Karate 101 – A Beginner’s Guide to Karate

Karate is a martial art that has been practiced for centuries all over the world. It is a fun and incredibly rewarding way to improve both your physical & mental health while enhancing self-discipline.

The word karate is derived from the Japanese words kobudo and jujutsu meaning “the way of the empty hand”. While most people associate karate with self-defense, it can also be a great exercise and a fun way to meet new people!

There are many different styles of karate. The most famous ones include Shotokan, Goju-ryu, Wado-ryu and Shito-ryu.

These styles vary in emphasis and competition rules, but they all share the common goal of striking techniques that can be used to defend against an opponent with limited or no weapons. They are all based on kata (forms), sparring, and light contact fighting with opponents using protective gear.

Kumite (sparring) is the main form of karate. It is a combination of striking, grappling, and kicking techniques that can be practiced to test your skill and confidence as well as teach you how to respond in the heat of the moment!

When training for a competition, karate fighters compete in kata and sparring. A kata is a series of movements that must be performed in a set amount of time. In a match, the more points a fighter earns at the end of a kata, the more likely they are to win.

A successful kata may result in the fighter earning one point, three points, or even an 8-point lead! Referees often call out terms such as ippon (three points), waza-ari (two points), or yuko (one point) during a match.