not hurt each other. "