The School Of Karate Progression System

Please click a stage of the karate progression system to find out more.

Children's Karate 7+ Junior Black Belt 12 Yr+ Adult Karate Do Adult Karate Jutsu Adult Kobujutsu Senior Ultimate Harmony Small-Circle-v3.png Children's Karate 7+ Junior Black Belt 12 Yr+ Adult Karate Do Adult Karate Jutsu Adult Kobujutsu Senior Ultimate Harmony

Our system is structured to allow continual progress whatever age the practitioner is.

Children’s karate (Shotokan) develops a sound foundation of techniques. It will make the body strong and flexible and includes sport karate.

Adult karate (Shotokan) continues to develop the body and this can be enhanced with the use of training aids such as a Makawara (striking pad) and other body conditioning equipment. The training system is anaerobic and develops power and speed.

The Adult Karate Jutsu includes basic techniques and adds many more sophisticated techniques normally experienced and preserved in our kata. These techniques take a considerable amount of time to program the muscle memory to respond involuntary. At this level the Martial Art becomes less aerobic and more scientific.

Kobujutsu training takes the Martial Art to a much higher level and requires a greater degree of experience, as the practice is with weapons which includes sharp points and blades. If one was to be hit the blow could be fatal. Mental focus and confident movement is imperative at this level.

Children’s Karate

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Children may start training from six years old and are taught the basics of Shotokan Karate, as taught by the Japan Karate Association (see details of Shotokan Karate under ‘Origins’).

This style of Karate will develop a child’s body due to its deep stances and powerful extended movements. The style uses considerable muscle power in the delivery of its techniques, whether they are blocks or attacks.

During training no content is ever made.

Shotokan training is divided into three parts:

Kihon (basics)

Kata (forms of patterns of moves)

Kumite (sparring)

Techniques in kihon and kata are characterised by deep long stances that provide stability, enable powerful movements, and strengthen the legs. Shotokan is regarded as a dynamic martial art as it develops anaerobic, powerful techniques, as well as developing speed. Initially strength and power are demonstrated instead of slower, more flowing motions.

The children are taught a complete karate system and the syllabus that will take them from beginner to the level of Shodan (first level of Black Belt). Gradings are held every three months and require about 20 lessons to qualify. The gradings are a test to progress from one level to the next, and upon passing the student will be taught the next level.

Tournaments are held twice a year, both in the dojo and on a National level. Children are encouraged to compete as this is an opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned in a safe and controlled fashion with the feeling of reality.

The Children’s Syllabus will develop a strong and practical foundation for the student to progress within Martial Arts. It also develops a very strong and flexible body. Karate is a much disciplined activity and etiquette is of great importance. We follow a strict code of good manners and politeness.

Children Karate Class

Instructor Program

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Children can take their Shodan grading (first level of Black Belt) from the age of 12 years old. This is a cadet grade and will progress into an adult grade from the age of 15 years.

From the age of 12 years old the Shodans can enrol on the Instructor  Program. This is a course of study which will increase the students Martial Arts knowledge and bridge the gap between the Children’s syllabus and the Adult syllabus, thereby preparing the children to enter the adult class when they are 15 years old.

The Instructor Program includes an introduction into the Okinawa weapon system (Kobudo).

The Instructor Program also lays a foundation for students who may wish to start teaching Karate and obtain a qualification as a Martial Arts Instructor.

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Adult System – Karate Do

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The Adult System starts with the basics of Shotokan Karate, as taught by the Japan Karate Association (see details of Shotokan Karate under ‘Origins’).

This style of Karate will develop one’s body due to its deep stances and powerful extended movements. The style uses considerable muscle power in the delivery of its techniques, whether they are blocks or attacks.

During training no contact is ever made.

Shotokan training is divided into three parts:

Kihon (basics)

Kata (forms of patterns of moves)

Kumite (sparring)

Techniques in kihon and kata are characterised by deep long stances that provide stability, enable powerful movements, and strengthen the legs. Shotokan is regarded as a dynamic martial art as it develops anaerobic, powerful techniques, as well as developing speed. Initially strength and power are demonstrated instead of slower, more flowing motions.

In order to develop one’s body and the techniques correctly a part of the lesson is spent on bag work. This provides resistance and increases power and speed of kicks and punches. It is also an extremely efficient workout to improve bone, joint function, bone density, muscle, tendon, and ligament strength, as well as aerobic exercise to improve your heart and lung fitness, flexibility and balance.

The Adult System develops as one progresses and over time the complete karate and kobujutsu system will be taught.

Grading’s are held every three months and require about 20 lessons to qualify. The gradings are a test to progress from one level to the next and upon passing the student will be taught the next level.

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Adult System – Karate Jutsu

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The meaning of Karate Jutsu is: kara = empty, te = hand. Therefore karate is an empty or weaponless hand.

‘Jutsu’ can be translated to mean ‘art’ or ‘technique’ and represents manipulating the opponent’s force against himself rather than confronting it with one’s own force.

As the adult students progress the system develops with more sophisticated techniques. This requires more time spent on training. However, the reward is an extremely efficient fighting or self defence system.

Adults are taught the vital striking points, locks, chokes, and throws. All of these techniques are preserved in our kata (set forms) and therefore a part of each lesson is devoted to understanding and practising the application of Shotokan kata.

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Adult Kobujutsu

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Kobujutsu is a Japanese term meaning ‘Old Warrior Arts’. The general usage of the term relates to the practice of Oriental Weapons.

There is also a word KOBUDO, which means ‘Old Martial Way’. The two practices are almost indistinguishable from each other, the main difference being that Kobujutsu teaches you how to use weapons effectively, where as Kobudo teaches you how to be a more self-disciplined person through practising with weapons. The methods are essentially the same – only the objectives are different.

The weapons system was practised by Master Gichin Funakoshi, the Founder of Shotokan Karate. However, this system was not taught to the Japan Karate Association and therefore there are no weapons in modern Shotokan Karate.

From the grade of Shodan (first level of Black Belt) weapon training forms part of our syllabus. The weapons we practise are as taught by the Ryukyu Kobujutsu Association from Japan (Chief Instructor in the UK Sensei Julian Mead).

The weapons are as follows:

  1. Bo (Kon)
  2. Sai and Menji Sai
  3. Tonfa
  4. Nunchaku
  5. Kama
  6. Tekko
  7. Tinbe-Rochin
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Senior Grade – Ultimate Harmony

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In any Martial Arts system one needs the structure and knowledge to progress both physically and mentally, development of one’s body and mind will change over time and if the knowledge is made available, the development will be a very positive experience.

Our system is structured to allow continual progress whatever age the practitioner is.

The final stage to our system (at around 70 years of age) is when one has gained a lifetime of experience in the fighting arts, developed one’s  body, focused their mind and gained confidence in their ability.

The journey will have taught the student to:

Perfect their character

Express a ‘Path Of Truth’

Foster the ‘Spirit Of Effort’

Honour the ‘Principles Of Etiquette’

Guard against ‘Impetuous Courage’

Training now becomes slow and soft, breathing is key and movement natural and smooth. Having developed a complete and in-depth understanding of each and every kata, the seniors now practice the form slowly and in harmony with the elements of nature.