Training Details

Session Times and Locations

Mondays, 20:45 - 22:30
Cricket Hall, Hertfordshire Sports Village, de Havilland Campus - View location on Google Maps

Thursdays, 20:00 - 21:30
Hutton Hall, College Lane Campus - View location on Google Maps

Types of Training

Training consists of different aspects that form an integrated and comprehensive approach. These aspects are:

1. Physical Training

Karate practice is an excellent way of keeping fit, emphasising co-ordination, balance, control and all-round development of the body. Many people who start karate want to improve their physical fitness (which they do), but are even more impressed by just what they can achieve when they learn how to use their physical coordination in addition to their fitness.

Physical training includes warming up, mobility exercises, stretching to prepare for movement, specific exercises for speed and stamina, and stretching at the end of the session to develop flexibility.

2. Kihon

Kihon is the practice of the basic physical techniques. Training in the individual techniques allows actions to be executed smoothly, accurately and efficiently. It is during these practices that students learn the skills that will form the foundations on which the rest of their karate will be built.

3. Kata

Kata is a series of karate movements and techniques integrated together to form a sequence. Kata are designed to enable the practice of all karate techniques. There are over 25 kata, ranging from the quite simple (involving only a few techniques) to the very complex (requiring jumps and physical dexterity).

4. Ten-no Kata

These basic exercises teach how to apply techniques in relation to a partner. One partner executes an agreed attack to which the other responds with a specific defence and counter. Skills such as how to move in a fast, yet physically relaxed manner, or how to punch, kick or deflect attacks, are all covered in a systematic manner.

5. Kumite

Sparring is one of the most difficult of karate practices to accomplish well, and the easiest to perform badly. At its highest level, kumite involves the free use of any karate technique, usually against a single opponent. Completely free sparring (jyu kumite) is usually only practised by those of considerable experience, although lower grades spar under carefully controlled conditions, such as sambon kumite.