What is this?

We are Georgetown College's Karate club. We get together 2-3 times a week to learn and practice karate.

What is karate?

The term 'karate' refers to the martial arts. Martial Arts are a discipline. Part sport, part skill, karate is an excellent way to exercise your body and your mind at the same time. Our particular form of karate is called Shotokan.

Who can do Shotokan?

Anyone, regardless of age, gender, or size. Your efforts improve your body's fitness and skill.

What does karate do for you?

It teaches you to control how your body reacts during "fight or flight" situations. We learn how to block an attack and then launch a counter-attack by either kicking or punching the opponent. It also gives you a well-rounded workout, combining strength training with fast-paced exercise. Karate improves your balance, coordination, and strength.

What does the "Hiyaa!" sound represent?

It's your way of releasing the energy that goes into your attack

What is Shotokan?

Shotokan is one of the largest and most respected martial arts styles in the world, with over 6 million people practicing Shotokan worldwide. 'ISKF' stands for "International Shotokan Karate Federation", and we are part of that organization. The ISKF is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, and is part of an even larger organization called the Japan Karate Association, or JKA.

All rankings in Shotokan are recognized worldwide by the ISKF and the JKA.

Who can join?

Anyone who is a student, faculty, or staff member of Georgetown College. It does not matter what size, age, or gender you are; you will benefit from karate if you attend classes regularly.

Does it cost anything?

You may try karate, free of charge, during the first week of each semester. There is no obligation. Should you decide to stick with it, you will pay dues on a per-semester basis just like your fellow students. Terms of payment are negotiable; talk to a club officer for more information:

• Bobbi Cornish Boblett - bobbi_boblett@georgetowncollege.edu

All new students will be given a Gi (uniform) with your first dues payment. As you advance through the ranks, you will also receive any belts you earn, free of charge - consider it a reward for your hard work and dedication.

How do I get my belt ranking?

You need to attend class twice per week to receive any benefit from karate. At thhe end of each semester, we have a belt examination. If you have attended regularly and the instructor approves, you and your fellow students will be given the test.

What is a workout like?

Challenging, but fun and rewarding! Come find out for free.

Will I sweat a lot?

Yep!

What if I don't know karate?

Perfect. You don't have to have any skill of any kind to learn karate. None of us was "just thrown in" and expected to know everything: we will teach you what you need to know.

Do I get to break boards?

We sometimes practice with plastic re-breakable boards.

Do I have to fight people?

Not as the term 'fighting' is most commonly used. We do learn controlled fighting.

Controlled fighting begins with learning 3-step sparring (our word for fighting) while in the beginner ranks. This consists of knowing how the attacker will attack and to an extent knowing when the attack is coming.

In the intermediate ranks, you learn 1-step sparring, which is not as rigid as 3-step sparring and allows for more creativity in your counter-attack. At this level, you know how the attacker will attack and to some extent when the attach is coming.

Once you reach the advanced ranks, you will learn semi-free and free sparring, which is the most fun and challenging of all. In semi-free, all you know is what the attack will be. In free sparring, anything goes!

TRUST

We all work together in karate, and we all have the same goals. When you pair with one of your classmates, you quickly learn to trust your sparring partner, and this trust is mutual. All of our members practice a great deal of self-control when attacking, defending, and counter-attacking. Our goal when sparring is not to hurt the opponent, but to help the opponent learn how to react to our attacks and counter-attacks.

That is not to say that what you learn is ineffective! Make no mistake: you will be learning real ways of defending yourself. An environment of trust is what gives you the opportunity to practice real and effective karate techniques.