does anyone do karate?

Question

what are the basic moves in karate? I've just done a physical intervention course for work which has inspired me to do Karate or something similar. i did judo when I was younger and wasn't so keen on the throws, but what does karate involve?

Answer 1

Karate isn't hard to learn, though it has a lot of techniques and basic principles.
There already a lot of basic moves, which involve a series of kicks and punches.
About the first things you should learn are the right stances, like kiba dashi, senkushu dashi, and some kicks like migeri, mawashigeri, kingeri, kakatogeri, and some punches and blocks like jodanuke/ageuke, kumiuke, udekumiuke.
And before you start performing anything, you have to joi (this is taking the right stance, ask your teacher)
When you know most or all of the basic kicks and punches, you should be taught kumite (this is a planned series of kicks and punches for "duel fighting") and different katas (katas are a series of planned kicks and punches performed solo; they're basically for competitions).
To perform most of these things correctly, you need flexibility, stamina and good memory.
Don't forget to kiai!

Answer 2

Your question asked what karate is like as an art. Not is it good or bad. I see all the karate-haters stepping up right away. They are quick to dis it and pump up their own style.

True karate was developed in Okinawa. It is a mix of Te, the native art of Okinawa and kung-fu from China. Okinawa was an island that did not allow its inhabitants to use weapons. As such they had to work with what they had. Their bodies, sticks and farming/fishing tools. The art remained native to Okinawa for about five generations branching into several styles of Karate (there are only five traditional styles from Okinawa: WaduRyu, ShtoRyu, Gojuryu, Shotokan and NahaRyu). Eventually Okinawa became dominated by Japan. Prior to this Okinawa was its own independent country.
The emperor of Japan visited Okinawa. He saw a karate demonstration. The art moved to Japan under the guidance of Gichin Funakoshi. It changed drastically there. The art as it came from Okinawa was smooth and looked like kung-fu, the Japanese made it very linear and generic so it could be taught at universities.

This is the history of true karate.
In America there are several karate associations such as JKA (Japanese karate Association) IKA (International karate Association) etc etc etc...
There are also a small number of schools that study the art of karate as it was before it went to Japan. This being said beware of “American” style karate as they are bastardized styles from the original karate and as such I am not sure how valid they are.

Karate is a striking art. The blocks should be punishing become offensive in there very nature. Some of the blocks are designed to break joints, dislocate joints, cause physical trauma to ligaments and tendons. The blocks and strikes have a cam motion (a spinning rotation) and a very focused contact point. The punches should penetrate about 3 to 4 inches into the target. There is also kicking but that is not as primary a weapon as the hand techniques but still effective none the less. The kicks are generally mid to lower level. The kicks are not flashing either.
Hidden within the techniques there are grapples as well. Some of the higher level kata even have ground techniques.

It is a good art of which I am fond. But here is there universal truth about martial arts.
Quality and frequency of training are more important than style.

Answer 3

I did Karate for 6 years and the other person is right that you should'nt join a class of 3 or more because I use to be in a class of 30 and obviously its not possilble to taught properly in such a large number...........anyway back to your question, its quite a lot of punching, and a fair amount of kicking. It's quite full contact, but that means you also learn a lot of blocking techniques.........In my typical lessons we did, fighting, some Katas which are bascially the equivelent to a dance, so a series of set movements compiled together to make a form and then practising some movements on pads....Hope this gives you a bit of an insight to Karate! You may think of looking at other martial arts just in case you preffered the look of them, obviously not judo. Oh yeah also karate does'nt have that many throws, it's not really about getting your opponent to the ground!
Good Luck!!

Answer 4

Karate will utilize your flexibility, and you'll learn the basics of blocking, kicking, and punching. there will be some joint locks and manipulation, but not as much as several other martial arts that unfortunately like Judo will have throwing techniques.

Karate is what I call a "standing game" discipline, which means it'll help you to fight while you're on your feet.

The different discipline's of Karate such as Goju Ryu and Shorin Ryu are good examples and will help you by teaching you the techniques for power in your punches and kicks.

So Karate is a good discipline to learn, and couple that with what you already learned from Judo, it'll add to that.

Whatever your decision, I hope you decide to take up some discipline, and good luck.

Answer 5

I have been doing karate for 11 years now started when I was 8. I can be rough if you or your opponent have no control when sparring. I have done a bit judo myself which I liked but not as much as karate.

Karate involves quite alot from sweeps to kicks punching finger strikes arm locks and throws. Most of the best techniques are hidden in the Kata's they say only the best karate ka can figure them out. Karate is great in defencive situation. I don't believe in superior martial arts only Superior martial artists. Most importantly karate is good for the mind it helps me with my low self esteem.

What ever you choose to do karate for I hope it helps.

Answer 6

For self defence Karate isn't the best form of martial art as it's very traditional and can't really be transfered into real-life situations.

Depends on what you want from the martial art. If you want to be all showy than Tae-Kwon-Doe is a good one .... lots of big movements. Kung-Foo is a very traditional martial art and Jiu jitsu has a lot more ground-work and not so showy!
If you want something more sporty or practical then Kick-boxing is a good one - go for a free-style version. But if you want something a little more aggressive then give Thai-boxing a go or even Krav Maga!

I've done several of the above over the years and by far Krav Maga and Kick Boxing have been my favourite :O)

Answer 7

Karate has many variations but in general you will have various punches (reverse, knife hand, back hand, etc. etc), various elbow strikes, kicks, knees, hard blocks (force vs. force), breathing and such.
There should be a discussion on ranges, what weapon (fist, snake fist, hammer hand, knife hand, round house kicks) to use in each situation. There will be form or Kata training and should be some sparring although some schools do not spar.
Check out Kenpo Karate if given a chance.
Best of luck.

Answer 8

Bruce Lee. Hiyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa Hah!

Answer 9

Mostly screaming lol i took Kung Fu much better helps with reflex's, Karate is just for power mostly anything Japanese is just for power, Chinese things are for speed, The best thing i would say but you would have to be dedicated is Ninjitsu, i know basic Ninjitsu and lets just say i don't trip and fall, or Shadow boxing its like kick boxing but with Kung Fu look into it, and you can get a style that you like, I would go with Cats claw or eagle claw if you have nails, Drunken Boxing for center of gravity, And all those lil asian movies you watch you will see a style you like and there you go.

but if you still want Karate, it is mostly Punching and kicking, You really learn nothing in a big class, I strongly recommend Kung Fu

Answer 10

i do karate if you want help you can email me at [e-mail] I know some moves but I'm only an orange belt. Depends on what you want to know also depends on where you live like in some country's you get arrested for doing certain things.

kin geti~groin kick put one foot flat foot on the groung put your other foot standing on the toe. flick your toe foot out and hit groin with the top.

I'm not sure if that made sense i'm better at giving visuals.