Welcome to our dojo! Taking the first step into a new club/sport is always a daunting prospect. We hope to reassure you with as much information as possible but if you have any further questions please do not hesitate to ask any of the staff members or students of higher rank.

TERMS YOU SHOULD LEARN AS A WHITE BELT:
Sensei – what you call a karate teacher
Ki o tsuke – When Sensei says this, stand at attention, hands at your side, no talking or moving
Rei – When Sensei says this, you bow
Onegai shimasu – We say this at the beginning of class, means please
Domo arigato gozaimasu - We say this at the end of class, means thank you

JAPANESE COUNT (1-10):
1 – ichi
2 – ni
3 – san
4 – shi
5 – go
6 – roku
7 – shichi
8 – hachi
9 – ku
10 - ju

HOW TO TIE YOUR KARATE BELT


1) Find the middle of the belt and place against your waist and around the back.

2) Bring the ends to the front and cross the ends right over left.

3) Tuck the right end under BOTH strands (between the Gi and Belt) and pull tight.

4,5) Complete the knot tying left over right.

6) Pull tight and allow ends to hang symmetrically.

HOW TO GET YOUR 1st COLOR BELT:
As a white belt, your job is to make it to class, practice whenever possible, be good in and out of the dojo and pass a brief in-class test for your tip. After 3 tips, you are in the running for a belt promotion to your Yellow Belt.

RANK TEST INFORMATION:
We hold a monthly rank test every last Saturday of the month for students that have met the minimum attendance requirements and show that they have the required knowledge and technique for the next rank. Students not testing are not required to attend but are welcome to watch.

The regular test schedule is Kobudo from 9-10am, Youth/Adult Karate from 10:30-11:30 and Little Dragons/Tiny Tigers from 11:30am - 12noon.

We hand out test notices generally between the 1st and 2nd week of the month. These are REQUIRED to be turned in at least 1 week prior to test day.
All rank test candidates are judged by their knowledge and performance of rank requirements along with attitude and schoolwork.