FUNDAMENTALS

OF
MARTIAL ARTS

KARATEDO
Key Points
1. Overview of Karate
2. Training System
3. Training Commands
4. Contested Categories
5. Basic Rules in
Competition
6. Demonstrations
BRIEF HISTORY
SHIHAN
IMPORTANT TERMS
IN KARATE
KARATE TITLES
Dai-Sempai: dai meaning “big” or great” and often used in
the context “big brother of the class” (usually given to a
1st kyu brown belt and junior black belt)
Senpai/Sempai: means “mentor” or “senior” often used to
indicate an assistant instructor (usually 1st and 2nd dan)
Sensei: means “one who came before” or has walked the
path before and often used to indicate a fully capable
teacher (usually given at 2nd or 3rd dan but can be given
later)
Shihan: is a master title for a senior instructor (earlies
given at 4th dan) and equivalent to a doctorate degree
Renshi: is a master title meaning “polished expert”
(usually given at 6th dan)
Kyoshi: is a master title meaning “teacher of teachers”
(usually given at 7th dan)
Hanshi: is a master title for the head master of a style
Soke: is the absolute head of a style
Shodai-Soke: is the founder of a style
KATA
Translations are approximate transliterations of the
Chinese characters used to “spell” the kata names.
kata – form(s)
heian shodan – “stable and secure” / “stable
peace,” “first level”
heian nidan – ditto, “second level”
heian sandan – ditto, “third level”
heian yondan – you get the idea
heian godan
tekki shodan – “iron horseman,” “first level”
bassai dai – “destroying a fortress,” “greater”
version
empi – “flight of the swallow”
jion – “compassion and favor” (This is a Buddhist
term and possibly the name of some temple.)
kankuu dai – “observing the sky/emptiness,”
“greater” version *
jutte / jitte – “ten hands”
hangetsu – “half moon”
tekki nidan
tekki sandan
nijuushiho – “twenty-four steps”
gankaku – “boulder crane” (the bird on a rock)
sochin [sou-chin] – “strength and control”
bassai sho [shou] – “destroying a fortress,” “lesser”
version *
kankuu sho [shou] – “observing the sky/emptiness,”
“lesser” version *
unsu [unsuu] – “cloud hands”
gojuushiho (dai) – “fifty-four steps,” “greater” version *
gojuushiho sho [shou] – “fifty-four steps,” “lesser”
version *
meikyo [meikyou] – “bright mirror”
ji’in – “compassion and shadow” (Possibly another
temple.)
chinte – “rare hands”
wankan – “king’s crown”
NUMBERS IN JAPANESE
When counting for class, just pronounce the
first syllable of bisyllabic numbers (i.e., ich,
rok, shich, hach), for shorter, sharper
counting.

1. ichi
2. ni
3. san
4. shi
5. go
6. roku
7. shichi
8. hachi
9. ku (kyuu)
10.juu
STANCES
hachinoji-dachi – ready stance
zenkutsu-dachi – front stance
kou-kutsu-dachi – back stance
kiba-dachi – horse stance / saddle
stance
neko-dachi – cat stance
sochin-dachi / fudou-dachi –
sochin stance / “immovable” stance
sanchin-dachi – “hourglass” stance
hangetsu-dachi – “half moon”
stance
ARM ATTACKS
tsuki – punch
oi-zuki – lunge punch
gyaku-zuki – reverse punch
kizami-zuki – jab punch
nukite – spear-hand (thrust)
ura-ken – back hand (strike)
empi – elbow (strike)
LEG ATTACKS
geri – kick
mae-geri – front (snap) kick
mawashi-geri – round house
kick
(yoko-geri) kekomi – side
thrust kick
(yoko-geri) keage – side snap
kick
ushiro-geri – back (thrust) kick
BLOCKS
age-uke – rising block
ude-uke – “arm block”, often used to
mean outside block
soto-uke – outside block (see above)
uchi-uke – inside block
gedan barai – down block / “lower level
sweep”
shuto-uke – knife-hand block
nagashi-uke – “flushing block” /
deflecting block
kakiwake-uke – two-handed
“separating” block
juuji-uke – two-handed “cross” block
ATTACKING LEVELS
jodan – “upper level” /
face
chudan – “middle level”
/ stomach / solar plexus
gedan – “lower level” /
groin
KUMITE
kumite – sparring
(kihon) gohon kumite – (basic)
five-step sparring
(kihon) sanbon kumite –
(basic) three-step sparring
(kihon) ippon kumite – (basic)
one-step sparring
jiyuu ippon kumite – semi-free
one-step sparring
(jiyuu) kumite – free sparring
OTHER TERMS
kihon – basic(s)
ki-ai – “spirit focus” / a focusing
yell
kime – “decision” / focus
rei – bow
yoi – “get ready” / often a
command to stand in hachinoji-
dachi
yame – stop
yasume – rest, relax
maware / mawatte – turn
hajime – begin
mokuso – “quiet meditation”
dojo [dou-jou] – “way place,”
the place where you train
dojo kun – Guiding Principles
seiza – “proper sitting” /
kneeling
sempai – senior student
ko-hai – junior student
SYSTEM OF TRAINING
 SYSTEM OF
TRAINING
 Dojo Kun
 Warm-up and
Stretching
 Kihon
 Kata
 Basic Sparring
 Kumite
 Dojo Kun
DOJO KUN
 DOJO KUN
 SEEK PERFECTION OF
CHARACTER
 BE FAITHFUL
 ENDEAVOUR
 RESPECT OTHERS
 REFRAIN FROM VIOLENT
BEHAVIOR
 LOVE GOD ABOVE ALL
 Dojo Kun
hitotsu, jinkaku kansei ni tsutomurukoto.
one, to work toward completion/perfection of
character.
hitotsu, makoto no michi wo mamorukoto.
one, to protect the path of truth.
hitotsu, doryoku no seishin wo yashinaukoto.
one, to nurture a spirit of hard work.
hitotsu, reigi wo omonzurukoto.
one, to give weight to courtesy and respect.
hitotsu, kekki no yuu wo imashimurukoto.
one, to reign in impetuousness.
Hitotsu, Nani yori mo kami o aisuru
one, should love God above all
ARM-UP & STRETCHING
KIHON
 KIHON
Fundamental techniques are called,
“KIHON." Fundamental training in Karate
involves training in punching, blocking,
kicking, striking with different edges of the
hands, feet, knees, and elbows, stances,
hip rotation (for more power), and body
shifting. There is also more advanced
fundamental training in changing direction,
shifting the body out of the way of an
attack, and using the different
fundamentals in combination with each
other.
IMPORTANT TERMS
FOR NEWFACE
 IMPORTANT TERMS
FOR NEWFACE
 Yoi Dachi - Ready Stance
 Musubi Dachi - Joining Stance
 Rei - Bow

 Yame - Stop
 Hajime - Start
 Ossu - Respectful greeting

 Chudan Tsuki – Straight Punch on the middle

part of the Body.
 Jodan Tsuki – Straight Punch on the upper
part of the Body.
 Jodan Uke – Raising Block
 Chudan Uke – Middle Block
 Gidan Uke / Gidan Barai
– Downward Block
 BASIC JAPANESE
COMMAND IN KIHON
 Basic Japanese
Command in Kihon
1st Command:
Yoi Dachi - Ready Stance
Musubi Dachi - Joining Stance
Rei - Bow
2nd Command:
1. Hidari Zenkutsu Dachi Gidan Barai (count)
2. Mawati Hidari Zenkutsu Dachi Gidan Barai
3. Yame
(1st Kihon to 4th Kihon)
3rd Command:
Hidari Kokutsu Dachi, Shoto Uke (Count)
(5th Kihon)
KIHON FOR NEWFACE
KIHON FOR NEWFACE
1. Chudan Tsuki/Zuki
2. Jodan Uke
3. Chudan Uke
4. Mae geri
5. Shuto Uke
KATA
 KATA
2 Major Criteria
 Technical Performances
.
 Athletic Performance
 Technical Performances
1. Stance
2. Techniques
3. Transitional Movements
4. Timing
5. Correct Breathing
.
6. Focus
 Athletic Performances
1. Speed
2. Power/Strength
3. Balance
4. Rhythm
 TAIKYOKU
It is often
interpreted as "First
Cause" or "Basic
Ultimate" to denote
its basic yet
important nature.
 HEIAN SHODAN
Heian Shodan translates as
'Peaceful Mind – level one'. It is
the first Kata in the Heian series
and is usually the first Kata that
a beginner must learn, It has 21
movements. This Kata takes the
student through a similar floor
pattern as Taikyoku, but
incorporates different
techniques including a hammer
fist and a knife hand block.
 HEIAN NIDAN
Heian Nidan, the second
Heian Kata, has 26
movements. This kata uses
the same floor pattern as
Taikyoku and Heian Shodan,
but utilizes a wider variety
of techniques. Some of the
new techniques include the
front kick, side kick, brace
block and spear hand.
 HEIAN SANDAN
Heian Sandan is known
for its four sets of fast,
simultaneous block/strike
combinations at the start of
the Kata. This Kata has the
first use of Kiba-dachi (horse
riding stance) in a shotokan
Kata, we see fumikomi
(stamping kick) and spinning
techniques for the first time.
HEIAN YONDAN
Heian Yondan is also
known as Shotokan Kata 4. It
is the kata that usually
follows after Heian Sandan.
Heian Yondan is a lower-level
Shotokan kata that teaches
basic kicks, strikes and
stances. It is one of the
Shotokan katas taught to
color belt (non-black belt)
Karate students.
 HEIAN GODAN
Heian Godan is the last
kata in the Heian series and
has 23 counts. A combination
of quick and slow movements,
timing skill and fluidity of
motion are essential for this
kata. It is the first Shotokan
kata containing a jump (tobi-
komi), a very exciting
technique for beginner and
intermediate karateka.
 TEKKI SHODAN
It is the first Kata in the
Tekki Series and is also the
first kata that does not start
in the traditional yoi
position. Having 29 counts it
is performed almost entirely
in a horse stance
 EMPI
Empi (formerly known as Wanshu, named
after a Chinese diplomat) has 37 counts, making
it the shortest of the Sentei kata.
Empi translates as "Flying Swallow" or "Flight of
the Swallow." It is a very dynamic Kata,
requiring speed and agility. It gets its name from
the diving patterns of the swallow, a small bird
known for its excellent swiftness and
maneuverability. Hence, the Kata is
characterised by quick changes in direction, as
well as many sinking and rising motions that
mimic the swallow's flight. Just as the swallow
catches flying insects in mid-flight,
the bunkai of Empi focus on catching the
opponent in mid-attack, unbalancing him and
making him unable to make further attacks.
 GANKAKU
The kata is usually translated as
"Crane on a Rock," referring to the
crane stance (tsuru-dachi), when one
must sink on one-leg as if a crane
perched, ready to strike. The crane
stance in Gankaku is performed
in manji-kamae and is always followed
by an uraken/yoko-keage (followed by
a punch) combo. Even though the kata
has many fast and sharp attacks, it
also exhibits several slow postures as
well, lending a certain calmness to
the kata, especially given the slow
double-counts in tsuru-dachi.
 UNSU
Translations of the
term Unsu include "Cloud
Hands," "Hands in the
Clouds," and even "Parting
the Clouds." The name of
the kata implies that your
hands are like clouds, ever
changing and capable of
discharging lethal force in
the blink of an eye.
CONTESTED CATEGORIES
IN KATA
 CONTESTED CATEGORIES IN
KATA
Categories: New Face, Novice,
Intermediate, Advance (by Age)

New Face: Taikyoku

Novice: Taikyoku, Heian Shodan,
Intermediate: Heian Nidan, Heian
Sandan, Heian Yondan, Heian
Godan
Advance: Unsu, Gankaku, Enpi
and Etc.
BASIC SPARRING
 BASIC
SPARRING
 Jion Kumite
 Sanbon Kumite
 Ippon Kumite
KUMITE
 KUMITE
Kumite is one of the three
main sections of karate training,
along with kata and kihon. In
martial arts, kumite refers
to sparring free form fighting
between two opponents, typically
involving light blows or strikes that
don't actually make contact.
Kumite is most closely associated
with karate, and one of the forms
of karate practiced as a sport is
known as kumite.
 SCORING TERMS
1. Player:
 AO -Blue
 Aka -Red

2. Body Parts:
 Jodan
 Chudan

3. Score:
 Yuko - 1 point
 Waza-ari - 2 points
 Ippon - 3 points
 TECHNIQUES WITH
EQUIVALENT SCORE
Yuko
 Chudan Tsuki
 Jodan Tsuki
 Ura-ken
Waza-ari
 Mawashi Chudan Geri
 Kikume Chudan Geri
 Yuko Chudan Geri
 Meigeri
Ippon
 Mawashi Jodan Geri
 Ura Mawashi Jodan Geri
 Ashibarai
 SEVEN SCORING
AREA OF THE BODY
1. Head
2. Face
3. Neck
4. Chest
5. Abdomen
6. Side
7. Back
 PROHIBITED
BEHAVIOR
CATEGORY 1
 Techniques which makes excessive
contact, having regard to the
scoring area attacked, and
techniques which make contact
with the throat.
 Attacks to the arms, legs, groin,
joints or instep.
 Attacks to the face with open hand
techniques.
 Dangerous of forbidden throwing
techniques.
 PROHIBITED
BEHAVIOR
CATEGORY 2
 Feigning, or exaggerating injury.
 Exit from the competition area
(JOGAI) not caused by the opponent
 Self-endangerment by indulging in
behavior, which exposes the
contestant to injury by the
opponent, or failing to take adequate
measure for self-protection.
(MUBOBI).
 Avoiding combat as a means of
preventing the opponent having the
opportunity to score.
 PROHIBITED
BEHAVIOR
CATEGORY 2
 Passivity- not attempting to engage
in combat. (Cannot be given after
less than last 15 seconds of the
match.
 Clinching, wrestling, pushing or
standing chest to chest without
attempting scoring technique or
takedown.
 Grabbing the opponent with both
hands for any other reasons than
executing a takedown upon catching
then opponent kicking leg.
 PROHIBITED
BEHAVIOR
CATEGORY 2
 Grabbing the opponent’s arm or
karate gi with one hand without
immediately attempting a scoring
technique of takedown.
 Techniques, which by their nature,
cannot be controlled for the safety
of the opponent and dangerous and
uncontrolled attacks.
 Simulated attacks with the head,
knees, or elbows.
 PROHIBITED
BEHAVIOR
CATEGORY 2
 Talking to or goading the opponent,
failing to obey the orders of the
referee, discourteous behavior
towards the referee officials, or
other breaches of etiquette.
 CONTESTED
CATEGORIES FOR
KUMITE
New Face Kumite (Ages 6-16 above)
Novice Kumite (Ages 6-16 above)
Age Group (6-13 y/o)
Cadet Kumite (14-15 y/o)
Junior Kumite (16-17 y/o)
Senior Kumite 18 and above y.o)
Executive Categories
Masters Cup
 BENEFITS OF
JOINING KARATE
 FINANCIAL
COMMITMENT
FUTURE PLANS
 ARIGATOU
GOZAIMASU