Kids Karate: White Belt Level One Program

*** Before signing up for this class, all students must complete the 35-minute introductory class, "Traditional Karate for Kids: An Introduction to Basic Blocks, Strikes, and Stances", or a 3-day session of "After-School Karate: A Fun Introduction to Karate".***

Hello, karateka (the Japanese word for "karate student"), if you would like to earn your yellow belt in Karate, then this is the course for you! In order to qualify to test for yellow belt, you'll need to pass Level One and Two of the White Belt program. The final class of each level will be Grading Day, where students will demonstrate everything they've learned, and how hard they've practiced, since the beginning of the course. Students who pass the Level One test will be invited to the Level Two, and students who do not pass will be invited to retake Level One. (If you attend class regularly and practice at home by watching the short videos that I send, and following along with them, then you should have no problems passing the test!)

In this 16-session multi-day Level One course, students will build upon the foundation learned in the introductory class, and learn new skills to get them prepared to begin learning the first half of their first Kata (a pre-arranged choreographed set of karate techniques). In addition, this Level One course will incorporate some Karate history and Japanese etiquette, and each class will review pertinent Japanese terminology. 

[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 white belt be purchased, available on amazon for very reasonable prices (e.g., approximately $25), 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

Lesson #1: Review of material learned in the introductory class (basic punch, high block, front kick); introduce Front Stance; basic karate etiquette; how to count to 5 in Japanese.

Lesson #2: Sparring basics - basic movement in defensive stance, sparring attacks and blocks.

Lesson #3: Movement and blocking - how to correctly block while stepping forward, backwards, and to the side in front stance; Japanese terminology of each technique learned in this lesson

Lesson #4: Kicks, kicks, and more kicks! 

Lesson #5: Perfect Your Stances - our legs will be on fire by the end of this class! We'll work on all of our stances, as well as how to do some turning exercises. This is a big component of Level Two, so students will get an introduction to it in this class.

Lesson #6: Self-defense - no contact, no partners required! In this class, students will learn how to block various traditional karate attacks, as well a counter technique. They will be watching me and reacting to my attacks as I strike towards the camera. This is challenging and a lot of fun, for the students AND the Sensei! 

Lesson #7: Sparring basics and drills

Lesson #8: How to fall safely ("breakfalls"); midterm review

Lesson #9: Putting our basics together, learning how to turn correctly from one stance to another, building the foundation to learn half of our first kata ("Heian Shodan").

Lesson #10: Kata review; Karate Strengthening & Stretching - karate requires abilities such as physical strength, muscular endurance, balance, coordination, flexibility, proprioception (body-awareness), etc. This class will be sweaty, make sure you have lots of water after class!

Lesson #11: Self-defense "one step sparring" - learn to defend against 3 different attacks.

Lesson #12: Blocking basics; introducing Shuto Uke (knifehand block)

Lesson #13: Kicks, kicks, and more kicks! Learn thrusting front kick

Lesson #14: Learn side breakfall; kata review

Class #15: Review Day! Full review of all material to help everyone prepare for testing day

Class #16: Grading Day! Today is the day to show off everything you've learned and show me how hard you've been practicing outside of class time. Every student will be assessed on everything that has been taught throughout the course, and will be sent a report card of their performance. Students who pass will receive a digital certificate and will be invited to join the next program, "White Belt Level Two".