Objective:
Acquire White belt with a Yellow stripe. (9th Kyu)
Basics:
How to Bow:
Learning to bow properly is one of the most important concepts in karate. It’s a way to show respect to the Sensei and a way of saying thank you. To preform the bow, stand with your feet together evenly, hands strait by your side. Now turn the feet out to the sides making a V shape with the feet. Bend down at the hips keeping the eyes fixed on a point down to about 30-40 degree angle. Pause at the bottom, count to 4 and slowly come back up to complete the bow.
How to Make a Fist:
To make a fist, first make your hand flat, then bend the index, middle, ring and pinky fingers in half. Then bend them in half again. Tuck the thumb in between the index and ring finger. Refer to video for exact positioning.
Stances:
Zenkutsu Datchi
Zenkutsu Datchi is one of the first and most commonly used stances. Simply step one forwards and follow these guidelines. The stance should be about 60-70% of your body weight on the front leg. The width of this stance should be about shoulder width in length wide and about 1.5 – 2 shoulder widths long. Feet should be mostly facing forwards.
Blocks:
Gedan Barai (downward block)
The downward block, is one of the most common blocks in karate. The blocking hand should come up to the opposite shoulder, almost like you are stabbing yourself in the shoulder, hand in a fist. Opposite arm should be extended almost aiming where the block should go, hand also in a fist. As the blocking hand comes down for the block, the opposite hand should be coming back into heketi position. At the end of the block the arm should be fully rotated, palm facing down, hand should still be in a fist.
Kicks:
Mae Geri (front kick): Instep
Mae Geri is the first kick we will learn. To preform this kick, step into natural stance or Zenkutsu Datchi, Push off the floor with the kicking leg or back leg if in Zenkutsu Datchi bringing the knee up, extend the leg striking with the instep of the foot. Next and one of the most important things is snap the leg back imminently into the knee up position and then return the leg to it’s starting position. Repeat for the other leg, if in Zenkutsu Datchi switch stance so the other leg is forward.
Combination Techniques:
Forward and back Oizuki (front punch)
Stepping forward into Zenkutsu Datchi, then step forward and punch Oizuki in while Zenkutsu Datchi stance. The punching arm and the front leg should be the same. Do 3 down and 3 back up. If you don’t have enough space, just make sure to do 6 total.
Forward and back Gedan Barai (down block)
Stepping forward into Zenkutsu Datchi, then step forward and and block Gedan Barai while in Zenkutsu Datchi stance. The blocking arm and the front leg should be the same. Do 3 down and 3 back up. If you don’t have enough space, just make sure to do 6 total.
Forward and back Mae Geri (front snap kick)
Step forward into Zenkutsu Datchi, then kick Mae Geri with the back leg. At this rank you should be kicking with the instep of the foot. Once you complete the kick the kicking leg should be in front, landing in Zenkutsu Datchi ready to kick with the other leg. Do this down and back 3 times. If you don’t have enough space, just make sure to do 6 total.
Kata: Taikyoku Shodan
Meaning: First Cause
Taikyoku Shodan, or Kihon Kata is the first kata you will learn with us.
- For the first move step to the left in Zenkutsu Datchi, blocking with Gedan Barai, then step front punch.
- Next step to your back, right of where you started in Zenkutsu Datchi, blocking with Gedan Barai, then step front punch.
- Step to your left into Zenkutsu Datchi, blocking with Gedan Barai. Left leg and left arm should be forward.
- Step forward Oizuki, follwed by 2 more Ozuki stepping forward. On the 3rd punch make a kia.
- Spin 180 degrees to the left, left leg should be forward Gedan Barai left arm
- Step forward Ozuki
- Step to your back blocking Gendan Barai
- Step forward Ozuki
- Step to your left, blocking with Gedan Barai. Left leg and left arm should be forward.
- Step forward Oizuki, followed by 2 more Ozuki stepping forward. On the 3rd punch make a kia.
- Spin 180 degrees to the left, left leg should be forward Gedan Barai left arm
- Step forward Ozuki
- Step to your back, blocking Gedan Barai left arm, left leg should be forward
- Step forward Ozuki, finishing the kata
Examination Information
If you are subscribed to AKO and feel comfortable with the material then you are eligible to take your first rank exam for this rank.
To submit the exam film yourself and then upload to your personal YouTube account, making the video ‘unlisted’, so no one else can see it on YouTube apart from the people you send the link to. Then email the video link to us: appalachiankarate@gmail.com
It should contain the techniques listed below. Please film all facing the camera 3 times then to the side 3 times. Kumite can be from the side and kata can be done facing the camera.
- Kiohon: Zenkutsu Datchi
- Mae Geri (front kick): Instep
- Forward and back Oizuki (front punch)
- Forward and back Gedan Barai (down block)
- Forward and back Mae Geri (front snap kick)
- Kata: Taikyoku Shodan
Good Luck
Oss!