MAINE SHOTOKAN KARATE ASSOCIATION
1ST KYU GRADING EXERCISES - Brown Belt
| KIHON | |
| ZENKUTSU DACHI – GEDAN BARAI | (Front Stance – Low Block) |
| FORWARD: MAE GERI - JUN TSUKI SANBON | (Jo-Chu-Chu) 5 TIMES (Front Kick - Combination Punches) |
| FORWARD: MAWASHI GERI–GYAKU TSUKI SANBON | (Chu-Jo-Chu) 5 TIMES (Roundhouse Kick-Reverse Combination Punches) |
| FORWARD: GYAKU TSUKI – MAE GERI – JUN TSUKI – GEDAN BARAI | 3 TIMES (Reverse Punch - Front Kick - Front punch - low Block) |
| Turn and repeat: GYAKU TSUKI – MAE GERI – JUN TSUKI – GEDAN BARAI | 3 TIMES |
| ZENKUTSU DACHI GAMAE | (Front Stance) |
| FORWARD: MAE KIZAMI GERI – MAWASHI GERI | 3 TIMES (Forward leg, Front Kick-Roundhouse Kick) |
| Turn and repeat: MAE KIZAMI GERI – MAWASHI GERI | 3 TIMES |
| FORWARD: MAE MAWASHI GERI -YOKO GERI KEKOMI | 3 TIMES (Forward Leg, Roundhouse Kick-Side Thrust Kick) |
| Turn and repeat: MAE MAWASHI GERI -YOKO GERI KEKOMI | 3 TIMES |
| FORWARD: KIZAMI YOKO GERI KEKOMI – USHIRO GERI | 3 TIMES (Forward Leg, Side Thrust Kick-Back Kick) |
| Turn and repeat: KIZAMI YOKO GERI KEKOMI – USHIRO GERI | 3 TIMES |
| KIBA DACHI GAMAE | (Straddle Leg Stance) |
| FORWARD: YOKO GERI KEAGE –YOKO GERI KEKOMI | 3 TIMES (Side Snap Kick-Side Thrust Kick using the same leg) |
| Turn and repeat: YOKO GERI KEAGE –YOKO GERI KEKOMI | 3 TIMES |
| KATA | |
| Choose One: | BASSAI-DAI (Storm a Fortress) JION (Name of a Temple) ENPI (Flying Swallow) KANKU-DAI (Viewing the Sky) |
| KUMITE | |
| JIYU IPPON KUMITE (HIDARI/MIGI) | (Semi Free One Step Sparring) |
| ATTACK & DEFEND: | 2X JODAN, 2X CHUDAN, 2X MAE GERI |
| 1X YOKO GERI KEKOMI & 1X MAWASHI GERI | |
These forms of combinations require a high degree of skill. When delivering each technique, remember that the breath should coincide with each movement resulting in all the power being concentrated at the moment of impact, i.e., breathing in through the nose during motion, before driving the air down to the lower abdomen and out through the mouth and applying KIME to each technique within the combinations. In Kata, the movements should flow smoothly from one to the next while showing intention, attitude, concentration, and confidence. We move a stage further in Jiju Ippon Kumite where one must improve one’s ability to execute effective Body Evasion (TAI SABAKI) during defense, and fast, strong movements during attacks while learning to move with your opponent and thus achieving harmony with him. One must coordinate the opponent’s breathing, mind and Ki with your own, paying particular attention to distancing (MAAI) and finding his breathing rhythm.