Connecting Kihon Kata & Kumite with Feet Hips & Body

Kihon
The feet move the body

Kata
The hips move the feet

Kumite
Hips move before technique

Techniques are external 
Principles are internal  

Kihon is internal
Kata is transition
Kumite is external

R. Johns, Hanshi
J. Ghee, Shihan

What Black Belt Means to Me

In my journey as a junior black belt candidate, I realize it involves many characteristics. Some of these characteristics are courage, strength, honor, responsibility, pride, loyalty, integrity, and service. All these characteristics teach me the fundamentals of karate as well as the fundamentals of becoming a young man. These ingredients are needed to be successful.

As I train for my belts, I’ve learned that it hasn’t always been easy. Through discipline and hard work I succeeded. As I move up the ranks of belts, I’m required to demonstrate what I’ve learned at every level. At times I feel tired and frustrated, like I want to quit. The courage I’ve gained helped me face the challenge and complete the test. It is better to die with courage than to live with none. In the words of Shihan, “I must embrace Shotokan Karate-Do as a life long study and means of staying mentally, physically, and spiritually fit.”

Like Courage, Strength helps my body work and get strong and not just for karate, but for other sports too. The body is a machine and needs proper nutrition for fuel. Exercise and eating good food strengthens the body and prepares it for challenges faced in karate.

For a junior black belt I will honor the ways of Shotokan Karate Do, I will honor the dojo and I will honor my God and myself. An author once said, “The most tragic thing in the world is a man of genius who is not a man of honor.”

As a student of Shotokan Karate-Do, come many responsibilities. Being on time, having the proper gear, and having the correct uniform are required. It is my responsibility to make sure my Gi is clean, I don’t forget my sparing gear, and my parents know my practice schedule.

I will be loyal to the dojo, and loyal to the other candidates because we have to work together and we are counting on each other. I would encourage new students in training, be respectful towards my fellow junior black belt candidates, as well as my teachers, parents, and coaches, I will take pride in my family, my dojo, and my schoolwork. Living with integrity, learning to ask for forgiveness, to apologize when I’m wrong shows and demonstrates pride.

The last characteristic in becoming a junior black belt is service. All these character traits that I have written about, lead to the most important one and that is service. Serving my life, my dojo, and my community are all positive things that define who I am. Giving back to my community will enrich the lives of many people.

As I look back through my journey, I am grateful to the people who have supported me in becoming a junior black belt. I have made new friends that have paved the way, through their examples, in becoming an honest, spiritual, hardworking person. I’d like to thank Shihan for all his expert skills and knowledge in training, his encouragement and his ability to run a respected dojo. I’d like to also thank the Senseis and black belts for their instruction and time helping me. I’d like to thank my parents and sisters for supporting me and driving me to karate and tournaments. I’d like to thank my cousin Aidan for encouraging me to come and try out karate. Last I would like to congratulate Jacob and Noel for their commitment and journey in becoming a junior black belt. We are one, we are united, and we will conquer as the next junior black belts.

 

Domo Adigato

By Jacobe, Jr. Black Belt

The Technical Process and Application

Karate kihon and kata training should be practiced with the economy of movement and correct movement as the main focus of the technical process.

Efficient transition should be the main principle applied when moving from one technique to the next.  Within the completeness of transition and technique the basic application should present itself.

jrg, ccdk 6/27/14

CCDK Kumite Principles

Corpus Christi Downtown Karate

Kumite Principle 1 

Hit back, strike back, fire back right away. 

1. Before you get hit - Sen No Sen

2. While you being hit - Taitai No Sen (in both cases)

3. After you get hit. - Go No Sen

　

Kumite Principle 2 
Have good footwork to avoid being hit. 

1. Move right left, forward back and side to side, shift off the line of attack.

2. Evade the attack so you can strike back. Use angles in this case.

3. Use strong blocks and deflections.

Kumite Principle 3
Have good footwork to successfully attack. 

1. Attack when there is a physical opening or mental opening.

2. Attack when you create a physical opening or mental opening.

3. Attack when timing and distance is best.

Jeff Ghee 6th Dan, Shihan
Corpus Christi Downtown Karate

Reference:
Ricardo Johns, 9th Dan Hanshi
Dai Ichi Shotokan Karate-Do
http://www.dska.org/index.htm

Balfour Wright, 9th Dan Hanshi
Society of Harmonious Fist, Goju Ryu
http://www.thekaratedojo.us/ 

A Strong Hekite

Six ways a strong Hekite (pulling hand) helps in your training. 

- Helps while doing Kihon 

(basic techniques)

- Helps pull the body into hanmi (half body position)

- Helps with maintaining kame upright correct posture

- Helps you achieve good kime (strong focused technique)

by way of equal opposites 

- Helps keep the body in proper position while in transition

- Helps with Kata 

Jrg ccdk 9/2013

Technique, Spirit, and Chi

Strong technique awakens the spirit

Spirit activates the chi

The chi mobilizes the body

The body unites man, earth and heaven 

Jin No Kata 

Kata of Man

Chi No Kata 

Kata of Earth

Ten No Kata 

Kata of Heaven

Alignment structure energy and presents

8/3/13/jrg

Karate is a form of Meditation

Kihon is learning Meditation

Kata Is moving meditation

Kumite Is applied meditation

1/8/13/jrg/ccdk