More Detailed Look at Tatsu Do Karate Training

Warm-up Exercises

TATSU DO warm up exercises typically include aerobic workout, stretching, arm and leg muscle , core muscle strengthening and stamina exercises.

Exercise	Benefit
Aerobic, jumping jacks, kicks	cardio work out, stamina
Core muscle strenghtening	Ability to withstand punch or a kick
Arm & leg strenghtening	Stronger punches & kicks
Stretching	Speed, flexibility, higher kicks
Punching and Kicking warm-ups	Techniques become automatic

Punching and Kicking Practice

It's been said Karate is 1% talent and 99% repetition. Students learn dozens of different punches, strikes and blocks. They learn to use their feet, many able to kick higher than their head. This means they can disable an attacker with either their hands or feet. Women usually have stronger legs and kicks are emphasized as one of their primary weapons. Kicks, punches and strikes are diligently practiced from white belt to black belt and beyond.

REPETITION, REPETITION, REPETITION is the key to mastering martial arts.








Kata (Forms Training)

Kata is a very important part of martial arts training. It teaches the student precision of stances, directions of motion, snap and power in techniques as well as opportunity to compete in tournament kata competition.

Beginners start with the 27 Movements Kata, then learning a new kata (or 2) for each new rank.

Ultimately, students must perform 16 kata as a part of their Black Belt test. Additional 10 kata are required for the Black Belt ranks up to 4th Degree.
See Tatsu Do Kyu Kata Videos...




Kumite (Free Style Sparring)

Kumite is the closest students come to simulating actual combat situation. Protective gear is worn to prevent accidents, althoough no contact is allowed to the head, neck, back or below the belt.

Children particularly enjoy Kumite, becasue it is fun and they can really practice their techniques against a partner. The children's sparring is always supervised and poits are awarded for good techniques.

We encourage our students to compete in karate tournaments sevral times per year. It helps them manage nervousness or "stage fright" and performing under pressure. Kumite practice in class not only prepares the student for tournament fighting competition but develops speed and reflexes needed in a real-life self defense situatuion.
See Kumite Photo Gallery...


Self Defense

Self Defense is the main purpose of martial arts training. Students learn to defend against the punch, grab & puch, hair grabs, chokes, bear hugs from front or back, headlock, hammerlock and many more.

At advanced ranks students are taught to defend against a club, knife, chain and gun.

Defnses from various prone positions, such as being pinned down, sitting in a chair, laying on the ground face up or down are diligently practiced.

At brown belt, students learn to defend against multiple attackers, starting with 2, then working up to 4-5 simultaneously. This is a big challenge and involves strategy and practice.
See Self Defense Photo Gallery...