Karate is a system of self defence and physical culture originally developed in Okinawa and Japan . The word means ‘Kara’ empty and ‘Te’ hand, symbolising that its practitioners are unarmed, but use their hands and feet as striking weapons. There are several different types of Karate, they use slightly different training methods and place different emphasis on issues such as speed, strength and the range of techniques – thus some are described as ‘fast’ others as ‘strong’. Shotokan is a style that emphasises a balanced development of all these aspects, taught within a system, which builds confidence and self-control. our Training is conducted within an environment based on certain Japanese cultural practices. Shotokan was originated by an Okinawan teacher, Funakoshi Gichin, who introduced it to Japan in 1922, where it was developed extensively by the Japanese Master Nakayama. Because of this development there have been relatively few changes since then, It was brought to the UK in the early 1960’s by visiting Japanese instructors, it has spread to become the most widely practiced style of Karate throughout the World.

The Karate Union of Great Britain  (KUGB)

The KUGB is our parent karate association it is a democratic body controlled by its membership and operates under an approved constitution. All positions on its committees are elected at the Annual General meeting by its members. Its fully audited accounts are presented annually for approval by the AGM.

It consists of over 400 clubs, all of which practice Shotokan Karate. It was established in 1966 as a democratic and non-profit making organisation for the development of Shotokan Karate and is affiliated to European and World Shotokan Karate Bodies. It has clubs established in many Sports Centres, Universities and Schools.

It is by far the largest and most successful single-style association in Great Britain with currently almost 11,000 members who enjoy many benefits, including the following:

 

It hold regular FREE:-  Instructor courses

                                         Black belt courses

                                         All grade courses

                                         Referee and Judges courses

                                         Squad courses

                        plus         many subsidised courses

                                         National and regional championships

The KUGB has worked with many establishment bodies over the years to develop standards and guidelines to help ensure that its instructors teach in a safe and professional manner. These include:
 

• A Karate syllabus for GCSE and A level in Physical Education approved by the AQA, Edexcel or OCR Examining Boards
• A tailored First Aid approved by the Red Cross
• Approved Guidelines for its Instructors with the Open College Network - OCN
• Approved Guidelines for Teaching Children with the Child Protection in Sport Unit
• Registered with the Criminal Records Bureau providing the facility for its members to be police-checked.

KUGB Instructors

KUGB clubs are under the instruction of qualified Black Belts who are provided with the opportunity to attend numerous free training courses dealing with all aspects of Karate and other skills such as first-aid, club administration, instruction skills (for all levels and ages), nutrition, anatomy and flexibility. Standards are maintained by the KUGB Technical Committee whose members range from 6th to 7th Dan.

 

Can anyone practice Karate

Karate can be practiced by Men Women and Children, our club excepts children from six years, on a trail basis, we prefer students to join us from the age of eight. Anyone who is in reasonable health can train, you do not need to be fit to start that should come as you learn.

 

Benefits

The concentration and commitment required to train help to build a strong and confident character, improvement to Self-confidence, Self-esteem and Self-awareness should also become evident, the hard physical training required to reach a high level of skill in Karate help promote overall good health and fitness.

There is a 'Dojo Kun' a training code, which not only ensures a disciplined training environment, but serves as a tool for moulding behaviour, so that a true Karateka will fight with words and only fight physically as a last resort.

Many Parents and Teachers have reported on improvements in the behaviour of children who train within the KUGB system. This is because of the emphasis that we place on good manners and discipline.

 

Training

 

Our Karate training is structured into three main sections:-

KIHON: -       Basic techniques

KATA :-        Set combinations of techniques

KUMITE:-     Sparring

Each section has a range of complexity to suit the different grade levels. Kumite will be introduced to you as basic blocking and counters, this will ultimately lead to free style fighting.

Our Karate is accepted as a subject for both GCSE and A Level in Physical education.

Sensei Trevor Jarrett 5th Dan is an approved accessor, and will be happy to liaise with teachers as to the requirements for GCSE and A level instruction and examination

 

 

Grading - measurement of progress

Our club holds gradings every three months at the Tiverton club, with visiting Grading examiner Sensei Andy Sherry 8th Dan.

The KUGB grading structure

There are nine grades to pass at a minimum interval of three months or 24 lessons between them, Starting as a white belt you will progress to Orange after your first successful grading, then Red, Yellow, Green, Purple, Purple and White and three levels of Brown. You must then train regularly for a minimum of Six months before you can take your first Dan Black belt, With your instructors permission. So it takes a minimum of three to three and a half years of dedicated regular training to reach black belt standard.

The KUGB has a National Grading structure so you cannot be examined (graded) by your own instructor, there are about 10 grading examiners nationally, thus keeping the standard of grades consistently high throughout the country.

Achieving a KUGB Black Belt
There are 10 levels of Black belt or Dan grades, starting at 1st Dan. Students can achieve 1st Dan standard in 3 to 4 years, with regular training and instruction. It then takes a minimum of 2 more years to achieve 2nd Dan, 3 years to 3rd Dan etc - which means that all Technical Committee members - all 6th Dan and above - will have at least 25 years Karate experience.

Black Belts gradings are held in different areas of the country about once a month, at FREE training courses funded by the KUGB.