Your Resources

***New material included below - Te Sabaki and Ken Sabaki sets***

This page contains lessons and information required by those who have achieved their 3rd kyu (Brown belt ) and are progressing towards their 2nd kyu - first black stripe. The material below is much of what you will need to know for your next grading. Below that you will find video lessons and In Focus sessions covering a wide range of topics specifically designed for your current level. You are encouraged to keep practicing all your kata and drills regularly.

Sanseiru

Sanseiru literally means number 36 or 36 hands. The number 108 is an important number in Buddhist teachings.  Because karate traces its roots back to Buddhism, the number 108 figures prominently in the symbolism associated with karate, particularly the Goju Ryu. A number of kata  take their names from numbers related to 108. Kata Suparinpei literally translates to 108. Kata Seipai relates to 18 hands. All are factors of the number 108.

Otsuka Sensei  believed the number 36 may also have had to do with 36 vital points. In Chinese martial arts teaching it is generally agreed that there are 108 vital points.

This kata develops low kicks and double hand techniques and practices focusing attention in different directions.

NIFAINCHI SHODAN

This kata is required to move to 3rd kyu (Brown belt). In addition to this kata you will also need to be proficient in Basic Sparring sets 1, 2, 3 and 4. in order to achieve 3rd kyu.

Kata Naifunchi Shodan is the first of three Naifunchi kata and was included in the Goju Kensha karate syllabus by Ohtsuka Tadahiko. It is a kata that has been adopted by many styles of karate and is sometimes referred to as Naihanchi or Tekki. The name Naifanchi reflects Okinawan pronunciation while Naihanchi is more the Japanese pronunciation. Whilst the kata is linear, moving side to side, the techniques can be applied against attackers at any angle. The side to side movements build up the necessary balance and strength for fast footwork and body shifting. The kata also develops effective hip movement.

The oldest known reference to Naihanchi are in the books of Motobu Choki. It is believed to originated in China.

Sabaki Sets

Sabaki sets introduce some important Goju Ryu principles. These sets provide guidance on the concept of “Sen”. Sen relates to the concept of distance and timing and or seizing the initiative. Sen is a Japanese term that means before, or ahead. “Sen” (先) roughly translates to “before”.

In the context of Sabaki sets, you might think of Sen as your intended strategy in response to your opponent’s attack. Sabaki can mean to dispose of a troublesome situtaion.

There are three types of Sen typically referred to in Goju Ryu.

  • Sen-no-sen - Attacking your opponent’s set-up before they can move

  • Go-no-Sen - Nullify your opponent’s attack then respond with your own attack

  • Ken-no-sen - This tactic is based on defeating an attacker before the threat has ever been launched, minimising the chance of the attack actually eventuating.

There are four Sabaki sets in our practice

  1. Te Sabaki - Te - meaning hand

  2. Ken Sabaki - Ken - meaning fist

  3. Keri Sabaki - Keri - meaning kick

  4. Ashi Sabaki - Ashi - meaning foot

These sets focus on the concepts of

  • Block and counter in one movement

  • Break your opponent’s balance

  • Practicing accurate distancing and penetration

  • Practicing perfect timing

Te Sabaki

Ken Sabaki

Basic Sparring Sets

Basic sparring sets are designed to help students to develop sparring skills using set attacks and defences. They provide the opportunity to put your basic block, punches and kicks to the test in a controlled and planned way. It is important for students to get used to both the attack and defence components of these drills.

Basic Sparring Set 1

Basic Sparring Set 2

SAIFA

This kata is required to move to 4th kyu (Green belt with 2 brown stripes). The word Saifa may be interpreted as "tearing". A key theme of this kata is the use of single arm techniques including blacks and strikes. Saifa uses a wide variety of strikes and lends itself to defence against multiple attacks. 

KATA TENSHO

This kata is required in order to achieve 5th Kyu - Green Belt 1 Brown Stripe. Tensho is one of two original Goju Kata, the other being Sanchin. Where Sanchin is considered a hard (Go) kata, Tensho highlights softer (Ju) aspects of Goju Karate. The breathing is soft, smooth and short.

Eight Second Kata

The eight second kata is really a drill rather than a kata, but as its name suggest it is short an meant to be done quickly. It is required to attain your 5th kyu grading.

SANCHIN

This kata is required to achieve your 6th kyu or Green Belt. Sanchin is one of two original Goju Kata and is partner to Tensho. This kata highlights the Hard or (Go) aspect of Goju Karate. When performing this kata the entire body is tensed. The only stance is Sanchin Dachi (Hour Glass stance) and name Sanchin Dachi actually comes from this kata. Contolled breathing is also important in this kata. Inhaling represents softness while exhaling represents hardness.

GECKISAI SHO

This kata is required to achieve your 7th kyu or Blue Belt with 2 green stripes. This kata is similiar in form to Gekisai dai but focuses on short stances and blocking techniques well suited to defence at close range. Like Gekisai dai, it was developed by Chogun Miyagi in the 1940’s to offer simplified kata designed to consolidate basic techniques.

GEKISAI DAI

The name of this kata means “Big Break” and this refers to the large nature of the techniques it teaches. It was developed by Chojun Miyagi who felt that more advanced kata were too difficult to learn for beginners.

Tenshin Ho

The basic movements in Tenshin Ho help develop skills in the 4 main blocks in combination with middle punches and shifting forwards, backwards and sideways .

Kihon

Kihon is a Japanese word meaning "basics" or "fundamentals. The practice and mastery of kihon is essential for both beginners and advanced students.

Kumite (Sparring)

Sports Karate Scoring

Sports Karate Rules and Scoring

WKF Rules (detailed WKF Rules)

Karate Stances

  • Seiza - Formal kneeling position

  • Heisoku dachi - Inside of feet together

  • Musubi dachi - Heels touching toes apart

  • Heiko dachi - Feet side by side and parallel - shoulder width stance

  • Hachiji Dachi - Open leg stance

  • Kiba dachi - Feetside by side - toes out slightly shoulder width at heels

  • Shiko dachi - Horse riding stance

  • Sanchin dachi - Hour glass stance

  • Zenkutsu dachi - Lunging stance

  • Han zenkutsu dachi - Half lunging stance

  • Neko ashi dachi - Cat stance

  • Renoji dachi - Comes from the Japanese character Renoji (レ )

  • Seisan dachi - Natural walking stance

  • Kosa dachi - Cross over stance (Nufunchi)

  • Fudo Dachi - Back weighted stance similiar to Kiba dachi , but weight is on the rear leg.