Gig Harbor Karate Academy

Our curriculum is based on a few simple principles:

1. Regular attendance is the key to success.
2. The three secrets to mastering karate are: practice, practice, practice.
3. Every student must take responsibility for his or her own progress (or lack thereof).

Youth Curriculum

There are two concrete elements that make up the youth karate curriculum – Stripes and Belts.  Read below for a detailed explanation of the system.

Stripes: A stripe is worn on the belt itself and is awarded based on successful performance of an individual karate skill or combination.

1. Each belt level has its own list of requirements which are posted in the dojo and also on this website:  Belt Requirements
2. All stripe requirements are listed in a numerical sequence for the sake of presentation only.  Students may earn their stripes in any order.
3. Stripe tests occur on a weekly basis on Fridays from 4:15 – 5pm.
4. There is no fee for stripe tests taken during the Friday class.
5. Private stripe tests are available at an additional cost.

Belts: Our curriculum is organized by a belt system.  The belt system is as follows:

1. White Belt
2. Yellow Stripe Belt
3. Yellow Belt
4. Purple Belt
5. Orange Belt
6. Blue Belt
7. Green Belt
8. Brown Level 3 (Solid Brown)
9. Brown Level 2 (Brown w/Red Stripe)
10. Brown Level 1 (Brown w/Black Stripe)
11. Junior Black Belt (Black Belt w/White Stripe) (Ages 13-17 years)
12. Black Belt (Ages 18 +)

Each belt has a unique set of requirements (stripes) as discussed above.  When a student has earned all their stripes he/she is eligible for a monthly belt test.  Monthly belt test dates and times are listed on the Academy schedule, in our monthly email newsletter, and available on this website:  Belt Testing Schedule.  Private belt testing is available upon request and for an additional fee.

Techniques

Although the martial arts world is full of many systems or styles, there are a few basic categories of martial arts movements:

• Stance: the static position of the feet and legs
• Guard: static position of hands, arms and shoulders
• Block: defensive movement which deflects, interrupts or traps an attack
• Hand Strike: any strike done with the hand (punch, palm strike, finger jab, ear slap, knuckle strike, etc)
• Elbow Strike: any strike using the elbow as a weapon
• Knee Strike: any strike using the knee as a weapon
• Kick: any strike using the foot and/or shin as a weapon
• Grab: any attacking movement that uses the hand to grasp a body part or clothing
• Lock: any technique that controls a joint by preventing movement at that joint or by forcing a joint out of its normal range of motion
• Trap: a technique similar to a block delivered with the intention of immobilizing one of the opponent’s weapons

Terminology

We use a few important terms to describe the basic martial arts body positions and movements.  All movements and positions are named from the ground up.  To name a move we use the following basic formula:

Stance (Foot Position) – Guard (Hand Position) – Movement (Block, Strike, Step or Kick)

To add detail we can also use the following descriptive terms:

• Lead: side of the body closest to the opponent, also referred to as the “weak side”

• Rear: side of the body furthest from the opponent, also referred to as the “strong side”

• High: any target area located from the top of the head to the bottom of the sternum (example – neck)

• Middle: any target area located from the bottom of the sternum to the hip joint (example – rib cage)

• Low: any target area located from the hips to the ankles (example – knee)

• Inside: a technique that begins on the side of the body and moves towards the midline of the body (example – inside arm block)

• Outside: a technique that originates on the midline of the body and moves towards the side of the body (example – outside arm block)

If we go back to the basic formula above, we can now add detail to our description of the technique:

Stance – Guard – Descriptive Term – Movement

Here are a few examples of how to name a single movement:

• Even Stance – Low Guard – Outside Arm Block

• Right Stance – High Guard – Lead Side Kick

To name a combination:

• Left Stance – Low Guard – Lead Hook Punch – Lead Backfist – Lead Side Kick

• Right Stance – High Guard – Lead Jab – Rear Middle Reverse Punch – Lead Backfist

If you and your child can become familiar with these terms and verbal organization, it can help aid in home practice sessions and in memorization of the techniques.

Forms/Kata

Most systems of martial arts teach forms or kata.  A kata is a martial arts routine that helps to develop footwork patterns, physical fitness and basic technique.  A basic kata might be 30 movements or less, and an advanced kata might exceed 100 consecutive movements.  Kata are a challenging aspect of martial arts, but are also exciting and fun.  There is nothing cooler than learning a double jump kick, a jumping spinning crescent kick or that awesome helicopter move with a staff.  All these appear in the kata (forms).

There are two organizational terms for kata:  Sho (Japanese for “short”) and Dai (Japanese for “long”).  Because of the length of the kata, we teach most of them in 2 or more segments or sections.  For example – as a yellow belt – a student will learn SeiuchinSho kata, then as a purple belt he/she will learn SeiuchinDai kata.

Traditional Weapons

Our curriculum includes traditional weapons practice.  The weapon techniques are usually taught via forms/kata.  Weapons are a key component of martial arts because of the strength benefits they provide.  Using nunchaku, tonfa, sai, bo (staff), sticks, swords, and spears develops excellent strength in the wrists, forearms and shoulders.  Weapons practice also develops hand-eye coordination, focus and spatial awareness.

All weapons practice is done in a safe environment with excellent supervision.

Sparring Training

At GHKA we teach a lot of technique through kata and static (non-moving) partner drills.  Sparring is training when both partners move freely and may use any legal technique they choose.  Sparring is completely safe and practiced only with instructor supervision and required safety gear.  Sparring builds fitness by elevating the heart rate and forcing students to develop agility, accuracy and speed. Sparring during class is not about competition – it is about skill development.

Sparring is required as part of the youth curriculum starting at white belt w/yellow stripe.

REQUIRED Protective Gear:  Available at the GHKA Pro-Shop

Students must have all required gear to participate in sparring classes.

Sparring Terminology

Point Sparring:  Also known as “Sport Karate,” is a method of sparring where the match is stopped each time a point is awarded until one competitor acquires enough points to win.  This is the most common type of sparring in modern tournaments.

Continuous Sparring: A method of sparring where matches are fought in timed rounds and the winner is chosen by decision or points or both.  This is the most common way sparring will operate in classes to facilitate fitness development.

No Contact:  Techniques to target areas defined as “No Contact” will be stopped short of the target

Light Contact:  Techniques to target areas defined as “Light Contact” will be allowed to touch the target at speed but with controlled impact.

GHKA sparring rules allow NO or LIGHT CONTACT ONLY.

Sparring Target Areas

Techniques