Blue Belt Level Three
In this 8-week course, students will build upon the karate techniques and skills learned in the previous courses.
Sensei Rick: Martial Arts, Self-Defense & Wellness
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:(1,287)
What's included
16 live meetings
12 in-class hoursHomework
1-2 hours per week. There will be no formal homework assigned, but students will be expected to watch the tutorial videos and practice what they learned in each class in order to gain proficiency, and to help them ask questions about techniques they may be struggling with. I will send out tutorial videos after some classes to help consolidate learning of new techniques.Assessment
Students are assessed on an individual basis, and will not be compared to other students in class. I will take notes of each student's progress in each class and verbally share with each student during classes. A report card will be provided at the end of the course.Class Experience
*** Before signing up for this class, all students must complete the White, Yellow, Orange, and Green belt programs, and Blue Belt Level One and Two.***
Hello, karateka (the Japanese word for "karate student")! Congratulations on making to the Blue Belt Level Three program! This is the last course of the Blue Belt program before your next belt (blue-advanced belt). This session will build upon skills that you learned in the previous courses and introduce new techniques and concepts, as well as rest of your kata, Heian Godan ("Peaceful Mind Level Five"), which is the last "Heian" kata! As with previous courses, the final class will be Grading Day, where you will demonstrate everything you've learned, and how hard you've practiced, since the beginning of the course.
[My teaching style: I will demonstrate each technique slowly first, explaining a couple of key points. I'll count the students through 10 or 20 of each technique slowly, making corrections along the way, and then we'll do another 10 or 20 at about 50% speed, and then the final 10 will be at 100% speed and power, so the students can work up a sweat and show themselves, and me, how hard and fast they can do their moves. Also, in karate, typically when the teacher counts the 10th technique, all the students verbally show their energy and spirit by shouting "Kiai!" I refer to this as the 20-20-10 counting approach. I like to use lots of positive reinforcement, and to "say a lot with a little" when it comes to explaining the techniques, so we can spend as much time as possible actually training, rather than lecturing. *** I strive to perform the majority of the techniques with the students, so they can follow along with me, but there will also be times when I will give them a couple of minutes of independent practice time, so that I can give individual feedback.]
Wearing a karate uniform will not be required, but it is encouraged that a white uniform and green belt be purchased, available online for very reasonable prices (e.g., approximately $25 for the uniform set, or $6-9 for just the belt), or at a local martial arts supply store.
Course Outline: (Please note that this is just a basic and malleable outline of each class, and the amount of material covered in each class will depend on how everyone progresses.)
All classes will have the same structure: introductions & expectations; warm-up; basics; main lesson; fun finishing drill; sign-off.
1 Review
2 Line drills for the end of Heian Godan
3 sparring drills
4 jiyu ippon kumite
5 line drills (and make your own)
6 ground defense
7 kickboxing drills
8 kata challenges
9 kicks, kicks, and more kicks
10 sparring (left and right attacks)
11 kata lines
12 kihon ippon kumite
13 partner drills
14 make up your own kata and SD
15 Grading preparation
16 Grading day!Other Details
Parental Guidance
It is strongly recommended that a parent/guardian is present to ensure the student's safety (e.g., clear training area - free of toys, nearby furniture, pets, siblings, etc), and that a parent/guardian help the student to set up their device so that the Sensei can have a clear view of the student. It is also recommended that the device have as large a screen as possible, or be hooked up to a television with an HDMI cable. Also, please note that it is Outschool's policy that only the registered student is allowed to be on camera (e.g., no parents, siblings, etc, should be on camera during class time).
Students must wear appropriate athletic clothing (a karate uniform may be purchased separately if desired) - sweatpants/trackpants or tights are recommended, whereas shorts/dresses/skirts are inappropriate for karate training, and students will be asked to change if they are dressed inappropriately.
Having a water bottle nearby is highly suggested.
Finally, since YouTube links will be sent, please ensure your learner has your permission to use YouTube (and an account) to watch karate tutorial videos (kata breakdowns, self-defense partner drills, sparring matches, etc). These videos will reiterate what is taught in class.
Supply List
Some Youtube video links will be sent in my messages in the classroom page, so that students can watch videos after class as part of their homework to supplement their learning. Various household items will be used in certain classes (e.g., chair, pillow). As stated above, parents may choose to purchase a karate uniform and belt. It is preferred that the uniform be a white karate uniform (as opposed to Judo, Tae Kwon Do, etc). There are various online sellers to choose from. I will also send a curriculum sheet sometime throughout the course.
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Joined May, 2020
5.0
1287reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
Hi! Welcome to our page! Our director and chief instructor is Sensei Rick. He has been training in martial arts for nearly 30 years and has earned the rank of 4th degree black belt in Shotokan Karate. He’s been teaching karate for about 20 years, and even owned and operated a local karate school for a number of years pre-Covid. He was bullied as a kid, and karate helped him greatly with his confidence, and his goal is to share the many physical and mental benefits of martial arts with as many kids as possible!
In order for classes to be fun, Sensei Rick thinks that kids should always learn something new, and be moving as much as possible. His classes are geared towards children aged 6-12, are fast-paced and challenging, and focus on traditional martial arts values such as respect, discipline, and perseverance.
Sensei Rick loves learning about how the human body and mind operate, and so he earned a Bachelors degree with a double major in Biology and Psychology. He then furthered his education by obtaining a Master of Arts degree in "Child Study & Education” - a combination of a masters degree and teachers college, with additional qualifications in Special Education as well as Early Childhood Education.
Sensei Rick also spent many years working as an independent contractor for SAFE International, one of the top reality-based self-defense companies in the world, where he specialized in teaching girls and boys in 9th grade Phys. Ed. classes how to verbally de-escalate and avoid conflict, and how to protect themselves if they were ever physically assaulted.
When he is not teaching or training, Sensei Rick enjoys spending time with his family and friends, cuddling his two dogs, doing archery, trading in the financial markets, and watching tv/movies.
We are looking forward to seeing you in class!Reviews
Live Group Class
$288
for 16 classes2x per week, 8 weeks
45 min
Completed by 20 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 8-13
5-10 learners per class
