What is karate?

Karate is an unarmed martial-arts discipline using kicking, striking, and defensive blocking with arms and legs. You concentrate as much of the body’s power as possible, so that way once you release your full power, your kicks or punches are efficient. Striking surfaces include using your hands, ball of the foot, heel, forearm, knee, or elbow. Many of the kicking motions require you to use the top of your foot or your heel. For example, the roundhouse kick is most commonly used. To get this motion, you lift your leg up, turn your body to the left, and have a quick, snappy kick using the top of your foot whereas, using the cross step back sidekick has you using your heel to push your opponent. Practice kicks can toughen each motion against padded surfaces or wood. Breaking boards require more practice and effort. It may seem scary kicking a board with your barefoot, but the most important thing is that you have to follow through with it. You can’t stop your leg right in the middle of kicking the board. If you do that, it can cause injury or pain. Also, make sure you hit the right part of the board… The best place to hit is right, dead, smack in the middle, so that way it will be easier to break. When sparring, timing your kicks and watching how your opponent moves is also key. You don’t always have to be the aggressor… wait a bit, see what your opponent does, and then attack. Combine kicks and punches, use all your strength, use all your blocks, and don’t be afraid. As of right now, I am a blue belt 3rd degree (*3rd degree is just your ranking within the color of the belt). The next test I take will determine whether I will become a brown belt. Just like with any other sport, want to do it. Stay committed and believe me when I say that practicing helps you so much.

Here is the order of the belts:

1. White Belt

2. Orange Belt

3. Yellow Belt

4. Green Belt

5. Purple Belt

6. Blue Belt

7. Brown Belt

8. Red Belt

9. Black Belt