Syllubus

The karate program is based upon a 10 kyu system which will take a minimum of three years to complete (based upon training three times per week).  Students at Dragon Dojo may take four or more years to achieve sufficient proficiency in the curriculum in order to test for Sho Dan (black belt).

Students will be taught the kihon, or punching and kicking basics first, then move onto kata, first empty hand and then traditional weapons kata.

Kihon (基本, きほん) is a Japanese term meaning “basics” or “fundamentals.” The term is used to refer to the basic techniques that are taught and practiced as the foundation of Isshin Ryu.  The practice and mastery of kihon is essential to all advanced training, and includes the practice of correct body form and breathing, while practicing basics such as stances, punches, kicks, and blocks. Kihon is not only practicing of techniques, it is also the karateka fostering the correct spirit and attitude at all times.

Kihon techniques tend to be practiced often, in many cases during each practice session. They are considered fundamental to mastery and improvement of all movements of greater complexity.

Upper body basics: Te no bu

1. Seiken oi tsuki – right foot forward, right hand straight punch
2. Jodan oi tsuki – right foot forward, right hand upper cut
3. Seiken gyak tsuki – right foot forward, left hand reverse punch
4. Jodan gyak tsuki – right foot forward, left hand reverse upper cut
5. Jodan uke, seiken gyak tsuki – right foot back, left hand upper-section forearm block, right hand reverse punch
6. Chudan uke, seiken gyak tsuki – right foot back, left hand mid-section block, right hand reverse punch
7. Gedan barai, seiken gyak tsuki – right foot back, low-section block, right hand reverse punch
8. Jodan uki, go den juk tsuki – right foot back, left hand upper-section forearm block, five consecutive punches (starting with the reverse right hand)
9. Chudan uke, go den juk tsuki – right foot back, left hand mid-section forearm block, five consecutive punches (starting with the reverse right hand)
10. Gedan barai, go den juk tsuki – right foot back, left hand low-section forearm block, five consecutive punches (starting with the reverse right hand)
11. Jodan tegata uke, jodan gyak tsuki – right foot back, left knife hand overhead block, right hand reverse uppercut
12. Tegata barai nukite – right foot back, left knife hand mid-section block, right spear hand strike to solar plexis
13. Shuto uchi, shuto uchi – right foot forward, right knife hand low block, left knife hand strike to jaw
14. Ura uchi, seiken gyak tsuki – right foot back, left hand deflection, back fist and right hand reverse punch
15. O-uchi, o-uchi – right foot forward, two roundhouse punches to mid-section
16. Hige nogata tsuki – right foot back, cat stance, right elbow strike

Kihon: Lower body basics

1. Mae geri – front snap kick
2. Hiza geri – knee kick (practiced both out & up)
3. Shoba geri – side pivot kick
4. Mae konate – heel thrust kick
5. Ushiro geri – back kick
6. Shoba konate – cross kick
7. Sokuto geri – forward angle kick
8. Yoko geri – side kick
9. O toshi geri – forward angle squat kick

Kata (型 or 形, literally: “form”) is a Japanese word describing detailed choreographed patterns of movements practised either solo or in pairs (bunkai). Kata can be thought of as a way to advance the karateka’s repertoire of fighting techniques, and is not meant to teach the student techniques in sequence. The kata is made up of many individual techniques joined together for the purpose of mastering through memorization, visualization and comprehension.

The practitioner is generally counselled to visualize the enemy attacks, and his responses, as actually occurring, and karateka are often told to “read” a kata, to explain the imagined events. The study of the meaning of the movements is referred to as the bunkai, meaning analysis, of the kata.

Open hand kata:

Seisan
Seiunchin
Naihanchi
Wansu
Sanchin
Chinto
Ku San Ku
Sun Nu Su

Weapons kata:

Sai:
Chotoku Kyan no Sai
Ku San Ku no Sai
Chatan Yara no Sai

Hama Higa no Tuifa

Tokomeni no Kun
Urashi no Kun
Shishi no kun

Kotekitai: forearm conditioning training
1) Punch and chop
2) Punch, block, chop
3) Kake-uke (hook block) pushing hands