Our club was established in January 2006 by Chief Instructor Bill Gorthy (7th Dan), who started his karate career with Dempsey\u2019s Karate School in Dundee, Scotland under the KUS\/North which was affiliated to the JKA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bill has studied Shotokan Karate for 50 years and has trained with many renowned Japanese masters. Since forming in 2006, the club has grown in numbers and also attracted former Shotokan karateka from across the island. We are an independent non-profit making club with no political interference from outside bodies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Our black belts are registered with NAKMAS (National governing body) are fully qualified Instructors and are registered to teach Shotokan Karate,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
they also hold First aid certificates and are DBS checked and registered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We are affiliated with Traditional Shotokan Karate Association Sensei Peter Manning (8th Dan) Chairman\/Chief Instructor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Shotokan Karate is not about breaking bricks and pieces of wood. It is a highly developed physical martial art that makes use of all parts of the body in a dynamic system of self-defense. It is a Japanese fighting system that is made up of three parts as follows;<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These are the basic fundamentals that everyone learns and practices when training in the dojo. They comprise punches, blocks, kicks, and stances. Every student receives a training syllabus relevant to their level of knowledge already attained and also the next level of what is to be studied and practiced for their next belt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These basic fundamentals are generally practiced within the group at normal training sessions along with other students. New students would normally take a few lessons to be able to coordinate basic techniques with movement, but they should not be put off by this as we were all the same when we first started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kata is comprised of a series of moves and techniques arranged in set sequences in which many defensive and counter\/offensive techniques are employed through the range of stances against imaginary opponents. They are performed on one\u2019s own, therefore the student performing the particular kata will practice each move as a group, but independent of one another. Once the student fully understands the kata they are then taught the Bunkai (self-defense) techniques within the kata. This is generally performed with a partner or in a small group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The kumite we practice in Shotokan is always well controlled. This is what sets us apart from many other styles of karate and makes us more deadly as opponents. We recognise and understand the power that Shotokan techniques bring and we accept responsibility for that power. Students of Shotokan karate practice extreme control at all times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are four main types of kumite that we practice, which are;<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gohan Ippon Kumite \u2013 five-step sparring<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sanbon Ippon Kumite \u2013 three-step sparring<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kihon Ippon Kumite \u2013 one-step sparring<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jiyu Ippon Kumite \u2013 freestyle sparring<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Each of these levels has been developed to introduce the student gradually to attain a greater understanding of kumite in a controlled way.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Club History Our club was established in January 2006 by Chief Instructor Bill Gorthy (7th Dan), who started his karate career with Dempsey\u2019s Karate School in Dundee, Scotland under the KUS\/North which was affiliated to the JKA. Bill has studied Shotokan Karate for 50 years and has trained with many renowned Japanese masters. Since forming in …<\/p>\n