The Okinawan Karate Jutsu which gave rise to Karate-do had no need for grades of competence since it was a fighting system in which you either excelled or failed. Master Chojun Miyagi made this point succinctly when he said that, if a student was good enough, he did not need a mark of competence such as a coloured belt, if he was good enough he wouldn`t get one anyway.

Nevertheless, it was considered appropriate to institute a series of examinations, conducted at regular intervals during training, with the object of evaluating the student`s competence and identifying it by means of a coloured belt.

At first there were only three colours of belt: The white belt was used to denote the novice, the green belt, the intermediate, the brown belt, the advanced student. Later on, additional colours were added as the number of grading examinations increased. A typical progression of belt colours is given below:

 

10th Kyu     Red

9th Kyu      Yellow

8th Kyu      Orange

7th Kyu      Green

6th Kyu      Blue

5th Kyu      Purple

4th Kyu      Purple/Brown Stripe

3rd Kyu      Brown

2nd Kyu     Brown/2 Red Stripes

1st Kyu      Brown/ Black Stripe

1st Dan      Black Belt, 1st Level

2nd Dan     Black Belt, 2nd Level

 

There may be as few as six, or as many as ten Kyu grades in any Ryu. In order to pass from one to another, the student takes comprehensive examination based upon the techniques he has learned thus far. Those required for each grade are listed in the syllabus of the Ryu. The average time which must elapse between gradings is three months. In the case of the brown belt six months must elapse between second and first Kyu and first dan.

The black belt is a mark of competence and is usually attained with five years of joining the club. There are stages within the black belt known as the dan grades and as in Kyu grades, examinations are governed by the length of time a grade has been held. The following table is that of the world union of karatedo organisations, the governing body for world karate:

 

2nd Dan      1st Dan must be held for two years

3rd Dan      2nd Dan must be held for three years

4th Dan      3rd Dan must be held for four years

5th Dan      4th Dan must be held for five years

6th Dan      5th Dan must be held for six years

7th Dan      6th Dan must be held for seven years

8th Dan      7th Dan must be held for eight years

9th Dan      8th Dan must be held for nine years

10th Dan    9th Dan must be held for ten years

 

THEREFORE, a person who has gained his first dan at the age of 18 would, assuming that he took and passed all of the intermediate grades, become a ninth dan at the age of 62.

A tenth dan is the highest grade that can be awarded within a Ryu. The founder, or Kancho, may take this grade. Some founders consider that are beyond grades in their Ryu.

Seventh and eight dans are allowed to wear a belt that alternates red and white banded, while ninth and tenth dans wear all red belts. Since the red belt is often used to denote the complete novice, the masters return to red symbolizes the principle of karate, that he has` forgotton `all techniques and returned to the beginning.

With the grade held goes a specific title. Above sixth dan, the title Shihan ( synonym= hanshi ) is used. Between third and sixth dan the title Sensei applies. Below third dan the correct title Sempai. If, however, a first or second dan operates his own dojo, then it is correct to call him sensei. The corps of black belts withina Ryu are known as yudansha. Advancements in grade up to and including the rank of third dan are taken by examination against the syllabus of the Ryu. Above that level, they are conferred in reoginition of diligent training. The Karateka carries a record of his training in the form of a licence book. Wach time he advances a grade the book is endorsed accordingly..

 

Karate is like boiling water, if you do not heat it constantly, it will cool

 

Karate begins with a courtesy and ends with a courtesy

 

A, Hand to hand combat
B, Special Weapons
C, Special Tactics
D, Ryukyu deadly karate strikes.
E, Basic stick fighting for combat
 
SMALL STICK " Eda Koppa " Atemi - Waze "
 
Strikes hold for control..
 
Straight Baton With Proper Training
 
An officer can learn to use the straight baton in a variety of ways it could be used to shatter an assilants kneecap or to assist in a simple takedown.
To disarm a violent knife wielding attacker.
 
The tonfa
 
This weapon has enjoyed a tremendous increase over the past few years, it offers a greater retention of techniques than does the baton.
 
Special Tactics, almost every single item can be used as an effective weapon, what is needed is knowledge, the officer must be able to instantly regonise this and use it to his advantage.
 
The bone breaker
 
This amazing little weapon of self-defence must be considered one of the most economical totally effective methods of protection. Ryukyu karate strikes forms of a combined self-defence, no effort has been spared to do a practical course on self-defence, the skill and knowledge that you will gain from ryukyu will stand you in good stead. Ask yourself what is the essence of self-defence..
 

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT AGAINST SOMEONE WITH A KNIFE

COLD STEEL IS A RECIPE FOR DEATH



1, First thing to realise, there is no defence against a complete surprise attack with the intent to kill, no martial arts in the world will save you period.

2, Remember its your blood of funeral

3, Never cross your feet in actual combat

4, Keep weapons and hands in conspicuously at the ready

5, Heavy clothing resistant to slashing attacks, or thrust from short blade

6, Throw dirt, loose change, a coat or even furniture, you could even spit in his face, jab the legs of a chair in his face drive him into anything that will unbalance him

7, Low kicks to the shins the moment he moves forward without exposing yourself too much

8, Once his initial attack is halted immediately move to deliver disabling blows to the eyes, throat and testicles

9, If you have a club, baton, stick or flashlight then you are on better terms, you have extra arm distance

10, Look confident, never exhibit fear

11, Keep it simple, make every attack simple and direct

12, Focus on the enemy, never take your eyes or mind off your enemy, awareness is always the first line of defence

13, Be deceptive, never give away your intentions to the enemy, strike without telegraphing

14, You are a stick of dynamite when you move explode

15, Think like a preditor, stalk to gain or invade, safe distance, image him for movement, position yourself accordingly then attack

16, Don`t be reluctant to pick up an object to use as a weapon if the situation warrants it

17, When forced into a violent encounter create the highest degree of pain in the shortest amount of time

18, Dodging exercises should be designed for you to get out of the way, stay balanced and position yourself to counter with speed

19, When dealing with an attacker with a weapon realise it is the attacker you are fighting and not the weapon

20, Anger and fear will prevent you from moving with great speed

21, Your blow should be felt before it is seen

22, Both speed and skill are handicapped by tension

23, To react with speed and accuracy maintain a clear mind and dont anticipate the enemy's attack

24, The only thing that goes through my mind is how quick i can disarm the enemy

25, Speed is often the difference between first and dead in a real life battle

26, There is no magic to this, by simply practicing freely in the manner outlined today your subconcious will teach you more useful information than if you had crammed your brain with fifty fancy knife techniques

27, Be careful when working out with a partner so you dont injure each other, work only as fast as you are capable of

 

SHIHAN STEVE HAS ENCOUTERD CLOSE ENCOUNTERS

High roundhouse kick (jodan mawashi geri) The roundhouse kick (Mawashi Geri) is one of the most popular of the karate kicks. It can be used to attack at any level from the knee to the head. When performed correctly, the roundhouse kick can be devastatingly fast and effective in strikes to the ribs and head. In sparring tournaments, many knock-outs are the result of a good roundhouse kick to the head.

How to perform a high roundhouse kick (jodan mawashi geri)

1. Begin by standing in a middle front stance. A strong stance is particularly important for a good kick as you must have a stable platform from which to launch your kick.
2. Propel the knee forward by using your toes and heel like a spring. Once the knee points at the target, snap the leg forward from the knee. You can give the kick power by rotating your hip and your support leg. Strike the target with the ball of the foot. For strikes to the neck or thigh you can use the instep with toes pointed down.
3. Practice your roundhouse kicks low until you perfect them before you attempt the higher kicks

1, Never change what works.
2, Grasp whatever you can, be open minded about everything.
3, Learn what you want to learn,but never close your mind to something different.
4, Knowing yourself helps you to know others.
5, Never stop learning - never limit yourself to what you think you may attain.
6, To be in 100% shape, you must first be in 100% mental shape.
7, Respect your judgement- remember you cannot fool yourself.
8, Take defeat as a process of learning.
9, Never degrade yourself by thinking negativley.
10, If you lose figure out why you lost and find the defences- which will help you next time.
11, There is no time for being old fashioned- one must progress.
12, Learn to train your mind to be ahead of your body.
13, Beat the pain mentally and you can go on forever.
14, Don`t try to be as good as somebody - strive to be better.
15, Winning isn`t everything - its the only thing.
 

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1, Keep fit, physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
2, Be deceptive, never give away to the opponent of enemy your intentions.
3, Develop an instinct - finish an opponent of enemy off.
4, Keep calm - cool - relaxed, learn to control body tension.
5, Look confident, never exhibit fear to your opponent or enemy.
6, Keep it simple, make every attach simple and direct.
7, Think of nothing, think neither of winning or losing - just do it.
8, Focus on the enemy, never take youe eyes of mind off the opponent.
9, Train in Versatility, be good with both hands and feet, left and right.
10, Be explosive, exercise total commitment in every attach and counter attack.

This amazing little weapon of self -defence, must be considered one of the most economical-totally effective methods of protection available.
 
Considered the OLD MANS tool of self-defence, the snapping short stick is a totally deceptive weapon. Approximately 11 inches in length and 1 inch in diameter, and made of oak, the bone breaker is used in short shocking strikes against bony portions of the anatomy and for paralyzing nerve centres. Once contact is made on bony protrusions of the enemy`s anatomy, the bone breaker shatters the bone, much as rock hitting a window-shield of a car at high speed. The length and width of the weapon form a tool similar to a turning fork, creating vibrations as the oak stick makes contact with another object. These vibrations enter the bone and create a shattering effect upon contact, totally disabling the attackers portion of his anatomy as it enters your sphere of defence.
The hands cord attached to the butt of the weapon creates a release-retraction method, not available in other methods of self-defence , such as the " Fan " or " Yawari Stick ". The bonebreaker can be snapped out and retracted quickly by use of the cord attached to the weapon and wrapped over the thumb and outside of the weapon-hand, it creates an added snap and shock to the initial strikes.
 
1, Grasping the stick
2, Blocking
3, Striking
4, Combination's and Take-downs
4, Chocking and Control
 
This fascinating weapon is extremely deceptive, and great caution should be taken during its training and use.
 
At close quarters in crowded or tight areas where the baton becomes restricted because of interval, the bone breaker exceeds all forms of defensive close-quarter combatives aimed at controlling the assailant.
All fighting techniques of the stick are combined with striking, kicking, joint locking and throwing of chocking.

The Cane has long been considered the " Gentleman`s " weapon for self-defense. Often carried by the old and disabled, the cane has been a sign of weakness, and in this deception alone lies a great advantage. Years ago, in the ancient times of Korea and Asia, the noble class was aware of this advantage for self-defense, so they developed a series of techniques for defense, physical training and exercise. Thus a sign of weakness and deception became a weapon and vehicle of strength for the old and noble.
 
Im actuality the cane is an extremely dangerous weapon, and the curvature of the handle is an excellent tool for blocking, trapping and controlling attacks to the limbs. The hook of the cane provides an excellent point to apply pressure against nerve centers and for chocking, tearing or gouging.
Direct thrusts with the tip of the cane are made to vital nerve centers. Primary targets are the eyes, throat, solar plexus and groin. The blocks are utilized as strikes against bony protrusions of the anatomy, followed by a trap and throw, thus the cane becomes an excellent weapon of control and self-defense in critical situations.

A WORD ON KARATE:
 
Karate ( empty hand ) is one of the worlds most noblest and most practical martial arts, it is based on a philosophy of inner calm and balance and is currently enjoying wide popularity.The world over karate is not only a form of unarmed combat but is a way to discipline the body in order to improve. The spirit besides conditioning the body and improving speed, strength and co-ordination, karate increases ones alertness and self awareness, it also teaches confidence in ones abilities to deal with the world around him/her. There are no short cuts. Your knowledge is your strength..
 
Steve nicknamed the headhunter by the late grandmaster professor Phil Milner, Karate is my blood and Backbone..
 

A WORD ABOUT KOBUDO, STICK FIGHTING:
 
All martial arts can be both creative and destructive, used as a means of aggression they will eventually destroy the person who misuses them, used correctly they can provide a stimulating and practical training and at the same time they can be a means of education and discipline.