How to teach Kihon

While teaching a beginners group, I recommend that you exercise (Tsuki-Punching, Uke-Blocking, Keri-Kicking) from a standing position first. This way the students can focus on the upper body move or on the foot move (Keri) only.

In this phase, it is very important to concentrate on the exact target point such as Gedan, Chudan or Jodan.

To keep things isolated, I also recommend that at the beginning, exercise stepping forwards and backwards without any upper body. This way the student can focus on proper weight distribution of the stance, and this only.

Once the student has a certain level of confidence with these basics, upper and lower body should be combined. However, I would recommend that the student always go back to exercising new techniques in this isolated way, even for just a few minutes.  Even an advanced Karateka will also benefit from this upper and lower body isolation.

An important point for Kihon training is to concentrate on long moves. Long moves train balance, coordination and help to exercise the use of the hip. In addition, the student will gain a better understanding of power, acceleration, speed and Kime.

Kihon training is basic training and therefore it is of most importance to focus on the 100% correct execution of the technique.  A very good example would be Mawashi Geri:

During Kihon training, Mawashi Geri is initiated by lifting the knee up on the side of your body. Turn on your heel and execute the snapping of the leg with your hip moving all the way throughout the long distance from the side of your body to the front where the target is. The common version just to lift up the leg in the front (not on the side of your body) and just to snap the leg is a Kumite execution and has no place in Kihon training. This way of execution in Kumite has its place for tactical reasons, but does not belong in basic training. Lifting the leg sideward on your body, turning your supporting foot, using the hip and the snap of the leg will teach the student proper balance and hip movement. This is what Kihon training is for. Tactical training is different from basic training.

Another important point is the lining up of the group.  I recommend that a group stand as close together as possible (of course without the danger of people running into each other). Standing close together creates a more competitive environment between the students. The speed and power of the right or left partner is an important motivation that all students will benefit from. This will also lift their spirit. If people stand too far apart from each other, they will not be able to feel their neighbor’s spirit and will not feel the need to compete.

The next point is the voice and the way the instructor counts. The tone of voice and proper way of counting with commands are an important tool to motivate and lead a group.

My last and probably most important point is information at the right time.  It is very important for an instructor to learn what kind of information at what time to give to what student.  Too much information, too early will burry the student and will cause the student to over-think. However, not providing enough information and the student will not be challenged enough and will be bored.

Inexperienced instructors tend to overload new students with too much information. Sometimes it is much better to physically correct a student’s mistake.  An example would be pushing his hand up or down to correct his punch to the right target area rather than disrupt him as well as the group with words. Sometimes less is more. Karate can only be learned through the body, through physically doing it and words can help but not necessarily speed up the long process of burning a move into the body.

Too much information will make it more difficult for the student to focus on the main important points.

It is important to remember:

• Isolate upper and lower body

• Execute techniques to the proper target area: Jodan, Chudan, and Gedan

• Basic training is not Kumite training, therefore execute all techniques 100% correctly

• Long moves

• Nurture a healthy competitive atmosphere in the dojo

• Use strong voice and proper counting to motivate and lead the group

• The right information at the right time