Class Rules | Uniforms | Patches | Class Outline
Equipment Requirements | Junior Camps
Tournaments | Awards Ceremony | Rank Tests
Rank System & Requirements | Junior Study Terms

The Junior program is for children ages 5 to 12.  Utilizing martial arts training, the primary focus of the junior program is to develop each student's confidence, discipline and respect for others.  Children are taught that having a "good attitude" at all times is the most important aspect of their training.  In addition, students are taught that karate skills are for art, sport and self-defense, ONLY!  Inappropriate use of karate skills is strictly prohibited.  H.C.K. instructors work very closely with parents and teachers on any attitude, confidence, discipline or academic issues.

Class Rules:

1. All instructors and assistants must be called "Mr.", "Mrs., "Sir" or "Ma'am".
2. Students should arrive 10 minutes prior to scheduled class start time.
3. Unless prior arrangements have been made, late students will not receive class credit.   Exceptions may be made by the instructor in extreme situations.
4. Horseplay before, during, or after class is not permitted.
5. Students must sign in with the instructor prior to class in order to receive credit for the class.
6. Once the child has signed in he will not be allowed to leave the building without permission or a parent.
7. Students must wear their complete uniform (see below) to all classes.
8. For safety reasons, students may not wear jewelry (earrings, watches, rings, necklaces, etc) during class.
9. No talking in class.  Students with questions must raise their hand.
10. For safety and to enable students to focus, class spectators (siblings, parents, etc.) must remain "quietly" outside the training area.
11. Karate is to be practiced only in class and at home with permission.

Uniforms:

Class Uniforms:
All students must wear an all white karate uniform with an elastic waistband to participate in class.  Uniforms can be purchased from the instructor. 

By the second week of receiving their uniform, junior students must have their FIRST name put on the back of their uniform top in 2" BLACK BLOCK letters (other styles and colors are not acceptable).  This must be done professionally (no hand printing or painting) with vinyl letters or embroidery.

Uniforms must be kept clean and neat.  The uniform should be washed in cold water, however never wash the belt regardless of how dirty it gets.  Students must wear their complete uniform to class (top, pants and belt).  Before or after class, it is proper to wear the uniform pants and a t-shirt.  Never wear the top without the belt and/or uniform pants.  The karate uniform should only be worn in class and at karate events.  Uniforms should not be worn while shopping, playing sports, eating, etc.

Click here for instruction on how to tie the uniform and belt.

Tournament Uniforms:
A special tournament uniform can be purchased and worn at specific times by any orange belt or above student.  Junior students must have their FIRST name put on the back of this uniform top in 2" BLACK BLOCK letters (other styles and colors are not acceptable).

The tournament uniform may be worn at the following times:
   * any tournament
   * in class 4 weeks prior to an A.S.K. or H.C.K. tournament
   * rank tests
   * special functions and seminars

Red Belt Uniforms:
First degree red belts will receive and wear a red uniform upon passing their test.  Third degree red belts will receive and wear a black uniform upon passing their test.  The junior student's first name should be put on the back of the uniform in 2" BLOCK letters. Black letters should be used on the red uniform and white letters should be used on the black uniform (other styles and colors are not acceptable).

Patches:

Only H.C.K. approved patches are to be worn on the uniform.  The A.S.K. patch (student's left side) is awarded to the student upon earning the yellow belt.  The H.C.K. patch (student's right side) is awarded to the student up earning the orange belt. There are two other patches that students may be eligible for and wish to purchase:

Academic Patch:
This patch can be purchased and worn by any junior student who has a core average of 90% or above and good conduct grades for an entire school year.  There are 4 levels of the Academic patch.  The patch is sewn on the student's left uniform sleeve 1 inch below the shoulder seam.  If a student earns a 2nd through 4th level patch, it must replace the current patch on the left sleeve.

Black Ace Patch:
This patch can be purchased and worn by any junior student who places first in three H.C.K. or A.S.K. tournaments within a 1 year period.  There are 5 levels of the Black Ace patch.  The patch is sewn on the student's right uniform sleeve, 1 inch below the shoulder seam.  If a student earns a 2nd through 5th level patch, it must replace the current patch on the right sleeve.

View patches & patch placement:

Class Outline:

Karate training is divided into three groups: art, sport, self-defense.

Art:
The art portion of the junior class consists of learning the kicks, punches and strikes portion of the martial arts.  The first 4-5 classes and the last 2-3 classes of each session focus strongly on techniques.

Sport:
The sport portion consists of "sparring" which is taught as a "game of tag" utilizing very light contact.  Children are taught to use their martial arts kicks, punches and strikes to score points against a competitor.  All junior students wear protective gear which is provided by the instructor while sparring.   The sparring portion of a session lasts from 3-4 classes.

Self-defense:
With the junior students the self-defense aspect of the martial arts develops from a combination of learning both the art and sport aspects.  In addition to the training in class, a self-defense day camp (see below) designed specifically for children is held once each year during the spring session.

Equipment Requirements:

The only equipment in addition to their uniform a junior student will be required to have is a mouth guard and a cup/supporter (boys only).  When sparring, all junior students are required to wear protective head and hand gear.  These are always provided by the instructor for both in-class sparring and at tournaments.   However, for health concerns, parents may wish to purchase sparring equipment for their child.  All equipment can be ordered from the instructor or by e-mail (See Equipment).  The following is a suggested list of equipment that parents can purchase for their child:

Yellow Belt - Shin/Instep Gear
Orange Belt - Hand Gear
Green Belt - Head Gear
Blue Belt - Shield for Head Gear

Optional Activities:

In order to develop our student's confidence, H.C.K offers a variety of optional activities throughout the year which enable the students to achieve individual accomplishments.  Since martial arts training requires a tremendous amount of repetitive practice, these activities also assist in maintaining the student's excitement and interest in learning.  There is an extra charge for all optional activities. These activities fall into the following categories:

Junior Karate Camps:
Junior karate day camps are designed to provide junior students with a chance to experience additional aspects of the martial arts not taught during regular class hours.   There is one camp per session and students earn class hours for attending. All camps are closely supervised by adults and parents are welcome to stay if they choose.  There are three types of camps held each year:

• Weapons Camp (winter & fall sessions) - Students are instructed in the martial arts weapons like nunchucka, sai and bo staff.  Safety foam/rubber weapons are used.  They are taught the history, safety and proper use of these weapons.

• Self-Defense Camp (spring session) -  Students are taught abduction awareness and self-defense techniques designed specifically for children.  This camp includes lectures, tools and targets against an adult attacker, power techniques, etc.

• Judo Camp (summer session) - Judo is the martial art which consists of throwing techniques for self-defense and learning how to fall properly to prevent injuries.  This camp is good for children since they are prone to fall during other sports such as bike riding, soccer, football and in general playing.

Tournaments:

H.C.K. hosts tournaments 5 times each year.  Tournament participation is a requirement for students wishing to advance in rank (belt color).   Junior students compete at tournaments with others of the same age, size, gender and belt color.  

The rules for sparring at tournaments are the same as those followed in class.  Children are provided with special head gear containing a face shield at tournaments and contact to the face shield is allowed.  As in class, tournament sparring is "light contact only."  Excessive force anywhere on the body will result in automatic disqualification.

• "Winners Tournaments" - The regular tournament held each session is considered a "Winners Tournament".  Children are placed in a division of two and fight once for 1st or 2nd place.  Every child receives an award which will either be a trophy or plaque.

• "Best of The Best" - This tournament is a challenging single elimination tournament where students are placed in divisions of eight or less competitors.  The students in each division compete down to 1st and 2nd place.   Large trophies are awarded for 1st and 2nd place, while smaller awards (trophies or medals) are given to the students eliminated in earlier rounds.

Awards Ceremony & Martial Arts Show:

Once each year (normally in May) H.C.K. produces an Awards Ceremony & Martial Arts Show.  Adult karate students who have passed their Black Belt Test are honored at this special event.  Prior to awarding the adult students with their Black Belt in a distinguished ceremony, instructors and students perform in an entertaining martial arts show.

Junior karate students take an active roll in both the ceremony and the martial arts show.  In addition, many children receive special recognition or special awards including Most Outstanding Student, Top Kick and Academic Achievement Certificates.

Rank System & Requirements:

Six Basic Requirements:
The following is a description of the six basic requirements for all levels of belt advancement with H.C.K.:

• Attitude - A good attitude is required at all times (karate class, school and home).

• Hours - The required hours at each level is listed.

• Tournament(s) - The student must participate in the required number of tournaments for each belt level.  Winning at tournaments is not required for advancement; participation and good sportsmanship are.

• Rules and Terms - An oral test will determine if the student has a good knowledge of the Jr. Karate Study Sheet History and Study Terms (see below).

• Physical Conditioning - Students will be required to complete a predetermined number of sit-ups and push-ups for each level.

• Techniques - This part of the test is the hardest part to achieve.   A set level of proficiency is required for each belt level, regardless of age, coordination, or physical ability.  Because of this requirement, some students will advance before others.  Each student can achieve a higher level, but might have to train longer than another child in order to become efficient at executing the required techniques.

Junior Study Terms:
The following are the terms and history which junior students are required to know for rank advancement:

The founder of modern day karate was a man named FUNAKOSHI.   Karate began in the country of INDIA in the year 500 A.D.   Karate is a Japanese word that means EMPTY HANDS.  The most important part of karate is CONDITIONING.  Karate is divided into three groups:  ART, SPORT, and SELF-DEFENSE.   The art part of karate is made up of formal exercises called KATA.   The most important parts of kata are BREATHING and TENSION.   The goals of karate are to train your MIND, BODY and SPIRIT.  The belt rating system for Juniors in our program is WHITE, YELLOW, ORANGE, GREEN, BLUE, PURPLE, 3 degrees of PURPLE, RED and 3 levels of RED.  The belt rating system for adults is WHITE, YELLOW, ORANGE, GREEN, BLUE, PURPLE, BROWN, 3 degrees of BROWN, BLACK and 7 Levels of BLACK.  It takes the average person (adult) 3-5 years to obtain a Black Belt.  Karate is made up of different types of KICKS, PUNCHES and STRIKES.  JUDO is made up of different THROWING TECHNIQUES.  The style of karate that you will be studying is AMERICAN KARATE.  The father of karate in the United States was a man named ED PARKER.  The most important aspect of your training is having a GOOD ATTITUDE.  The most important parts of sparring are TIMING and DISTANCE.

Level Requirements:

Yellow Belt - Minimum 10-12 class hours, entered at least 1 karate tournament, 30 situps, 30 pushups and knowledge of all karate rules and terms.   Techniques:  Fighting Stance, Side Kick, Roundhouse Kick, Back Fist Strike and Punch.

Orange Belt - Minimum 10-12 class hours, entered at least 1 karate tournament as a Yellow Belt, 60 situps, 60 pushups and knowledge of all karate rules and terms.  Techniques:  All of the above, Knife Hand Strike, Back Ridge Hand Strike, Front Kick, Double Roundhouse Kick, hand and kicking combinations.

Green Belt - Minimum 10-12 class hours, entered at least 1 karate tournament as an Orange Belt, 75 situps, 75 pushups and knowledge of all karate rules and terms.   Techniques:  All of the above, Hook Kick, Hook Kick-Roundhouse, Lead Ridge Hand, hand and kicking combinations.

Blue Belt - Minimum 20-24 class hours, entered at least 2 karate tournaments as a Green Belt, 90 situps, 90 pushups and knowledge of all karate rules and terms.   Techniques:  All of the above, Crescent Kick, Jump Front Kick and Spinning Back Kick, hand and kicking combinations.

1st Degree Purple Belt - Minimum 20-24 class hours, entered at least 2 karate tournaments as a Blue Belt, 100 situps, 100 pushups and knowledge of all karate rules and terms.  Techniques:  All of the above, Jump Hook Kick, Jump Side Kick and Turning Hook Kick. 

2nd Degree Purple Belt - Minimum 20-24 class hours, entered at least 2 karate tournaments as a 1st Degree Purple Belt, 125 situps, 125 pushups and knowledge of all karate rules and terms.  Techniques:  All of the above, Back Roundhouse Kick, Reverse Crescent Kick and Jab.

3rd Degree Purple Belt - Minimum 20-24 class hours, entered at least 2 karate tournaments as a 2nd Degree Purple Belt, 150 situps, 150 pushups and knowledge of all karate rules and terms.  Techniques:  All of the above, Flying Side Kick, Spinning Crescent Kick and Hook Punch.

1st Level Red Belt - Minimum 30-36 class hours, entered at least 3 karate tournaments as a 3rd Degree Purple Belt, 200 situps, 200 pushups, run 1 mile, 250 word essay on "Attitude", "B" average in school, "A" in conduct in school, design a Kata (30 techniques) and knowledge of all karate rules and terms.   Techniques:  All of the above, Turning Jump Crescent Kick, Jump Spinning Crescent Kick and Forward Stance.

2nd Level Red Belt - Minimum 30-36 class hours, entered at least 3 karate tournaments as a 1st Level Red Belt, 200 situps, 200 pushups, run 1 mile, 300 word essay on "Leadership" and knowledge of all karate rules and terms.  Techniques:   All of the above, Jump Spinning Back Kick, Lunge Punch and Down Block.

3rd Level Red Belt - Minimum 30-36 class hours, entered at least 3 karate tournaments as a 2nd Level Red Belt, 200 situps, 200 pushups, run 1 mile, 300 word essay on "How Karate Has Affected Your Life" and knowledge of all karate rules and terms.  Techniques:  All of the above, Jump Spinning Hook Kick and H-Form 1.