Karate

Introduction

Karate is a type of Martial Arts. The word "Karate" means "open handed" If you learn Karate, this type of martial art will come in handy for both defending and self-control. Here are some tips and information on Karate that will for sure help you learn this interesting sport.

Number 1: Uniforms

If you already take Karate classes, you will know that every time you go to class, you have to wear a special uniform. This special uniform is called a "gee" . Gees are white(sometimes different colored-depending on what type of Karate you do) and usually thick(also depending if you prefer thickness over small). Gees are white because in the older days, people didn't have as much money and white was the cheapest material you could buy. Often, somewhere on the top half of the uniform, the type of Karate you do will be printed in black letters of characters.

How to tie your gei properly

Gees also have 2 parts- one for the top- a jacket-like long-sleeve shirt with ribbons that you tie in a certain way for the top half of your body(the farthest back ribbon ties to the front ribbon on the left side and the same for the other 2 ribbons)- and pants for the other half of your body.

Number 2: Belts

Besides just the white geis, there is another part of your uniform you need to wear- your belt! Belts come in different colors depending on what level you are on. The colors represent the ranking you were ranked at your last test. The order of the belts are all different depending on what type of Karate you do. Here is one type of Karate's belt order: white, yellow, orange, blue, purple, red, green, brown, junior black belt( 2 black stripes with on white stripe in the middle),second junior black belt( all black on front side, same as junior black belt on backside), and finally: black belt. When you get your black belt, even though you are one of the highest ranks you can get, you have not finished all the levels and ranks. On your blackbelt, you get golden stripes on your belt if you pass a test. You can also get certain names such as Tenth-Dan- which is the highest name you can get in one type of Karate.

When you tie your belt, there is a certain way you have to tie it. First, you take your belt and unroll it to it's full length. Then you take the middle of it and put it on the middle of your stomach. Next, take one end of the belt and bring to the opposite side of your body- still holding the belt to your stomach. Then do the same to the other side. After, take the left end of the belt and put it all the way through the layers of the thick material on your stomach and pull it tight. After, cross both ends so that they make an "X". Then take the left side and cross it over the right end and put it through the hole in the middle of the cross. When your all done, pull both ends in opposite directions and so that your belt makes a triangle. You just learned how to tie your belt properly!

Number 3: Stances

In order to be able to do Karate moves, you need to be able to put yourself in a strong stance. First, put your feet apart as wide as your shoulders and put your hands in fist and bring your arms up to about your nose but not touching. Then, make sure that your arms are not straight up, but almost resting a little lower than your chest. Also, make sure that your arms are bent at about a 95 degrees angle and make your arms strong to over time, build up muscle. Do the same for your legs. Now, since you know how to put yourself in a strong, practical stance, you will be able to start learning a couple of Karate moves!

Number 4: The Basics

If you want to be able to do all the cool and more complicated moves, you have to master the basics. As you get into harder moves, you will eventually find that the basics are what help make your moves seem easier to learn and more accurate.

Sliding forward and back

When you are doing many series of movements, (known as "katas"-pronounced "kaataas") you end up moving in many different directions. Some basic and easy directions you can slide in, is going forward and back. In this paragraph, we will learn how to slide in both those directions. First, we are going to learn how to move forward. To do this, put yourself in a good stance and slide forward without switching feet. Practice doing that many times to master the form and also to get used to it. To slide backwards, you are going to do the same thing as you did to slide forward, but this time slide backwards. Also practice this many times. Although this seems easy, you are on your way to be able to do other sophisticated moves.

Front punches

Another easy and basic move to do is called a "front punch". This move is basically a regular punch, but is more in controll and is more practical. To do this, first get into your strong stance again, but don't clench up as much. After, put one foot forward and bring your arms up. Then, with both arms up, bring one back to your side- but still bent and not straight and hanging at your side. Next, punch your arm forward. Make sure that when you punch, your elbow is still a tiny bit bent. That way, your punch is still strong and you won'y break your elbow or arm when you hit something hard.

Video 9: How to Do a Front Punch from The Dojo Karate Centers on Vimeo.

Front kicks

One more easy and basic move to do is called a "front kick". Front kicks are just like front punches, but instead of punching with your arm, you are kicking with your leg. First, get in you good stance once again. Next, put one foot forward again. After, you can either lift your front foot up, or lift your back leg up, keeping it bent at a 90 degree angle. Then, shoot whichever leg is up forward. When you finish your kick, quickly snap it back to you. Even though this move is so easy to learn, depending on how well you make your kick, it can be very effective.

How to do a Taekwondo Front Kick from Kevin Geary on Vimeo.

Conclusion

Now that you have learned a couple of moves and information about Karate, if you decide to start taking Karate classes, it will be a little bit easier to learn than if you didn't know anything about the sport. Karate is a fun and useful activity that is always nice to have behind your back when bad luck comes your way.