Basingstoke karate club, part of the Southern Shotokan Karate Association, has been established for 25 years.
The club is run by Sensei Tony Kimber, 5th dan. We are a small friendly club, open to all abilities and ages from 8 to 80. Karate has many benefits not only self-protection it can help you
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1 = Meet new people
2 = Keep fit
3 = Builds confidence
4 = Increases your strength
5 = Improves your flexibility
6 = Develops better concentration and coordination
7 = Help combat stress
8 = Learn practical self-defence techniques.
Students can progress at their own pace, without pressure to grade or compete, although there are great opportunities to do so if you wish.
Warm Up
This is especially important as it ensures your muscles and body are ready for the lesson and do not become over-stressed or damaged by sudden, extreme movement. The warm-ups are also a good time to mentally prepare for the lesson or an event by clearing the mind, increasing focus and reviewing skills & strategy.
Basic Training
Essentially this is practice of set moves required throughout your Karate training which include various blocks, punches and kicks. Some of these basic moves include:
Oi-Zuki – Punch whilst stepping forward, same hand and foot forward.
Age-Uke – Upper rising block (blocks a punch to the head).
Gedan-Barai – Downward block (block a kick to the body).
All of these techniques are performed in line with your fellow students under the direction of the Sensei (Teacher).
Kata Practice
A kata is a formal choreographed pattern of movements or sequence of techniques. I’d describe them as a sort of “dance” to non-karateka and a new one is learnt for every stage of your Karate development. The first kata is Kata Kihon and only includes the basic techniques Gedan-Barai and Oi-Zuki. This kata is the first in a series of 27 that you’ll learn as you progress in your Karate career.
Kumite
This is the part we call sparring which is basically the fighting part of your Karate skills. Kumite is taught in a very structured and controlled manner with minimum contact. Again, within kumite, you will practice some of the moves which you have previously learnt in order to defend and protect yourself. However, I’d like to re-iterate what I mentioned earlier:
Karate is for self-defence only and not something with which to show off or seek confrontation.
Lessons
We train at:​
The Vyne Community School
Vyne Rd
Basingstoke
RG21 5PB
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Tuesday evenings from
7pm until 8:30pm.
Each lesson costs £6 whether you stay for 1 or 1 1/2 hours.