Glossary and Terms |
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Counting
Kumite Fighting As with all martial arts, karate was developed as a means of self defence and will invariably involve some physical contact. Within the dojo and in competitions, the aim is to get a fully focused attack without contacting your opponent. The martial aspect is the fighting effectiveness and defence potential the art is knowing when to stop. There are different levels of kumite in the class depending on the grade and objectives of the lesson but typically, the following may include:
As a beginner, kumite will be very basic and will consist of basic punching and kicking with a block and counter to your opponent. As you progress, footwork will involve stepping (3 or 5 step) which end in a counter offensive attack. For senior grades, the formatted stepping is replaced with more fluid and footwork and punching techniques, along with foot sweeps, back kicks etc. The building up of the basic techniques into an effective, mobile style will be achieved with practice over time. Kata Form Historically, combat techniques were passed down through word of mouth and often practised without an instructor from memory. As time progressed, a fixed sequence was developed. And kata is therefore a set of fixed sequence of movements of specific defence and attacking techniques from imaginary attacking and fighting directions. Some kata are elementary, others advanced, some emphasise speed, breathing, others distance and body movement. Each movement has a specific meaning and only through repetition and an understanding of the kata can it be thoroughly mastered. Terms Next, there are quite a few word that you'll hear that are instructions as to what to do and some miscellaneous words that are used to describe certain things.
Stances - these are the basic way you hold your body in karate. Beginners will start mainly using 'front stance', but both 'back', and 'horse' stance play a big role in the intermediate level. Occasionally kata will call for more elaborate stances, such as the immovable stance, or half moon stance, but these are rarely practised outside of Dan-grade levels in anything other than kata. Here's a list of the stances that are performed in Shotokan Karate:
Attacking levels - these are 'where' you hit. These are the three targets of attack in the striking area of shotokan karate (not taking into account pressure point attacks, or grappling moves - which come into play at the later levels). These are used when announcing attacks (so the defender knows which block to use) and also when an instructor is getting you to perform a technique, he or she will commonly give you a target level:
These are the various attacks that you will learn in Karate. The elbow strike, which is a fairly early move that is learnt - is one of the most devastating attacks available when combined with a stepping kiba-dachi stance, but is fairly simple. Here are some of the arm attacks. Note that 'tsuki' is how punch is pronounced, but when combined with 'oi' or 'gyaku', it's pronunciation changes to 'zuki' (with an even more silent 't') Arm attacks
Leg attacks
Blocks These are the blocking moves that you will learn, and their translations.
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Lewisham Shotokan Karate Centre 2006 |
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