Dojo Basics
Basic Dojo Etiquette
* Bow when entering the Dojo (training hall) This is a sign of respectful greeting
* Remove shoes when entering the Dojo Hall and never walk across the training floor area with your shoes on
* Address all instructors as Sensei (teacher)
* “Oss” or “Osu” is a formal salutation in karate and has many uses and meanings; such as ‘hello’, ‘yes’, ‘I understand’, or as a ‘thank you’
* Any student arriving late should take up the kneeling position at the side of the Dojo and await the Sensei’s permission to join the class
* Fingernails and toenails must be kept clean and short at all times
* Gi’s (karate uniform) must be kept clean and in good condition
* Jewellery must not be worn during training. If a ring cannot be removed it must be wrapped in tape
* Students must not smoke, swear, spit or undertake any action likely to offend the etiquette of the Dojo
* Always try your best. Spirit is more important than strength or technique
* When training with a partner, good control should be excercised
Japanese Terminology
Whilst you will not be expected to have a comprehensive knowledge of Japanese terminology, it will be useful to familiarse yourself with some of the more common phrases and commands used in the Dojo
General Terms
Jodan – Head/Upper area
Chudan – Middle body area
Gedan – Lower body area
Kiai – Spirit or energy shout/yell
Kime – Focusing mental and physical force
Rei – Bow
Yoi – Ready stance
Hajime – Start/Begin
Yame – Finish/Stop
Mawatte – Turn Around
Shomen – Square facing position
Hanmi – Half front facing position
Hidari – Left
Migi – Right
Seiza – Kneel
Mokuso – Meditate
Sensei – Teacher/Instructor
Kamae-te – Move to ready position
Counting in Japanese
Ichi – 1
Ni – 2
San – 3
Shi or Yon – 4
Go – 5
Roku – 6
Shichi – 7
Hachi – 8
kyu/ku – 9
Ju – 10
Stances
Zenkutsu-Dachi – Front stance
Kokutsu-Dachi – Back stance
Kiba-Dachi – Straddle-leg stance
Zuki – Punches & Uchi – Strikes
Choku-Zuki – Straight punch
Oi-Zuki – Stepping punch
Gyaku-Zuki – Reverse punch
Kizami-Zuki – Jab punch
Uraken-Uchi – Back-fist strike
Empi-Uchi – Elbow strike
Nukite – Spear hand
Geri – Kicks
Mae-Geri – Front kick
Mawashi-Geri – Roundhouse kick
Yoko-Geri Keage – Side snap kick
Yoko-Geri Kekomi – Side thrust kick
Ushiro-Geri – Back kick
Uke – Blocks
Age-Uke – Upper/Rising block
Soto-Uke – Outside block
Uchi-Uke – Inside block
Gedan-Barai – Downward block
Nagashi-Uke – Sweeping block
Shuto-Uke – Knife hand block
Kakiwake-Uke – Wedge block
Juuji-Uke – Cross block
Morote-Uke – Double Arm block
Kumite – Sparring
Sanbon Kumite – basic three step sparring
Gohon Kumite – basic five step sparring
Kihon Ippon Kumite – basic one step sparring
Jiyu Ippon Kumite – semi free sparring
Kaishi Ippon Kumite – reaction sparring
Jiyu Kumite – free sparring