WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW TO EARN MY FIRST BELT?

—Stances

—Blocks

—Hand & Elbow strikes

—Kicks

You will need to know the basics, which include stances, blocks, hand & elbow strikes, and kicks.  You will also need to know your white belt katas and 3 simple self-defense moves.  That's it!

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HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE ME TO REACH MY FIRST BELT?

4 months, give or take.  Students who come to class regularly don't take as long as students who miss classses.

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE FOR ME TO EARN MY BLACK BELT?

5–8 years.  Young children take longer.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD I PRACTICE?

It's better to practice 10 minutes a day than practicing for hours but only once a month.

WHAT ARE THOSE COLORED STRIPES ON PEOPLE'S BELTS?

Each student must earn 5 belt stripes to be invited to test.

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DOES RED SUN ACADEMY ATTEND TOURNAMENTS?

In the past, we have competed in many tournaments, and our students have done amazingly well.  In recent years, we've become a bit disillutioned over the way tournaments are run.  We are more focused on self-defense and fitness than on sport.

IF I NEED HELP, WHAT DO I DO?

Seek an upper rank before or after class.  You will find that they are eager to help.  Another option is to schedule a private lesson with Sensei.

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IF I'M OUT FOR A WEEK (DUE TO BEING SICK OR TAKING VACATION), WHAT DO I DO?

That's fine, just let Sensei know.  If you miss a class here and there, you do not need to let Sensei know.  However, if you miss a week or more of classes, you need to let Sensei know.

WHEN DO I BOW?

DO I KEEP MY EYES LOWERED WHEN I BOW, OR DO I LOOK AT THE PERSON I'M BOWING TO?

Bow when you enter & leave the dojo, and before & after class. You also bow when you see Sensei or any other black belt, whether it’s in the dojo or out on the street.

Students bow to each other before sparring and when partnered up prior to doing drills. Eyes are lowered in greetings. Eyes are on each other when martial combat is involved.

HOW DO I ADDRESSS BLACK BELTS IN THE DOJO AND OUT IN PUBLIC?

You say "Sir" or "Ma'am", or you simply bow.  It is the same way out in public.

WHEN DO I SPAR?

WHEN DO I NEED TO PURCHASE SPARRING GEAR?

White belts don't spar, but they do sparring drills during class.  Yellow belts spar, but with no contact.  Start to get your sparring gear soon after you earn your yellow belt.

WHAT IS CONSIDERED RUDE IN THE MARTIAL ARTS?

Not trying / Giving up.

Poor attendance.

Not showing respect to others.

Frequently arriving to class late.

Walking off during class without asking.

Leaving your shoes messy.

Asking to test.

Having a stinky gi (!!)

Wearing jewelry in class.

Accepting an object with 1 hand.

Having your unworn belt touch floor.

Coming to class sick!

Acting too informal during class.

Not yielding to senior ranks.

Messing with equipment without asking.

Long fingernails or toenails.

Never participating in any academy events.

Not responding to teacher.

Taking martial art classes at other schools.

Strongly comparing yourself with others.

Not responding “Yes Sensei” “Yes Sir” or “Osu!”

Saying “yeah” while in class.

Questioning Sensei’s decision on who tests.

Running/yelling before or after class.

Showing back to Sensei in a formal situation.

Sitting in class improperly (with legs spread out).

Not practicing when your are sent off to the side to practice during class.

Fixing gi in class without turning around.

Correcting upper ranks.

Always borrowing (gear/weapons), never purchasing.

Quitting without notifying Sensei.

WHAT IS A TEST LIKE?

You may be testing by yourself, or with other students.  Sensei rarely tests more than 5 students at one time so that each individual student gets the focus they each deserve.

Sensei calls each student up one at a time from upper ranks to lower ranks.  Once your name is called, you stand before Sensei in Junbi (which is 'Ready Stance') and wait for Sensei to tell you what to do.  You may be asked a knowledge question (for example, Sensei may ask you "What country does karate come from?"), or you may be asked to perform a kick, an elbow strike, a self-defense move, a board break, etc.

Before your test begins, you are already graded for your attidude and attendance.

A white belt who is testing by himself typically takes about 15 to 20 minutes to test.  As the ranks become more advanced, the test takes longer.  A black belt test can take a couple of hours.

You will not be invited to test unless Sensei is confident that you are ready to test.

WHEN DO I LEARN THE JAPANESE WORDS?

White belts do not need to know the Japanese, Korean or Chinese words.  However, as you hear the Asian words over and over again in class, you will be naturally learning them.  When you test for your yellow belt, you will not be asked any Asian words.  When you test for your oragne belt, you will start to be tested for some of the basic Asian words.  As you test for higher ranks, you will need to know more of the Asian terminology.

HOW DO I LEAVE THE ACADEMY?

It is considered rude to simply quit without letting your Sensei know.  The most honorable way to leave the academy is to let Sensei know in person.  However, if you've only been training for a couple of months, a phone call will do, or an email.  Sending a text is rather cold.