Newport IOW Shotokan Karate Club
Newport IOW Shotokan Karate » Training
Training At Newport Karate
Features & Benefits Students of Shotokan Karate learn punching, blocking, kicking techniques and self defence moves along with respect and control. Benefits such as feeling fitter, being more flexible, and increasing self-confidence and discipline. ​ Training A typical session will include a 10 minute warm-up and stretching session then some or all of the following three fundamental elements of Karate. ​ Kihon (Basic Techniques) Basic techniques include various different punching, striking, kicking and blocking techniques either performed on their own or in combination. ​ Kata (Forms) Kata (set forms) Are a sequences of techniques which in some way resemble a fight against multiple invisible opponents. For the first few grades students are expected to learn one Kata per rank starting with the simplest combination of punching and blocking to complex sequences involving all sorts of punching, striking, kicking, blocking, throwing, jumping and self defence techniques. ​ Kumite (Sparring) To begin with students learn simple sparring techniques, Sanbon Kumite (3 step) Gohon Kumite (5 step). Intermediates students then practise Kihon Ippon Kumite (1 step), Advanced students practise Jiyu-Ippon Kumite (Semi-Free), Then becoming more complex and evolving into Jiyu & Randori Kumite (free fighting). But in a controlled non contact environment. Strenuous sessions will usually conclude with a warm-down. ​ Ranks And Grading's A karate student's progress in the art of Shotokan karate is represented by their rank which in turn is represented by a coloured belt. Beginners are classified as ungraded (white belt) but after a minimum period of training (usually 3 months) may take a grading. Upon successfully completing a grading a student is promoted to the next rank and will wear the appropriate coloured belt. Beginner ranks range from 9th kyu up to 1st kyu then the advanced grades range from 1st Dan up to 10th Dan. Juniors have a Mon-grade system which means they will grade twice for each kyu grade this is shown by a half coloured belt ​ ​
Gradings At Newport Karate
Grading's are typically held every three to four months and students are required to have regularly attended classes throughout the period and demonstrated an improvement in standard. The final decision on grading rests with the club instructors. Beginners should be training twice a week for three months before they can take their 9th kyu grading, with three month intervals between grading's up to 1st kyu, (In exceptional cases, a student may double-grade) nine months between 1st kyu and 1st Dan, two years between 1st and 2nd Dan, three years between 2nd and 3rd Dan, four years between 3rd and 4th Dan and five years between 4th and 5th Dan. There is never a need to "chase grades" and race through the belts, as this devalues the grade held. A grade should always reflect the standard of the student - always better to be a standard above the belt you are wearing than be below it! A pre grading will be held in the weeks leading up to a formal grading which will be be held similar to grading conditions - covering all the requirements of the relevant grading. Feedback will be provided along with a final decision to grade or not. Grading (Exam) consists of basic techniques (punching, striking, kicking and blocking) and combinations of any techniques. They will also have to perform the Kata (set moves) for their relative grade, advance grades may have to perform 2 or 3 Kata's with Bunkai (application of the moves) They will then have to pair up with a partner and perform their Kumite (fighting) relative to their grade. (see training). Listed are the belt colours for their relative grade. Juniors have a Mon-grade system which means they will grade twice for each kyu grade this is shown by a half coloured belt ​
Dojo Etiquette
At Newport Karate
Dojo Etiquette
Karate training is based largely on the development of discipline and respect. Observing Etiquette is a fundamental expression of the respect that is due to the instructor’s and your fellow students.
-
Bow when you enter and leave the Dojo.
-
If you arrive late you must kneel at the side of the class, and join in only when the Sensei gives the appropriate signal.
-
Address your instructors as ‘Sensei’ when you are in the Dojo.
-
OSS’ is a sign of respect and is used in the following situations.
-
When bowing at the start and finish of the class
-
When given instructions or advice by your instructor.
-
When bowing to your partner/opponent.
-
Any other appropriate situation during training.
-
-
Show respect for higher grades.
-
Always line up quickly and in grade order.
-
Keep finger and toe nails clean and short.
-
Keep your Gi clean and in good repair.
-
Remove jewellery and watches before training.
-
Any open wounds must be taped up before you commence training.
-
Do not eat, drink or chew gum in the Dojo.
-
Members must not use their karate skills in any offensive way outside the Dojo.
-
Outdoor shoes must not be worn in the Dojo.
-
Turn your back if you have to adjust your Gi or tie your belt.
-
Mobile phones must be switched off.
-
Train at least twice a week where possible
-
Renew your S.E.K.U licence annually before it expires
​
​
Karate is an empty-handed fighting art that has been developed through long years of history and tradition. Its ultimate goal lies not in winning or losing, but in fostering spiritual and physical strength through serious practice, and in trying to achieve an overall balance as individuals.
Like most other modern martial arts, karate has grown and evolved from various influences over hundreds of years and yet some fundamental elements stay the same. Karate was first derived from the fighting style taught to Shao Lin monks in India from where it travelled to China and then to the Okinawan islands of Japan Where the Okinawa people used the art to defend them selves against invaders form mainland Japan. Karate was then brought to mainland Japan by Gichin Funakoshi.
Gichin Funakoshi was the person that was responsible for teaching an art known formerly as the Chinese Hand. Funakoshi is regarded as the father of modern Karate, and was responsible for changing the name from Chinese Hand to Empty Hand, Empty meaning KARA and Hand meaning TE (KARATE) Funakoshi’s pen name was SHOTO therefore students who trained at Funakoshi’s (SHOTO) House or hall (KAN) (SHOTOKAN) were of the Shoto-Kan. Thus SHOTOKAN KARATE was born
Masatoshi Nakayama was a student of Master Gichin Funakoshi, for 27 years, assisting him with instruction and demonstrations. When Funakoshi Sensei passed away, Nakayama Sensei became the Chief Instructor of the JKA (Japan Karate Association) and he introduced Karate as a sport in the late fifties, and was also responsible for passing his knowledge of Martial Arts round the world in the 60’s and 70’s where graduates of his elite Instructor program were allocated assignments to establish and develop Karate around the world. Sensei’s Keinosuke Enoeda and Hirokazu Kanazawa were two of the instructors that came to Britain to develop Shotokan Karate.
Keinosuke Enoeda Gained a reputation as having the strongest punch in Japan, and because of his tremendous fighting spirit, skill, and ability, his nickname was Tora or the Tiger. He trained on the famous JKA instructor’s programme for three years under the tuition of Master Nakayama. Sensei Enoeda was sent out to travel the world instructing visiting South Africa and Hawaii, but settling in Great Britain as the Chief Instructor of the K.U.G.B (Karate Union of Great Britain) in 1965, and passed his knowledge of Shotokan Karate to the likes of Sensei’s Mick Dewey, Dave Hazard, Andy Sherry, Terry O’Neill and many more.
Mick Dewey was a student of Enoeda Sensei and was the chief instructor of Portsmouth Karate Club; he had also started many other clubs in the south. When many of the clubs were established he then handed the clubs over to the senior Dan Grades (Black Belts) All of the clubs at that time were affiliated to the K.U.G.B (Karate Union of Great Britain) but beliefs on certain policy decisions left some members feeling disillusioned. So on the 2nd April 1982 - twenty clubs from the south had voted to form a new organization they named it the South of England Karate Union (S.E.K.U). With Sensei Mick Dewey as Chief instructor and Sensei Mervyn O’Donnell as Secretary, and later Sensei Dave Hazard joined as Technical Director. Some years later by popular vote the name was change to the Shotokan of England Karate Union. One of the main reasons for this was the organization had now become national.
Isle of Wight Shotokan Karate. The first Shotokan Karate Club on the Isle of Wight was at Newport youth club back in the late sixties, In the early seventies the club moved to a larger Dojo (Training Place) at Carisbrooke high school. In 1974 Sensei’s Mick Dewey and Phil Elliot from the Portsmouth Dojo took over running the club until there was an established Dan grade to carry on instructing at the club. At this time the club was affiliated to the Karate Union of Great Britain, and in 1982 the club were founder members of the South of England Karate Union. The name has change over the years from Isle of Wight to Carisbrooke and finally Newport Shotokan Karate Club. Also some members who had achieved their Dan Grades at the club have ventured out and started clubs of their own these are Sandown Karate Club and the Fitness Factory Karate Club. Some members from the Sandown club started the Ventnor Karate Club. Sensei Malc Bradley 6th Dan has been chief instructor at the club for 42yrs with Sensei Mick Lambert 5th Dan senior instructor for 40 yrs. In 1996 the club moved to its present Dojo's at St Georges School Newport.