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1. What style of Karate do you teach?
We teach  traditional Japanese Shotokan Karate and self-defence techniques. Karate  is a great way to keep fit, gain flexibility and confidence and is a  good activity for adults and children to learn together. 

Shotokan  Karate-do was originally founded by Master Gichin Funakoshi (1868-1957)  in Okinawa. The style is characterised by its low deep stances and  powerful techniques.  

2. Who can train at FHSKC?
Karate is  for everyone! We believe that the appropriate age for children to start  karate is about 6 to 7 years old. We do however welcome children from  the ago of 5.  Students from the age of 5 through to OAPs are invited to  train at FHSKC. All we ask is for willingness to learn in a friendly  but disciplined environment.

If you have not been involved with  any physical activities for some time or have had health problems in the  past which may cause concern please consult one of the instructors and  seek guidance from your doctor before commencing training.

Our  classes are mixed in age and gender.  We encourage parents to join in  with their children and have many family groups that regularly train  together. 

3. How do I know my child is in safe hands?
We welcome  all children from the age of 5. If your child decides that s/he is  enjoying the club and would like to join we ask that you obtain a  licence for your child via us through the Amateur Martial Association. A  new child licence costs only £11. This means that your child then has  their own personal martial arts insurance. 

Our Instructors are  fully qualified holding National Coaching Certificates, Professsional  Indemnity and Instructor Insurance, Certificate in Child Protection and  Welfare, Certificate in First Aid & are CRB checked and cleared.   All qualifications are renewed within the relevant specified time  periods, usually every 2 to 3 years. We are transparent with our  certification which can be seen on the club boards which are on display  each and every lesson at Moreton Community Millennium Centre. 
You  are welcome to stay and watch your child but after the first few  lessons we do feel that children progress better without an audience. We  of course more than anything encourage you to join in yourself. We have  lots of family groups that train together. 

4. Where do you teach and at what times?
There are three lessons each week.  We are open throughout the school holidays. 

Tuesday - Burton Borough School, Newport - 7pm - 8.30pm
Friday - Millennium Community Centre, Moreton - 7pm - 8.30pm
Sunday - Millennium Community Centre, Moreton - 10am - 11.30am 

For a map please see the homepage or for directions please telephone Wayne Butler on 07890 349451. 

5. How much does it cost?
Your first lesson is FREE

If you wish to join there are no joining fees you just pay as you go. you are welcome to attend any number of sessions.
Adult (16yrs +) - £2.50 per lesson
Child (5-15yrs) - £2.00 per lesson

The cost of a martial arts licence and personal student insurance through the Amateur Martial Association (AMA) is: -
Adult New - £15
Adult Renewal - £15
Child New - £15
Child Renewal - £15

When  you are a beginner you should train in comfortable loose fitting  clothes.  After a while you may wish to purchase a karate suit (gi). You  can order this through us. Prices vary depending on size but are  usually around £15-£20. We pass on any trade discount we get from Blitz  Sport to you so you may find this cheaper than buying a gi elsewhere but  of course you are free to do so. 

Your first karate suit (gi)  comes with a white belt. Gradings take place four times per year and you  can grade as and when you are ready. New belts range from £2.50 to £3. 

Grading costs are as follows: -
Red Belt (10th kyu) to Purplue & White Belt (4th kyu) = £15
All Brown Belts (3rd kyu to 1st kyu) = £20
1st Dan Black Belt = £40
2nd Dan Black Belt = £50
3rd Dan Black Belt = £60
4th Dan Black Belt = £70

The  Farmhouse Shotokan Karate Club is a non-profit making karate club and  not a business. The instructors teach because of their passion and  dedication to the art of Shotokan Karate-do. The small fees charged are  to cover the cost of hiring the training hall. If there is anything left  over it is put towards training aids for the students at the club and  also for the continued progression and development of the instructors  themselves in their own training, so that they can pass their continued  knowledge onto their students.  

6. What should I wear?
We train  bare foot. For your first few lessons you should wear comfortable loose  fitting clothes like a t-shirt & tracksuit bottoms. Make sure there  are no zips for safety reasons! Also, long hair should be tied back,  nails cut short and you must remove your jewellery (wedding rings can be  covered up with tape if you prefer). 

After a while you may  decide to purchase a karate suit (gi) which we can order for you through  the club at a discounted price through Blitz Sport. You are free to  purchase a gi elsewhere, that is ok as well.  

7.  Do I need to book for my first lesson?
No not at  all, please just feel free to come along to any lesson at the time  specified. It would be best to arrive at least 5 to 10 minutes early to  have a quick chat with the instructor to ensure that the instructor is  aware of any medical conditions or previous injuries. You are welcome to  come along and watch a lesson first but often we find it is better just  to join in and give it a go  

8.  How do I get my coloured belts?
To earn a  coloured belt you must pass a physical grading. We hold club gradings  every three months in March, June, September & December. Dan  gradings are held twice per year usually in April and October. 

Your  grading will include 3 elements: kihon (basics), Kata (patterns) and  Kumite (partner-work/sparring).  Please see the grading syllabus page on  the website for more information. You will have plenty of time to  prepare for each grading.  You will be given the results on the day of  the grading and if you pass this will be entered into your grading  record in your licence book and you will subsequently be provided with a  certificate.  

9. How do I tie my belt?
How To Tie Your Karate Belt....

There  are many different ways of tying a karate belt (obi). Below is a list  of instructions of how we like you to tie your belt at our club. We all  wear the same Gi (white suit) and should all tie our belts the same from  10th kyu (white belt) through to Dan grades (black belts). It is a  uniform so that we are all the same. We all work together in harmony as a  group and the tying of the karate belt is all part of the etiquette  (good manners) which are important in all martial arts. If you would  like help to tie your belt please ask your Instructor or any of the  other higher grades who would be more than happy to help.

1.  Find the centre of your belt by folding it in half. Place the centre  point of the belt onto your stomach by your tummy button.

2. Run the belt around your waist, cross it over at the back and bring both ends back to the front.

3.  Make sure the ends of the belt are the same length. Do this by holding  one end in each hand and pulling them out in front of you.

4.  Find the point where the belt has crossed over at the back. Put your  finger and thumb of your LEFT hand between the two layers of the belt  and bring them around the left hand side of your waist and to the front  so that you are feeding the one layer of the belt underneath the other.  This means that you can only see one straight belt at the back rather  than it being crossed over.

5. Leave the one end of the belt underneath at the front (as you now have two layers). The other end will fall naturally on top.

6.  Pass the end that is on top straight down in front of the belt and tuck  it up underneath, back up the centre, closest to your body. That  creates the first knot.

7. You  should now have one end of the belt coming out of the top and one end of  the belt coming out of the bottom. Keep the bottom end low but flip it  over, put the top end over the bottom end and feed it up through the  loop you have created with the other end. Pull tight. That is the second  knot.

8. You belt should now be tied. If correct, the front of the belt knot should look like a fortune cookie

 

10. I've done karate before at another club, can I join FHSKC?
We welcome  all students, beginners, intermediate and advanced.  If you would like  to grade in our system we may honour the grade you have previously been  awarded but we would need to see proof of that grade. It is likely we  would ask you to take part in a physical grading to ensure that your  ability is in line with our requirements for that particular level.  If  you have studied a different style i.e. Wado Ryu again we would need to  ensure that you can perform everything on our syllabus up to the  relevant level and we would ask you to take part in a physical grading.  Generally we would need to ensure that you are performing the kata  correctly to the shotokan style and in accordance with Hirokazu Kanazawa  10th Dan whome we follow.  

11.  Why would karate be good for me?
Karate is  more than just a sport; it's a way of life. Karate involves both   physical and mental training. From the physical aspect, karate will  increase your fitness levels, it also increases flexibility which  reduces the risk of injury and makes daily life more productive. From  the mental aspect, it instils discipline, increases both self-awareness  and self-confidence, which greatly improves the psychological  well-being. Karate is a form of self-defense to be used only when your  situation is life threatening.

Karate is FUN and fulfilling and is something that anybody can acheive with a good spirit, determination, dedication and effort  

12. I am a senior student, how do I say the bow?
 
The  formal bow is usually done by the highest ranking student in the class  at the beginning and end of each lesson. The bow that we say at our club  is as follows: -

The Beginning: -
1 Kiritske Attention/Feet Together.
2 Seiza Kneel
3 Shomen Ni Rei Bow to Front of Dojo.
4 Sensei Ni Rei Bow to the Instructors.
5 Kiritske Stand.
The End: -
1 Yame-e-Naorei Attention/Feet Together.
2 Seiza Kneel.
3 Mokuso Meditation.
4 Mokuso Yame Finish Meditation.
5 Shomen Ni Rei Bow to Front of Dojo.
6 Sensei Ni Rei Domo Aregato Gozaimasu Rei Bow to Thank Instructor.
7 Sempai Ni Rei Domo Aregato Gozaimasu Rei Bow to Thank Assistant Instructor.
8 Kiritske Stand. 

13. What are the Club Rules?  

Code of Conduct & Dojo Etiquette:

Traditional  Shotokan Karate training is based largely on the development of  character, discipline and respect. Observing etiquette is a fundamental  expression of the respect that is expected to be given to the  instructors and to your fellow students.

With  this in mind, the points of etiquette and rules outlined below should  be adhered to when training at Farmhouse Shotokan Karate Club. Failure  to adhere to the rules could result in suspension from the club.  Compliance with the rules ensures a safe environment for all students to  train.

1. You must bow “Rei” when you enter and leave the Dojo.

2. You should not ‘run around’ before or after the lesson. The Dojo is for karate practice only.

3. Address your instructor as “Sensei” at all times when you are in the Dojo.

4. At all times students must respect and obey the instructor and other higher ranking grades and show respect for the Dojo.

5.  'OSS' is a sign of respect and is used generally in Karate especially  in the following situations: a) during the formal bow at the beginning  and the end of each lesson; b) upon receiving any advice or command from  the instructor; c) when bowing to your training partner before or after  any activity; d) in any other appropriate situation, for instance  during gradings or competitions.

6. Always line up quickly and in grade order.

7.  Any member arriving late must take up a kneeling position at the front  of the Dojo and await permission from the instructor before joining the  class. On receiving permission, bow & join the class.

8. No-one is to leave the class without first obtaining permission from the instructor.

9. You may ask questions during the lesson by raising your hand and waiting to be recognised.

10. Keep finger and toe nails clean and short to prevent injury to other students when practising together.

11. Long hair must always be tied back.

12. Personal hygiene must be of an acceptable standard to ensure a pleasant training environment for all members.

13.  Keep your Gi (karate suit) clean, smart and in good repair. Girls may  wear a plain white top under their jacket with no buttons, collar, zips  or fastenings for safety reasons.

14. Remove all jewellery and watches before training.

15. Turn your back if you have to adjust your Gi or tie your belt.

16. You must not swear or use offensive language whilst in the Dojo.

17. Members must not use their skills in any offensive way outside the Dojo.


Parents Code of Conduct

Parents are expected to: -

1. Positively reinforce their child and show an interest in their chosen activity.

2. Not place their child under undue pressure or push them into activities they do not want to do.

3. Deliver and collect the child punctually to and from lessons.

4. Ensure their child is properly and adequately attired for the weather conditions at the time.

5.  Detail any health concerns pertaining to the child on the consent form,  in particular breathing or chest conditions. Any changes in the state  of the child's health should be reported to the instructor prior to the  lesson.

6. Inform the instructor prior to departure if a child is to be collected early from a lesson.

7. Encourage their child to play by the rules and teach them that they can only do their best.

8.  Behave responsibly on the sidelines; do not embarrass your child. Also,  please do not chatter between yourselves as this disrupts the  philosophy & concentration of the class.

9. Ensure your child's hygiene and nutritional needs are met.

10. Accept the Instructor’s judgement. Instructors are fully trained, qualified and experienced.

11.  Parents/Guardians have the right to:- a) Know that their child is safe;  b) Be informed of problems or concerns relating to their child; c) Be  informed if their child is injured; d) Complain if they have concerns  about the standard of coaching.