Karate is a Japanese word meaning ‘empty hand’. As a martial art it is a form of self-defence involving hard training and the strict disciplining of your mind and body. As a result of its origins and history, several types of Karate have developed, each favouring somewhat different techniques and training methods. Karate gained popularity in the UK after it featured in a couple of James Bond movies in the 1960s and 1970s, and amongst children, after the 1980s film ‘The Karate Kid’. Today, there are an increasing number of karate venues for children throughout the UK. Most karate clubs accept children aged six upwards.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF KARATE

The four main types of karate practised throughout the UK are:

• Wado Ryu
• Shotokan
• Goju Ryu
• Shito Ryu

These are not the only forms and there is no style that is particularly better for children to do. They are all derived from the same school of karate but have emerged from different regions.

THE ETHOS OF KARATE

Karate is not an Olympic sport. One of the reasons for this is the internal debate within the karate community about whether it is more a sport or more an art form. This dilemma stems from the philosophical reasoning at the core of karate. Karate should inspire:

• Self-confidence
• Self-discipline
• Fitness
• A willingness to ‘fight yourself’
• The knowledge that you can defend yourself from attack

The ethos of karate is to be a better person, to help others through confidence and have the courage to walk away.

VISITING A CLUB OR DOJO

If your child is interested in karate, check out a few of the clubs in your area (see finding a karate club below). However, when you do visit a karate club (also known as a dojo), there are certain things you should check for:

• Ask to see the instructor’s credentials – make sure he/she is registered with a governing body
• The instructor should not have any problems with you asking to watch a training session.
• Check that the club/dojo and instructor have insurance cover.
• Use your common sense – would you want to train in that environment?

Aside from the safety and well being of your child, it is worth checking the club’s credentials as otherwise you may be charged fees under false pretences. The grades and belts your child may gain may prove worthless if the club and therefore its belts are not recognised by the national governing bodies.

IS IT EXPENSIVE

In reputable clubs you should be able to attend several lessons before committing to any purchase of equipment or club membership.

Equipment

After a few lessons you will need to buy the karate outfit. This should vary from between Ј20-40 depending upon the size and quality of the outfit.

Club Fees

If your club is based at a local leisure centre you should not be paying membership fees beyond those as a member of the leisure centre. However, when it is a purpose built dojo (practising karate eight hours a day), there will be club membership fees. You should ask if the fees cover a licence for the child, which provides insurance with the governing body and a membership booklet. The booklet is a record of attendance and progression with each course, session and grade achieved marked down. The governing bodies should have a list of everybody practising karate in the country. Each training session you then attend will cost approximately between Ј3-Ј5.

HOW IS IT TAUGHT

Karate is always taught in groups of up to about 25-30, with one instructor. If the group is any larger, the instructor should have a co-instructor to help him. The sessions normally last between one and one and half hours.

AT WHAT AGE CAN YOU START KARATE

Children can start learning karate once aged six/seven and above. The groups are split into those under and over 16 years old. Children under 16 will practise junior karate and work towards junior karate belts.

LEVEL OF COMMITTMENT NEEDED

To begin with your child will need to attend once a week. However, if your child wishes to develop his/her karate and gets more involved he/she will want to attend two or three times a week.

THE KARATE BELTS

The belt system starts with the lighter colours (white, orange, yellow) and progresses through to the brown belt and ultimately the black belt. It usually takes about three months (depending upon the levels of commitment) between each grade, with the amount of time needed to attain each grade expanding with every grade reached. Under-16s will work towards junior belts. These are not recognised by governing bodies. However, once 16 years old the pupil should be able to gain the equivalent adult belt. If your child did karate and has given it up for a few years and is now thinking of taking it up again, he/she should start from the beginning, but move through the grades more swiftly.

FINDING A CLUB

The fragmented state of karate, with different associations adopting different styles, means that there is no one online source listing all the karate clubs or dojos in a given area. The best way to find a local club is to contact the governing body in your home country. They will have a database of all their affiliated associations, clubs and instructors in your area. 

It will also be worth checking with your local authority, as they might have a list of recommended clubs or looking in the yellow pages.

The British Traditional Karate Association (BTKA) the Wado International Karate-Do Federation and the Shotokan of England Karate Union (SEKU) are all karate associations with links to governing bodies. They list the clubs which are part of their association online and may help you find a club in your area.  

KARATE IN SCHOOLS

Karate organisations have links with both state and private schools. It is taught in schools and in some cases has become part of the school curriculum, practised in school hours.

KARATE HOLIDAY CAMPS

Karate associations do run holiday camps in both the winter and summer. If you are considering this, the likelihood is you are already with a club, which should have information.

KARATE EVENTS

There aredays and national championships in karate. Contact the governing bodies or local clubs for more information about these.

KARATE FOR DISABLED CHILDREN

Instructors can teach a form of karate adjusted to the needs of your child. However, this will depend upon each instructor so it is best to contact your local club and ask if an instructor is willing and able to teach your child.

The contact details for the charities and organisations dedicated to sport for disabled children throughout the UK can be found in our section on Leisure for Disabled Children.

GOVERNING BODIES

The governing bodies will be able to provide you with information about the karate available in your area. Each will have a list of its affiliated karate associations, which may be teaching different types of karate.

English Karate Governing Body
E-mail: info

Welsh Traditional Karate Federation
Telephone:

Scottish Karate Governing Body  
Telephone:

Northern Ireland Karate Board
Telephone:

European Karate Federation

World Karate Federation

International Traditional Karate Federation

For more information about what’s going on in your area, visit your Local Authority’s website. It can provide details on activities, attractions and services available to you and your family.