TRAINING

Grading Syllabus
White to Black Belt Shodan
White Belts: ( 4 Months)
Basic Blocks, punches, Horse Stance, Forward Stance, Front Kick, basic sweep, 8 Techniques, Gohon Kumite, Kata Tai Kyo Ku Shodan,
Yellow Belts: (9th Kyu) ( 4 Months)
Back stance, moving inner fore arm blocks in back stance, Side Kick, Back fist, Chops, 10 Techniques, Kata Tai Kyo Ku Sandan
Orange Belts: (8th Kyu) ( 4 Months)
Cat Stance, Knife Hand Blocks, Turning Kick, Turning slap,
Scissor move kicks, Elbow strikes, three block+punch combinations Sanbon Kumite, 10 Techniques, Kata Heian Shodan.
Green Belts: (7th Kyu) ( 4 Months)
4 types of sweeps, Back kick backwards, Four block + punch combination, finger thrust, knuckle thrust, palm heel strikes, 10 Techniques, Kata Heian Nidan
Blue Belts: (6th Kyu) ( 5 Months)
Hook Kick, Inner & Outer Crescent Kicks, Front back kick, Throws, 8 techniques, Kata Heian Sandan, Bunkai of katas.
Purple Belts: (5th Kyu) ( 5 Months)
Spinning Kick, Combination Kicks 4 sides, Elbow combination, Reverse chops, 6 techniques, Kata Heian Yonndan
Brown IV ( 4th Kyu ) ( 6 Months)
Scissor jump kick, 3 spinning kicks, 4 blocks + backfist + punch combination, 6 techniques, Kata Heian Godan, Nanchaku swings & movements
Brown III ( 3rd Kyu)( 6 Months)
Flying kick, 6 combination kicks, Kata Tekki Shodan & Basai Dai
Brown II (2nd Kyu) ( 8 Months)
Kata Tekki Nidan & Kanku Dai, Nanchaku Kata
Brown I ( 1st Kyu) ( 8 Months)
Kata Tekki Sandan & Jion

Above Black Belt

Black Belt Shodan: ( Min 2 yrs for promotion to Nidan)
Kata Basai Sho & Kanku Sho + Single Sword Kata
Black Belt Nidan: (Min 3 yrs for promotion to Sandan)
Kata Empi & Hangetsu + Stick Kata
Black Belt Sandan: (Min 4 yrs for promotion to Yondan)
Kata Jitte , Jiin & Sochin + Double Sword Kata
Black Belt Yondan: (Min 5 yrs for promotion to Godan)
Kata Unsu , Gankaku, Goju Shiho Dai + Butterfly Sword Kata
Black Belt Godan:
Kata Goju Shiho Sho, Niju Shiho, Wankan

The techniques given below are the part of the syllabus for training and grading test under IIMA
White Belt Techniques:
Assume forward stance:

• Katas
  
  

  A Kata is a prearranged sequence of movements containing imaginary fighting techniques. While techniques are combination of blocks, strikes and kicks and practised in a straight line, Katas are the combination of various strikes, blocks etc in all four directions. By practising katas, we can improve our coordination in movements and ability to turn in any direction and perform various striking and kicking techniques.
   Katas are believed to be centuries old. These sets of blocking and attacking movements are believed to have been formed by the great Okinawan masters and some by Chinese Martial arts masters in China. However some of the katas are of the recent origin. Each Karate style has its own set of katas, though the variations of some katas are found in different styles of karate. The katas given here of Budokan style. Small variations exist in different schools of Karate practicing the same style of Katas. Each Kata has a name of Okinawan or Japanese origin.
   The basic katas of Budokan are very simple. The basic katas are sets of series of katas. For example the Thaikykoku series has four katas which are named by the name of the series and the number. Hence Thaikyoku Shodan is the first kata in the Thaikyoku series. There are four Thaikyoku katas namely shodan, nidan, sandan and yondan of which we practise the first and the third, namely Thaikyoku shodan and Thikyoku sandan. Similarly Heian series has five katas and Tekki series has three katas. Heian and Thaikyoku seies katas are said to of the recent origin. Heian katas were introduced in the beginning of the 20th century when karate was introduced to school children in Okinawa. These were introduced so that it would be easier for children to study simple katas before learning the higher katas like Basai Dai. Gichin Funakoshi, Father of Modern Karate and founder of Shotokan, further added Thaikyoku series of katas to make the learning of katas still easier.
  The other katas of Budokan are Basasi Dai, Basai Sho, Kanku Dai, Kanku Sho, Enpi, Hangetsu, Jion, Jitte, Jiin, Sochin, Unsu, Gankaku, Nijushiho, Gojushiho Dai, Gojushiho Sho, Chinte, Wankan and Meikyo.

  Taikyoku
  This is the most elementary kata practiced at IIMA. Developed by Master Funakoshi’s son, Gigo, Taikyoku helps new students learn basic kata principles.

  • Basic Katas:
  • 太極初段 Taikyoku Shodan – (first cause)
  
  
  • 太極二段 Taikyoku Nidan – (Second cause)
  
  
  • 太極三段 Taikyoku Sandan – (Third cause)

   

  Heian
  Created relatively recently, the Heians were originally called Pinan from the Okinawan pronunciation of the Chinese word for safety. When introduced to Japan, Master Funakoshi opted to use the Japanese pronunciation Heian. Considered basic kata for beginning students.

  • 平安初段 Heian Shodan – (peaceful mind, first level)
  
  
  • 平安二段 Heian Nidan – (peaceful mind, second level)
  
  
  • 平安三段 Heian Sandan – (peaceful mind, third level)
  
  
  • 平安四段 Heian Yondan – (peaceful mind, fourth level)
  
  
  • 平安五段 Heian Godan – (peaceful mind, fifth level)

   

  Tekki
  Originally known in Okinawa as Naihanchi, the katas were renamed by Master Funakoshi upon its introduction to Japan to reflect the strength exhibited with kiba-dachi. Rich in fighting techniques, the Tekki family offers a plethora of close combat techniques.

  • 鉄騎初段 Tekki Shodan – (iron horse riding, first level)
  
  
  • 鉄騎弐段 Tekki Nidan – (iron horse riding, second level)
  
  
  • 鉄騎参段 Tekki Sandan – (iron horse riding, third level)

   

  Advanced Katas :

  • Bassai Dai (to penetrate a fortress – big)
    The strong techniques of this kata emphasize hip movement. Some resemble a battering ram being used against fortress walls.
  • Bassai Sho (to penetrate a fortress – small)
    This kata was derived from Bassai-Dai. It has a similar performance line.
  • Kanku Dai (to view the sky – big)
    Most of the elements of the Heian Kata were derived from this kata. The first movement in this kata views the sky, which symbolizes the universe and shows your opponent that you are unarmed. It was Master Funakoshi’s preferred kata.
  • Kanku Sho (to view the sky – small)
    Kanku Sho was created from Kanku Dai. The movements and performance line are similar.
  • Enpi (flying swallow)
    The quick up and down movements of this kata are reminiscent of a fling swallow. Enpi is one of the oldest kata in Shotokan. Its former name was Wanshu.
  • Hangetsu (half moon)
    This kata received its name from its principal stance, hangetsu dachi (half moon stance).
  • Jion (love and goodness)
    Jion is a term in Buddhism. It is also the name of a temple in China. It uses basic stances and techniques. It is one of the most traditional kata in Shotokan.
  • Jitte (ten hands)
    The goal of this kata is to teach a student to fight against ten opponents. This is a strong kata, similar to jion and Jiin.
  • Jiin (love and shadow)
    Jiin is another term in Buddhism. It has similar techniques and performance line as Jion.
  • Sochin (strength and calm)
    The name of this kata comes from its stance (sochin dachi), a strong, rooted stance. The purpose of this kata is to teach defense against a stick. Its former name was Hakko.
  • Unsu (cloud hands)
    Unsu has several techniques that symbolize parting the clouds with open hands. It is also one of the most advanced kata of Shotokan.
  • Gankaku (crane on a rock)
    The main stance in this kata (tsuruashi dachi) resembles a crane ready to strike at its prey. The movements are supposed to simulate a fight in the narrow alleyways of Okinawa. The former name of this kata was Chinto.
  • Niju Shi Ho (twenty-four steps)
    The movements in this kata resemble waves breaking on a cliff. The former name of this kata was ni sei shi.
  • Goju Shi Ho Dai (fifty four steps – big)
    This kata is one of the most advance kata of Shotokan. Master Funakoshi called it hotaku (knocking of a woodpecker) because some of the techniques resemble a woodpecker tapping its beak against a tree.
  • Goju Shi Ho Sho (fifty four steps – small)
    This is a smaller version of Goju Shi Ho Dai. It is also one of the most advanced kata of Shotokan.
  • Chinte (rare hand)
    Chinte has a lot of circular and roundhouse techniques. These are rare and are not typical of the shortest distance between two points concept of Shotokan.
  • Wankan (king and crown)
    Wankan is the shortest kata in Shotokan.
  • Meikyo (bright mirror)
    The first movements of this kata suggest the smoothing of water to make it as calm and even as a mirror. The triangle jump at the end of this kata is said to have a secret meaning portending to a miracle.

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  The Termonology :

   

  Block (Uke – pronounced “oo-kay”) Age-uke (ah-geh-oo-kay): Upper block (Raising) Shuto-uke (shoe-toe oo-kay): Knife-hand block Uchi-uke (oo-chee oo-kay): Inside center block Gedan-barai (Geh-dahn bah-rye): Down block Soto-uke (so-toh oo-kay): Outside center block Chudan-uke (Chew-dahn oo-kay): Middle level block Jodan-uke (joe-dahn oo-kay): Upper level block Gedan-uke (geh-dahn oo-kay): Lower level block Hiza-uke (he-zah oo-kay): Knee block Juji-uke (jew-gee oo-kay): X-block Morote-uke (moe-row-the oo-kay): Augmented block Nagashi-uke (nah-gah-she oo-kay) Sweeping block Sashite-uke (sah-she-tay oo-kay): Rising hand block Teishi-uke (tay-sho oo-kay): Palm-heel block
  		Dr Dibyendu Nag
  Punch (Zuki – pronounced “zoo-key”) Age-zuki (ah-geh zoo-key): Rising punch Awase-zuki (ah-wah-say zoo-key): U-punch Choku-zuki (cho-koo zoo-key): Straight punch Chudan-zuki (chew-dahn zoo-key): Middle area punch Gyaku-zuki (gya-koo zoo-key): Reverse punch Jodan-zuki (joe-dahn zoo-key): face level punch Morote-zuki (moe-row-the- zoo-key): Double “U” punch Oi-zuki (oh-ee zoo-key): Lunge punch Tate-zuki (tah-the zoo-key): Vertical punch Teisho-zuki (tay-show zoo-key): Palm-heel punch Ura-zuki (oo-rah zoo-key): Close punch   Kick (Geri – pronounced “geh-rhee”) Ashi-Barai (ah-she bah-rye): Foot sweep Fumikomi (foo-me-koh-me): Stamping kick Keage (key-ah-geh): Snap kick Kekomi (kay-koh-me): Thrust kick Mae-geri (mah-eh geh-rhee): Front kick Mae-geri-kaege (mah-eh geh-rhee kay-ah-geh): Front snap kick Mae-geri-kakomi (mah-eh geh-rhee kay-koh-me): Front thrust kick Mae-tobi-geri (mah-eh toe-be geh-rhee): Jumping front kick Mawashi-geri (mah-wha-she geh-rhee): Round kick Ushiro-geri (oo-she row geh-rhee): Back kick Yoko-geri-kaegi (yoh-koh geh-rhee key-ah-geh): Side snap kick Yoko-geri-kekomi (yoh-koh geh-rhee key-ah-geh): Side thrust kick		A. Jothi Ramalingam

   

   

  Strike (Uchi – pronounced “oo-chee”)

  • Empi-uchi (en-pee oo-chee): Elbow strike
  • Haishu-uchi (hi-shoo oo-chee): Back hand strike
  • Haito-uchi (hi-toe oo-chee): Ridge-hand strike
  • Ippon-ken (eep-pone ken): One-knuckle fist
  • Nukite (noo-key-teh): Spear hand
  • Kentsui-uchi (ken-tsue-ee oo-chee): Hammer fist strike
  • Shuto-uchi (shoe-toe oo-chee): Knife hand strike
  • Teisho-uchi (tay-sho oo-chee): Palm hand strike
  • Uraken-uchi (oo-rah-ken oo-chee): Back fist strike

   

  Stance (Dachi – pronounced “dah-chee”)

  • Fudo-dachi (foo-dough dah-chee) Rooted stance
  • Hachiji-dachi (hah-chee-gee dah-chee): Open leg stance
  • Hangetsu-dachi (hahn-geh-tsue dah-chee): Half-moon stance
  • Heiko-dachi (hay-koh dah-chee): Parallel stance
  • Kamae (kah-may): Sparring posture
  • Kiba-dachi (key-bah dah-chee): Side stance (horse stance)
  • Kokutsu-dachi (koe-koo-tsu dah-chee): Back stance
  • Kosa-dachi (koe-sah dah-chee): Crossed legged stance
  • Neko-ashi-dachi (neh-koh ah-she-dah-chee): Cat stance
  • Sanchin-dachi (san-chin dah-chee): Hour-glass stance
  • Shizentai (she-zen dah-chee): Natural position
  • Sochin-dachi (so-chin dah-chee): Diagonal straddle-leg stance
  • Teiji-dachi (the-gee dah-chee): T stance
  • Zenkutsu-dachi (zen-koo-tsue dah-chee): Front stance

   

  Numbers

  • Ichi (ih-chee): One
  • Ni (nee): Two
  • San (sahn): Three
  • Shi (she): Four
  • Go (go): Five
  • Roku (roo-koo): Six
  • Shichi (Shih-chee): Seven
  • Hachi (Hah-chee): Eight
  • Ku (koo): Nine
  • Ju (joo): Ten

   

  General Terms

  • Budo (boo-doh): Martial way
  • Bunkai (bun-kye): Applications
  • Chudan (chew-dahn): Chest area
  • Dan (dahn): Black belt rank
  • Do (doh): Way/path
  • Dojo (doh-joh): Training area
  • Domo Arigato Gozai-mashita (doh-moh ah-ree-gah-toe go-zye-mah-she-tah) Thank you very much (past)
  • Gasshuku (gas-shoe-koo) Summer camp
  • Gedan (geh-dahn): Lower body area
  • Gi (ghee): Uniform
  • Gohan-kumite (goh-hon koo-mih-tay): Five step sparring
  • Hai (hi): Yes
  • Hajime (hah-zhim-ay): Begin
  • Hidari (he-dah-rhee): Left
  • Hombu-Dojo (hohm-boo doh-joh): Dojo headquarter
  • Ippon kumite (eep-pohn koo-me-teh): One step sparring
  • Jiyu ippon (jye-oo ih-pon): Free one step sparring
  • Jiyu-kumite (gee-you koo-me-teh): Free sparring
  • Jodan (joh-dahn): Face area
  • Kamae (kah-mah-eh): Sparring posture
  • Karate (kah-rah-teh): Empty hand
  • KarateKa (kah-rah-teh-kah): Karate student
  • Kata (kah-tah): Form
  • Ki (key): Mind, Spirit, Energy
  • Kiai (key-aye): Focusing shout
  • Kihon (key-hohn): Basic technique
  • Kihon kumite (key-hohn koo-me-teh): Basic sparring
  • Kime (key-may): Focus of power
  • Kumite (koo-me-teh): Sparring
  • Kyu (kyoo): White/Brown belt Rank
  • Mae (mah-eh): Front
  • Makiwara (mah-key-wha-rha): Punching board
  • Mawate-te (mah-wha-tay): Turn around
  • Migi (me-ghee): Right
  • Ohayo Gozaimasu (oh-ha-yoh go-zye-mah-soo): Good morning
  • Onegai-shimasu (oh-nih-guy-she-mah-soo): Please teach me
  • Osu (oh-soo): Greeting
  • Oyasumi nasai (oh-yah-soo-me nah-sigh): Good night
  • Rei (rey): Bow
  • Sanbon kumite (san-bohn koo-me-teh): Three step sparring
  • Seiza (say-zah): Sitting position
  • Sempai (sehm-pye): Senior student
  • Sensei (sehn-seh-ee): Instructor
  • Shizen-tai (she-zen tah-ee): Natural position
  • Tai sabaki (tye sah-bah-key): Body movement
  • Waza (wah-zah): Technique
  • Yame (yah-may): Stop
  • Yoi (yoy): Ready
  • Zanshin (zahn-shin): Following through technique
  You can watch the basic katas in the following links to You Tube.
  
  

  Training Procedure

  The Karate training involves three stages namely, Kihon, Kata and Kumite. Kihon is the basic training in which a student has to learn various attacking movements like punch, open hand strike, kicks etch and also different blocking movements and practice them to perfection. This is like learning alphabets while learning a new language. Later a combination of these punches, blocks and kicks are introduced to improve power, balance and coordination in movements
  
  
   Kata is a prearranged sequence of movements comprising of various hand and foot techniques. It is an imaginary fight sequence with attackers from all four directions. By practicing the Kata to perfection, the student improves speed and power in his techniques and coordination in his movements. Basic Katas are very simple, but they get complicated as the student moves up in his belt grade. Each Kata has a name of its own. Beginners have to learn two Katas namely 'Thai Kyo Ku Shodan' and 'Thai Kyo Ku Sandan'. After that one Kata each has to be learnt for every belt stage. The basic Katas are Heian Shodan, Heian Nidan, Heian Sandan, Heian Yondan, Heian Godan, Tekki Shodan, Tekki Nidan, Tekki Sandan and Basal Dai. Perfection in Kata is considered very important in Karate training.
  
  
  Kumite or Sparring is the practical application of the blocks, punches and kicks on a partner. Here the student learns how to attack and effectively block an attack by the partner. In the beginning pre arranged attack and defence movements may be taught. This is called as one step sparring (Ippon Kumite). In free sparring (Jiyu Kumite), the movements are not planned, and the student can use any attack and defence movements. However, to prevent casualties, various safety rules are followed in sparring. Attacks can be made only on the region below the neck and above the belt. Some dangerous striking and kicking techniques are also forbidden in sparring.
  
  
  In general, the basic Karate training is aimed at perfecting the attacking and blocking movements, and improving the speed and power in them. In actual combat situations, there is no time to think and act, and movements must come in reflex action. For that, it is necessary to practice every movement, thousands of times.
  
  
  EXERCISES: The various physical exercises done in Karate class are for enhancing the performance of the techniques of Karate. In every class a set of warm up exercises are done to loosen up the muscles before the actual Karate training. There are many other exercises which your instructor will give you from time to time which are for stretching and strengthening the muscles. It is important to do these exercises whole heartedly. Karate exercises are not muscle building exercises.
  
  
  MEDITATION: Every Karate session begins and ends with a prayer or meditation. This is a form of mental exercise in which students sit in a particular position and concentrate their minds on any one object of their choice. The meditation, if properly done, relieves stress and improves concentration and memory power.
  
  
  KIAI: Kiai is the shout or cry uttered by Karate students while executing Karate techniques. Ki-ai is uttered by inhaling sharply, tightening the abdominal muscles and uttering a shrill cry while exhaling. Kiai gives additional power to the techniques and also helps to put the opponent off guard for a moment.
  
  BELT SYSTEM
  A Karate student's skill or the period through which he has undergone training is indicated by the colour of the belt he/she wears. They are also designated by KYU or Rank in the descending order from 9th  to 1st . A Karate student has to undergo a grading test for promotion to the higher belt or Kyu, when he has completed the required training period and has achieved the required to the satisfaction of the Instructor. Belt system varies from style to style, but the system followed by Budokan is as follows.
  
  BELT                         KYU                 MIN. TRAINIG PERIOD
  White                        Starting                4 months
  Yellow                      9th Kyu                4 months
  Green                       8th Kyu                 4 months
  Orange                     7th Kyu                 5 months
  Blue                          6th Kyu                 5 months
  Purple                       5th Kyu                 6 months
  Brown IV                   4th Kyu                 6 months
  Brown III                   3rd Kyu                 8 months
  Brown II                    2nd Kyu                8 months
  Brown I                     1st Kyu                12 months
  Black I                      Shodan                24 months
   
  There are ten degrees in Black Belt 1st to 10th. The 10th degree Black Belt is equivalent to red belt and only the Grand Master or the head of a style can wear it.

• Grandmaster
  
  

  
  
  

  
  
  

  Some FAQs
  
  

  Q:How long it takes to learn Karate ?
  A: Karate learning is an infinite process. There is no end to learning. However, the time it takes to build up the self confidence to take on any adversary, depends on the individual himself. On an average, 2 years are required to get a fairly good knowledge of self defence tactics.
  
  Q: What is the right age to start Karate training ?
  A: Nowadays children start learning Karate in school itself. But the right age to start is around 10 years. If you start too early, your progress may not be good enough in later stages. Anyway, below 6 is definitely no no.
  
  Q: Can women of any age take up karate?
  A: Of course ! Karate is more essential to women than men. Some women are worried that Karate would give them muscular body. But rest assured. Karate exercises are not muscle building exercises. They tone up your body. These exercises are great for women !
  
  Q: Do we have to eat non vegetarian food ?
  A: Like any sport, karate also demands a great protein intake. But non-vegetarian diet is not a must. You can get the same protein intake from vegetarian diet also.
  
  Q: Do we have to break tiles & bricks to learn karate ?
  A: Breaking tiles and bricks is done only in Karate Shows and demonstrations in order to show the strength and power in Karate strikes and kicks. It not required to break tiles in Karate Class. It is not necessary to harden your body parts also.
  
  Q: Is Karate training dangerous for kids ?
  A: Nowadays Karate has become a completely safe sport much safer than football or kabbaddi. The new sport rules make it mandatory for participants to wear all protective gears.