Training

Karate skills have to be learned, practiced and conditioned to the point of automatic response. In Ketsugo Goju-Ryu we employ many routines and training methods to help condition the student's body, mind and spirit.

• Stretching Routines (plus Daruma Taiso, a stretching routine created by Seikichi Toguchi)
• Punching & Blocking Routines
• Kicking Routines
• Heavy Bag Routines for Striking & Kicking
• Focus Pad & Speed Bag Training
• Makiwara Training

Bunkai is the application of technique. In Kata Kumite, two students perform pre-determined sequences to bridge the middle area between kata and actual fighting. They allow the student to apply and understand the fighting techniques of the kata against an opponent. In Kiso Kumite, students train with a partner and focus on pre-arranged counter techniques. The counters include many of the kata bunkai techniques such as strikes, throws, take-downs, and joint manipulation.The Bunkai punching routine involves students paired up, going through moving punching and blocking techniques; emphasizing strength, timing, distance and precision.

Waza (or techniques) are one-step fighting techniques which focus on control, distance, timing and targeting. Over time, as the student progresses in rank and skill these waza become more technical. Realism is always central to the technique.Self-defense is at the heart of everything we do in Ketsugo Goju-Ryu. Every aspect of training is centered and rooted in self-defense, from kata to sparring. The training provides the student with the speed, strength, timing, and distance needed to react appropriately to any given self-defense situation. Specific self-defense training involves evading and countering holds, grabs, and joint locks; and for each rank, there are new self-defense techniques to learn. Self-defense against the knife, gun, and club are also part of our training.

After the first belt test (gold belt), students begin sparring.  Sparring is a great way to implement various techniques as well as improve hand eye coordination, timing, distance, techniques, and confidence. We use a continuous sparring method called iri kumi, where the fighting does not stop until time has expired. The intensity of the matches will increase with rank and experience, but will always defer to the lower ranked, or younger student.    Of course safety is important to us and we take the welfare of our students very seriously. No one may spar without a black belt being present and watching. At green belt, students begin using sweeps and take-downs. At red belt, adult students will use face contact.   Protective gear is worn on the hands, feet, head, groin, and shins.