Get help, advice and information on all your Recreation and Sports issues. http://advice-and.info/Recreation-and-Sports/karate.htm Mon, 04 Aug 2008 15:37:25 GMT en For many people, karate refers to one style of martial arts. In their minds there is little distinction made between karate and Chinese martial arts such as Jujitsu, and Tae Kwon Do. Those who study karate will be quick to tell you that there are many significant differences. First, karate does not refer to one style of martial arts. Instead, it is a family of several different styles of martial arts. Second, although its tradition is rooted in the Chinese martial arts, Karate was developed in Okinawa, Japan. One of the four styles of Okinawan karate is Goju-ryu. The name means school of hardsoft (Goju hardsoft, Ryu school). The name refers to a technique that combines hard and soft techniques, depending on the target that is being struck. http://advice-and.info/Recreation-and-Sports/80211_Goju-ryu_Karate.html Sat, 08 Mar 2008 11:43:31 GMT If youve been a karate instructor for any length of time you will no doubt know that your success in retaining your students comes down to one key factor keeping your students highly motivated to continue training. How do you do this while still maintaining your focus on delivering a high quality program? The majority of karate clubs have a wide range of students usually starting at around age 4 and going all the way up to 74 or older. Often within this student base there are the highly-motivated and gung-ho students who would practice running up a wall backwards if you told them it would help give them the edge over their fellow club members. http://advice-and.info/Recreation-and-Sports/73808_How_Karate_Instructors_Can_Motivate_Students_In_Three_Easy_Steps.html Tue, 08 Jan 2008 10:01:45 GMT If you want to become a successful and influential instructor, you will have to become a master of not only the martial arts but also of interpersonal skills with your students. The Art of Effective Feedback will become a cornerstone of your relationships with your students and of the ultimate success of your students within your program. Practice this advice and reap the benefits, ignore it at your peril! Be sure to give feedback to students in the class on a regular basis. Try to make all feedback either positive or constructive, and avoid any negative feedback if possible. Negative feedback should only be used as a last resort when there are behavioral issues, rather than issues of poor technique; and even then, there are steps you should take before resorting to negative feedback. http://advice-and.info/Recreation-and-Sports/73806_For_Karate_Instructors_The_Art_Of_Effective_Feedback_In_Class.html Tue, 08 Jan 2008 10:01:44 GMT As a karate instructor, you no doubt understand the importance of lesson planning. Developing an effective lesson plan is of vital importance, especially for new instructors. However, even for a highly experienced instructor it does not hurt to revisit some basic lesson planning principles. There are several main components that are critical to the overall lesson content of karate at all levels. These components are: Element, which includes basic training, forms, and partner work; http://advice-and.info/Recreation-and-Sports/73785_Lesson_Planning_For_Karate_Instructors_Four_Main_Components_Of_An_Effective_Lesson_Plan.html Tue, 08 Jan 2008 10:01:45 GMT If you have been studying karate for any length of time now, you have probably come to realize many important insights from your training. From my own study of karate, I have come to notice many interesting lessons. I would like to share some of these insights with you in this article. 1. The most talented students dont always make the best instructors, nor do they even become black belts in many cases, whereas the averagely skilled but highly committed practitioner often makes it to the higher levels. http://advice-and.info/Recreation-and-Sports/73775_Personal_Observations_On_Karate_After_25_Years_Of_Training.html Tue, 08 Jan 2008 10:01:56 GMT One of the most important elements of a martial arts schools operations is the class schedule. Deciding on an appropriate and effective schedule that matches the needs of your students and your curriculum can often be a very challenging task but if this is done right then the benefits are well worth the initial effort. Have you ever had problems trying to design an effective schedule? If so, then this article is for you.Here are the six simple steps for scheduling your classes: http://advice-and.info/Recreation-and-Sports/73664_Karate_Instructors_Six_Simple_Steps_For_Scheduling_Your_Classes.html Tue, 08 Jan 2008 04:43:12 GMT Have you ever felt like you are teaching the same thing repeatedly? Have you been frustrated by using the same old practice drills every week? Do you sometimes sense that your students are getting bored or are losing interest? Often one of the biggest challenges for a martial arts instructor is coming up with different ways to present the same material and create varied lessons each week. Finding a balance between teaching the required content and making classes fun and different is not always easy. http://advice-and.info/Recreation-and-Sports/73663_Five_Simple_Tips_To_Karate_Instructors_For_Making_Each_Lesson_Different.html Tue, 08 Jan 2008 10:01:54 GMT "Hey. Wait a minute! I only just started Karate and now youre talking to me about quitting already. What do you think I am an undisciplined, unmotivated loser or what? OK, maybe youre right, maybe I shouldnt talk to you about quitting yet but I think there are some valuable lessons to be learned from the beginning about the different reasons why people quit karate. By knowing this you will know which pitfalls to avoid. http://advice-and.info/Recreation-and-Sports/73658_The_Most_Common_Reasons_Why_People_Quit_Karate.html Tue, 08 Jan 2008 10:01:58 GMT The educational system often talks about the Three Rs of Reading Writing and Arithmetic. To a casual observer, one might say that the education system was flawed from the very beginning by the fact that it cant spell! In Karate, however, we can spell, and the three Ks really are three Ks Kihon, Kata and Kumite. Lets look at each one and explain what it is. Kihon means Basics. Basics are the fundamentals of our art or style. In Karate, basics are our punches, our kicks, our blocks, our strikes and our stances. In order to build a strong foundation for our karate we must drill and practice the basics constantly. The honing of our basic technique is the very essence of our training and must be taken seriously in order to progress to a high level of skill. If we compare karate to learning a language, our kihon or karate basics are our vocabulary. http://advice-and.info/Recreation-and-Sports/73657_Kihon_Kata_And_Kumite_The_Three_Ks_Of_Karate.html Tue, 08 Jan 2008 10:02:00 GMT If you are a member of any serious martial arts school with a reputable instructor then you will have no doubt heard in class the words Be sure to practice at home. Martial arts training goes beyond the dojo. Often, this advbioce is given without any suggestions or tips on how to actually do this. How do you practice at home? How do you develop an effective training plan? How often should you practice? If you have been practicing martial arts for one year or more then you have probably made it to the intermediate ranks of your style. You are probably going to class twice a week and ideally you are also practicing at home. Here are some tips to help you develop a plan to fit into your schedule and reach your goals. http://advice-and.info/Recreation-and-Sports/73656_The_Real_Secret_To_Developing_An_Effective_Personal_Training_Plan_For_Karate.html Tue, 08 Jan 2008 10:02:00 GMT Becoming an instructor in a martial arts school is often a really exciting time because in many ways you feel like you have made it. In order to teach others you must have already mastered the basic content and now is your chance to give back your knowledge and continue the progression of your style. This is a great honor but it is not without its pitfalls. As any experienced instructor knows, teaching martial arts, and practicing martial arts, are in many ways two completely different skills. http://advice-and.info/Recreation-and-Sports/73653_Five_Common_Mistakes_That_New_Karate_Instructors_Make.html Mon, 07 Jan 2008 18:48:25 GMT There are many reasons that people first get started in the martial arts. Usually the reasons are for self-defense, health and fitness, discipline, confidence, self-control and spiritual growth among others. Most of us have heard about these benefits of the martial arts, yet despite knowing the potential rewards of karate, it is not always clear why we should stay on the path for the long term. I would like to let you know what I believe is the number one reason for you to continue with your karate practice. Before I do that let me give you a very quick rundown of my own personal karate experience. http://advice-and.info/Recreation-and-Sports/73635_The_Number_One_Reason_You_Should_Stick_With_Your_Karate_Training.html Tue, 08 Jan 2008 10:02:03 GMT So you got your kid enrolled in your local martial arts school, congratulations! This is the first step to a rewarding journey for both you and her. You probably have a few worries about what lies ahead but at the same time youre probably really excited to see your child get into the martial arts. So what equipment, uniform and gear do you need to buy for the first class -- and how much should it cost? One of the great things about the martial arts is that it doesnt cost much to get started compared to other activities. For example a set of good golf clubs can cost as much as 1000 or more. Starting soccer can lead to multiple purchases of a soccer shirt and shorts, socks and cleats, shin pads and of course a good soccer ball. Baseball and football have similar requirements. Dance and ballet can also become quite expensive with all of the different costumes and outfits for the various recitals. You want your child to look good of course so youre willing to buy whatever is necessary. But you dont know much about karate. http://advice-and.info/Recreation-and-Sports/73628_Karate_Uniform_Karate_Gear_What_Does_Your_Karate_Kid_Need_For_Her_First_Class.html Sun, 06 Jan 2008 09:16:50 GMT OK, so youve stuck with your karate training for a couple of months already. You enjoy learning all of the punches, kicks and blocks, youve learned your first form and you also know some basic partner work drills. Its time to try for your next belt and for some reason it feels like a wave of fear has suddenly come over you that is threatening your future in the martial arts. You know you have to take a belt test (also called promotion test or grading) to get the next belt and you want to be successful, but suddenly your previous fear of public speaking seems insignificant compared to the prospect of demonstrating your karate prowess in front of your instructor and fellow club members. Can you do it? Will you pass? How do you get past your fears and take the first step to success and progress up the belt ladder?If this sounds like something youve been through before or something that you are experiencing now then keep reading. http://advice-and.info/Recreation-and-Sports/73624_How_To_Get_Past_The_Fear_Of_Taking_Your_First_Karate_Belt_Test.html Sat, 05 Jan 2008 16:48:57 GMT So your child is enrolled in the martial arts, congratulations on taking a positive step for their overall growth and development. However youve noticed that karate practice is not as easy as it looks and you want to get your child to practice at home as well as in class. How do you do this without burning both you and your child out? After all you work hard all day and are probably paying good money for martial arts lessons so you naturally want your child to be successful. Here are three simple tips to get them to practice at home. http://advice-and.info/Recreation-and-Sports/73623_The_Top_3_Tips_To_Get_Your_Child_To_Practice_Karate_At_Home.html Sun, 06 Jan 2008 00:52:13 GMT A lot of people nowadays are getting into the martial arts and choosing a school without even knowing which style of martial arts the school teaches. Some schools are not totally clear on what their style is as many are practicing and teaching a hybrid mix of multiple arts. Is this a problem? Should you know which style you practice? Are clearly lineated styles even important? The easy answer to all of these questions is yes and no. Unfortunately there are hidden costs involved in choosing the wrong style of martial arts. Heres why: http://advice-and.info/Recreation-and-Sports/73484_The_Hidden_Costs_Of_Choosing_The_Wrong_Style_Of_Martial_Arts_Karate.html Tue, 08 Jan 2008 10:02:04 GMT Beginner level Karate Kids seem to be getting younger and younger nowadays. What is the right age to start the martial arts? Is your little one ready to become a karate kid? Back when I started practicing martial arts in the early 1980s in England the youngest child my local karate school would take was 8 years old. Consequently I started karate at the age of 8. I was then thrown in with the older kids and the adults and was given the option to sink or swim. http://advice-and.info/Recreation-and-Sports/73483_Is_Your_Little_One_Ready_To_Become_A_Karate_Kid.html Mon, 07 Jan 2008 00:46:36 GMT The term Mc Dojo has come to be quite popular nowadays in the various martial arts business and trade journals and is a derogatory term used to describe certain types of martial arts schools. What are these types of schools and why is this term relevant to you as someone looking to get started in the martial arts? This article will first explain what a Mc Dojo is and will then give you some advice on how to avoid joining one. As the martial arts have grown in popularity since the initial Bruce Lee craze that then lead to Jackie Chan, Steven Seagal, Jean-Claude VanDamme, The Karate Kid, and more recently the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and the Power Rangers, martial artists across the country have begun to understand the potential of the martial arts as a money-making opportunity and a viable business. http://advice-and.info/Recreation-and-Sports/73482_Is_That_Karate_School_You_Are_Thinking_Of_Joining_A_Mc_Dojo_4_Warning_Signs_That_It_Is.html Thu, 03 Jan 2008 03:11:08 GMT If youre like any good parent you no doubt enjoy spending time with your kids and sharing some quality activities with them. This may include kicking a soccer ball around the back yard, going to the local park for some pitching practice, or putting some cool music on in your front room and trying out your new hip-hop groove. However, how many actual opportunities are there for families to participate together in the same class doing something that is beneficial to all involved? The martial arts offer one such opportunity. There is a phrase used in the martial arts industry and it says that, A family that kicks together, sticks together. This saying may sound a little cheesy, but more and more families are discovering the immeasurable benefits of sharing a common bond and a common activity between parents and children. So how exactly does karate practice provide these benefits? http://advice-and.info/Recreation-and-Sports/73481_Is_Karate_Practice_A_Viable_Option_For_Your_Family.html Mon, 07 Jan 2008 04:03:54 GMT With the increase in popularity of the martial arts more and more people are searching for a good karate school and a good instructor. There are many great schools and instructors out there and unfortunately there are as many not so good. How do you tell the difference? What should you look for in a good instructor since the instructor in most cases is the school? Most prospective students think that the most important thing to look for in an instructor is content knowledge. They want their instructors karate to be dynamic, powerful and impressive in every way. This is obviously very important because there is nothing that looks worse than a black belt instructor who cant deliver the goods when it comes to content. So this quality is definitely high on the list of prerequisites. http://advice-and.info/Recreation-and-Sports/73480_What_Should_I_Look_For_In_A_Good_Karate_School_Or__Instructor.html Tue, 08 Jan 2008 10:02:05 GMT You have probably already realized that martial artists use different colored belts to designate rank. Has it always been this way? Is there a specific order to the belt colors? What about all of these stripes that you keep seeing? What do the different colors really mean? Stand by for the answers to all your questions about colored belts. Different colored belts used to designate rank are a relatively modern innovation created by Master Jigoro Kano, the founder of Judo back in the early 1900s. Master Kano felt that there should be a visual progression of the belts as a way to tell what level a practitioner was and also as a way to implement a specific hierarchy within each Judo club. http://advice-and.info/Recreation-and-Sports/73477_The_Karate_Belt_Rainbow_What_Do_The_Different_Colors_Really_Mean.html Thu, 03 Jan 2008 05:42:59 GMT