Karate is a Japanese martial art of punches, strikes, kicks and blocks. It is practised in three parts: kihon (the basic techniques, done in lines), kata (set forms performed alone, like a routine) and kumite (practice with a partner).
How competitions are won
In kata, judges score how well a form is performed. In kumite, two players score points for controlled techniques that stop at the target: a punch scores 1, a kick to the body 2, and a kick to the head 3. The player with more points at the end, or who gets 8 points ahead, wins. Hard contact is a foul.
How grades work
Students move up through coloured belts (kyu grades) by passing gradings; black belts are dan grades.
Rules children break first
Bow when entering the dojo and to every partner.
Every technique toward a partner stops short; no contact.
Stop the moment the teacher says so.
No kicking or punching practice on people at home.
At home you build the base
Dojo manners, stances held in balance, one-leg balance and stretches, and a no-contact distance game. Punches, kicks, kata and sparring are learnt in a dojo.
Words you will hear (25, in plain language)
Dojo
The training hall.
Sensei
The teacher.
Karategi
The white jacket and trousers worn for training.
Obi
The belt; its colour shows the grade.
Kyu
The grades: kyu are the coloured belts; dan are black belts.
Grading
A test in front of examiners to move up a grade.
Rei
Bowing to show respect.
Kihon
The basic techniques, practised moving up and down in lines.
Kata
A set form of techniques performed alone in a fixed order. Taikyoku and Heian Shodan are first kata in Shotokan; Bassai Dai and others come later.
Kumite
Practice or competition with a partner.
Gohon kumite
Five-step sparring: five agreed attacks stepping forward, five blocks stepping back, and a counter at the end.
Ippon kumite
One-step sparring; the same with a counter to the counter; and semi-free one-step.
Free kumite
Sparring where partners choose their own techniques, still stopping short.
Guard
The ready position with the hands up to protect the body.
Ready stance
Standing with the feet a shoulder-width apart and the hands relaxed in front.
Horse stance
Feet wide apart, knees bent out over the toes, as if on a horse.
Oi-zuki
The stepping punch: stepping forward and punching on the same side.
Blocks
Stopping an attack with the bony part of the forearm: rising (up), inward, outward and downward.
Mae-geri
A kick straight forward with the ball of the foot.
Mawashi-geri
A kick that swings round from the side, pivoting on the supporting foot.
Nobody is late. A beginner of any age starts at Basic.
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Basic5 cards · show· hideBalance, agility and coordination, dojo manners, a closed fist, stances and the first blocks and front kick; the first kata; and five-step sparring as an agreed, controlled exercise for the first coloured belts.
Intermediate2 cards · show· hideMore kicks and kick chains (roundhouse, joined kicks, back kick), more kata, and sparring that slowly gets freer: one-step, then the counter to the counter, then semi-free one-step; no free sparring at coloured-belt level here.
Advanced2 cards · show· hideThe brown and black belt grades: all the basics with kick combinations, advanced kata such as Bassai Dai and the kata each style offers after it, then sport karate competition in kata and kumite. Training still far outweighs competition.
Movement, safety and the words at home. The sport itself needs water, a boat, a horse or a coach.
You do not need to know the sport. Each card tells you where to stand, what to say and what to look at.
Pick one thing to say in a session and say only that. The first week looks messy; that is normal.
End every session on one that works.
Cards marked At a club are taught by a coach. They tell you what the
coach teaches, what is safe at home, and what to ask the club before your child joins.