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white belt curriculum

All foundational work in Karate takes time. Our program gives you a staged learning system in modules, that seamlessly leads from one to the next. They are specifically designed to build upon each other in a specific order, giving you a reliable platform that is easy to understand and apply. These modules form a dependable framework of base techniques that you will always use, no matter how you far you or your child advances.​​​

Module 1
 
Basic Hand Techniques with Horse Stance:

  1. Horse Stance: Kiba Dachi; to stabilize, lower center of gravity, and to connect upper and lower body. 

  2. Straight Punch: Seiken Choku-Tsuki; Proper body mechanics and body dynamics taught.

  3. Hook Punch: Kagi-Tsuki; to attack the side of an opponent at close quarters

 
Forearm & Hand Blocks:

  1. Pulling Hand: Hikite - to grip and control, or clear limbs

  2. Inside Middle Block: Chudan Uchei-Uke - block the torso, moving outwardly from the centerline

  3. Upper Block: Jodan Age-Uke - covering and blocking the head from all attacks

  4. Downward Block: Gedan-Barai - sweeping down to protect the waist from all punches, kicks & grabs

  5. Outside Middle Block: Chudan Soto-Uke - block the torso, moving from the outside of the body toward the centerline

  6. Knife Hand Block: Chudan Shuto-Uke - open palm knife hand block to cover the centerline

  7. Slapping Block: Nagashi-Uke - parrying checking block to cover from all angles

Module 2
 

Front Stance & Footwork - Zen Kutsu Dachi: ​

  1. Width of Gate and Depth of Lunge: learn the proper weightings and angles of the stance

  2. Learn to move: Zen Kutsu Dachi moving forward with no hand techniques

  3. Learn to move: Zen Kutsu Dachi moving backward with no hand techniques

  4. Core engagement: once you learn to move forward and backwards sufficiently, you will be taught on proper core engagement along the your steps. This sets the stage for better balance, more power when kicking, and how absorb a body blow.

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Karate’s “front stance” is a modular footwork with subtle snake-like movement for natural evasions and stability. It sets the stage for later hip turning to make power and reach needed for combat.

Module 3

Hand techniques with Zen Kutsu Dachi Line Sets: All Hand  and Forearm Blocks taught with moving in the same order in Module 1 with partners moving forward and backward vs. a Straight Punch attack: Inside Middle Block, Upper Block, Downward Block. Outside Block, Knife Hand Blocks and Slapping Parry Blocks. This step helps you understand the early stages of fighting distance, and to better acclimate your blocks in a more dynamic environment.
 
Kata: Naihanchi-Shodan
This is the first Kata taught at The Martial Arts Academy.  This Kata helps the student release unrealized potential energy from the legs, puts spring in your step, promotes core strength, and develops explosive short range power.

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Module 4
 

Kicking: After you learn how to step, you will learn how to kick, and incorporate them into your footwork. Karate’s Four basic Kicks form a foundation on which all other kicks and steps merge seamlessly into one integrated set:

  1. Front Snap Kick: Mae-Geri

  2. Roundhouse Kick: Mawashi-Geri

  3. Side Kick: Yoko-Geri

  4. Back Kick: Ueshiro-Geri

Module 5
 
Combo Line Sets: These are line sets, moving forward and backward, covering all parts of the body. This is done with every learned block and strike previously learned. You will learn simple blocks combinations of Down, Middle, and Upper Blocks. You will then learn to attack with Straight Punches. Again will all three levels. Down (Gedan Oi-Tsuki), Middle Chudan Oi-Tsuki), and Upper Punches (Jodan Oi-Tsuki). Once completed, you will then move on to more complex combinations.
 
Once all hand techniques are proficient, Kicks are then added. Moving forward and back in this manner allows you to understand and control fighting distance. You will begin to discern where your weapons (kicks, punches, grabs, locks and throws) will work, and where they won't. This also helps you perceive your opponent's range, and what weapons they have that pose an immediate danger

Module 6
Back Stance & Footwork - Kuko Kutsu Dachi:
 
Karate’s “back stance” is a linear footwork with longer range and backweighted for quick response kicks and leaps to avoid sweeps and throws. It sets the stage for later training to shift your weight back while moving, so the head is out of danger while advancing on an opponent.
 

  1. Width of Gate and Depth of Lunge: learn the proper weightings and angles of the stance

  2. Learn to Move: Kuko Kutsu Dachi moving forward with no hand techniques

  3. Learn to Move: Kuko Kutsu Dachi moving backward with no hand techniques

  4. Integrate: add all hand blocks, strikes, and kicks with Back Stance Footwork. These are added in the same order you learned in Front Stance with Hand Techniques in Module 3.

  5. Cat Stance: Nekoashi-Dachi: learn Cat Stance (a much more nimble Back Stance) to shift weightings and postures quickly. 

 
Kata: Pinan-Shodan

Module 7

Pinan Shodan Bunkai - Fighting Applications: You will learn a large range of applications from Pinan Shodan. These are taught in a methodical step by step fashion. These include grab escapes, blocking various attacks, hand strikes, leg captures and knockdowns. 

Module 8

Grappling Hands: Liven up all your existing hand techniques with Grappling Hands, better known as Sticky Hands in martial arts jargon. This close range grappling drill is a live-touch drill that progresses from step-by-step, into unrehearsed low tempo mock sparring. It greatly improves your tactile sensitivity and makes your movements more natural and spontaneous to any surprise attacks. 
 
Kata: Pinan-Nidan
Expand your arsenal with Pinin Nidan, with your techniques starting at close range, learning to push your opponent away into longer range. Add powerful waist turns for striking power, kicks, transitions, core engagement, and augmented blocks.

Module 9
 

Break Falls - Learn how to fall safely without injury:

  1. Back Fall: protect yourself when you fall backwards

  2. Side Fall: Left & Right Sides. Protect yourself when falling to either side of your body

  3. Front Roll: Left & Right Sides. Learn roll safely forward when swept or being pushed

  4. Face Plant Guard: land safely when you slip or fall directly on your frontside

Module 10


Sticking Hands Drill to show Rotations to Knock Opponent Down or Throw: Learn to manipulate your opponent’s centerline to enable knock downs and throws. Learn to use Karate’s Nukite “spear hand” technique to unbalance your opponent, and throw. You will also use it as a bridge for arm drags in surprise self defense scenarios.

Module 11
 

Pinan Nidan Bunkai - Fighting Application: You will learn a large range of applications from Pinan Nidan Kata. These include additional footwork and evasions (Tai-Sabaki), soft blocks (parries) manipulating your opponents centerline, two throws, kicks and fighting at longer range. 
 
Season with light, continuous sparring with opponents of all levels. Address any faulty habits or foundational skills that need to be touched up or revisited. After 8-12 months: Review Learned material and student’s quality score card. Make any corrections if necessary.

Prepare for Green Belt Test.

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