| Are you looking to join your local karate club or have | | | | forms are often a main requirement for each test, and |
| you already taken the first step and signed up? If you | | | | they help the practitioner to understand how different |
| haven't yet visited your local martial arts school, you're | | | | techniques fit together and integrate into sets of |
| probably wondering what a typical karate class looks | | | | techniques. There are many different forms and each |
| like. This article will break down the main elements of a | | | | one has a set pattern with a central focus. |
| good karate class. | | | | They are often likened to the martial arts equivalent of |
| Obviously not every club will follow this format and | | | | a dance routine but most forms have accompanying |
| within each martial arts school the weekly classes will | | | | application drills that show how each technique can be |
| also change but this is meant to be a guide of what to | | | | used against an opponent in a self-defense situation. |
| expect in general. | | | | 5. Short break Depending on the length and intensity of |
| Classes also vary in length ranging from short 30 | | | | each class, practitioners are often given the chance of |
| minute classes for young kids to 1 hour classes or | | | | a short "water break." |
| longer for older kids, teenagers and adults. The | | | | 6. Partner work drills These types of drills are usually |
| following example is based on a one-hour class and | | | | one of the fun parts of a karate class because the |
| not all of these elements will be covered in each | | | | practitioners get to practice their techniques with an |
| lesson. | | | | opponent to see how they are used and to drill |
| 1. Formal etiquette The majority of karate schools | | | | appropriate reactions to different types of attacks. |
| adhere to some kind of formal etiquette at the | | | | Partner work drills aren't always limited to two people |
| beginning and end of each class. This practice can be | | | | but can often include multiple opponents or group |
| attributed to traditional Asian culture where bowing and | | | | training drills. This usually depends on the creativity of |
| formal chanting are often used to begin and end any | | | | the instructor and the overall level of the class. |
| type of structured activity. Depending on your chosen | | | | 7. Pads and targets An important part of karate |
| karate school you could see the full routine of formal | | | | training is to practice your techniques against different |
| etiquette including kneeling, multiple bows and the | | | | types of targets. These targets include soft or hard |
| verbal recital of the school creed to a more laidback | | | | focus targets, body shields, hanging bags or the more |
| approach of an informal hand clap followed by the | | | | popular free-standing Wavemasters, plastic sheets |
| words, "Let's begin". | | | | and even wooden boards from time to time. Pads and |
| 2. Warm-up and stretching Before any type of | | | | targets are usually a lot of fun for all involved and give |
| physical activity it is highly recommended that you | | | | you a real sense of what it feels like to actually strike |
| warm-up and stretch. It is often a good idea to end the | | | | a target. |
| activity with more stretching (sometimes called a | | | | 8. Conditioning drills This is really where your level of |
| warm-down). Karate is a very physical activity and so | | | | fitness can improve dramatically. Conditioning drills |
| it should be obvious that a warm-up is an integral part | | | | include running, jumping, push-ups, sit-ups, jumping jacks, |
| of each lesson. | | | | star jumps, squats, relays, and any number of |
| 3. Practice of basic techniques Right after the | | | | stamina-focused activities. Depending on the level of |
| warm-up ends many karate classes begin with basic | | | | the class and the age group these drills are not always |
| practice. This includes drilling stances, punches, kicks, | | | | for the light-hearted but you did want to get a good |
| blocks and strikes on the spot and up and down the | | | | workout, didn't you? |
| floor with the focus being on multiple repetitions of the | | | | So in a nutshell a typical karate class will include some |
| main techniques required for each rank level. | | | | or all of these different elements. |
| 4. Forms practice Forms are pre-defined sequences | | | | Good luck and best wishes on your journey in karate. |
| of techniques that a practitioner must memorize. The | | | | |