The fourth level Heian has 27 counts and has many similarities to Heian Nidan. The kata’s primary stance is kokutsu-dachi (back stance), but students first learning this kata must also contend with the new kosa-dachi, a cross stance that is quite awkward for most karateka. H4 introduces the student to many new techniques such as kosa-uke, shuto-uchi, kakiwake-uke, mae-empi, and hiza-tsuchi. To perform Heian Yondan also has more kicks (5) than the other Heian kata. Slow moves must also be mastered in this kata. Much of Heian Yondan involves double-hand techniques, with morote-uke (double-hand block) occurring more than any other technique. Obviously, morote-uke was held in high regard during this kata’s creation. #jka#sajka#pinetownjka#kznjka#karinprinsloo#kata#bunkai#shotokan#stacyurger#greenbelt#karate
References: Stacy Unger
To be able to teach young children karate, the instructors will need to understand something about child development and structure the classes in such a way as to accommodate, compliment and reinforce this.
A good warm up can be used to address a lot of these important aspects.
The following needs to be taken into consideration:
Physical Development
Design warm ups for children not only for preparing the body for karate, but to improve skills such as coordination, agility, speed, power, core strength and flexibility.
Intellectual Development
The young child’s mind is like sponge when it comes to soaking up information. They love learning new things. Remembering sequences, patterns and following instructions stimulates intellectual development. E.g. Performing the ladder drills while the line is moving fast, enhances focus and concentration.
Emotional Development
Young children relates better to “feel” rather than “reason”. Exercises must “feel” like fun to do. They still will be developing their understanding of feelings. This is a vitally important skill which will aid them in eventually becoming well-balanced adults. Instructors should show constant support and offer plenty of reassurance to the children, helping them to develop their confidence and sense of self.
Social Development
Any form of group learning or exercise is a “social experience”, wherein the young child will not only be learning the subject being taught, but also certain aspects of interpersonal skills and teamwork. This is where they learn about responsibility, discipline and good manners. To ”wait their turn” and use “please” and “thank you” (and “Oss”) etc. They will also learn about the appreciation of law and order.
In conclusion: Young children has energy, a short attention span, learn quickly and love games. This means train in a safe environment, short (30/45min), focus on “doing”, plenty variety and must be fun. Design and pre-plan your warm-ups around these aspects and great results will show..
Bowing is probably the feature of Japanese etiquette that is best known outside Japan, especially present in Japanese Martial Arts such as Karate.
Bowing is considered extremely important in Japan, so much so that, although children normally begin learning how to bow from a very young age, companies commonly provide training to their employees in how to execute bows correctly.
Basic bows are performed with the back straight and the hands at the sides (boys and men) or clasped in the lap (girls and women), and with the eyes down. Bows originate at the waist. Generally, the longer and deeper the bow, the stronger the emotion and the respect expressed.
Karrinyup Karate – 2 Nerita Way – Stirling Karate.
Like well known karate blogger, Jessie said, “To teach is to learn twice. When you teach something to others you are forced to rethink your understanding of it.”
Einstein said: “If you can’t explain it to a 5 year old, you don’t understand it well enough”
Karate provides a lot of mental and intellectual stimulation over and above the physical benefits. To have a deeper understanding of karate technique will most certainly add to your enjoyment of the art. Teaching karate will force you to explain why and how techniques were designed to work, especially when a 6 year old puts you on the spot!
I have seen the benefits of seniors teaching in our dojo over the last 20 years. It is part of our dojo culture to teach at least once a week when you receive your shodan.
This is what it’s achieving:
Young adults (and older ones) learning to take responsibility, build self esteem, become leaders and give back.
Learning twice, re think karate. Remembering and executing karate better and become better karate-ka.
Establishing a culture of friendship and caring for fellow dojo members which builds camaraderie and spirit.
I would love to know what you learn from teaching karate in the comments section below. What do you learn from teaching karate?
Whether you are competing in karate, do kumite sparring or defending yourself, nobody like to be kicked in the head! It’s not only dangerous but humiliating.
A. The first part of the video is about a nice little 3 point drill that helps you defend a front foot maswashi geri to the face.
1. Move towards the kick, break the line, counter attack kezame tsuki
2. Move back to block and counter gyaku tsuki
3. The opponent delivers an ushiro mawashi geri and defending by moving towards the closed side of the opponent , keeping close while countering gyaku tsuki.
In your training session let the opponent perform two front foot maswashi geris and one front foot ushiro mawashi geri to the target standing still. Secondly provide a moving target. Thirdly let the opponent move into the correct directions. Fourthly apply block and counter attacking.
B. The second part of the video is some ideas around defending against a front foot mawashi while sweeping the opponent’s supporting leg. Be sure to keep your defence up when approaching with the sweep.
Bowing is probably the feature of Japanese etiquette that is best known outside Japan, especially present in Japanese Martial Arts such as Karate.
teach at least once a 
week when you receive your shodan.