Guidelines and Training Information

What You Need to Know Before You Start

Before stepping onto the mat, here are some essential guidelines to follow to ensure safety, respect, and readiness in your karate journey:

• Personal Preparation
  • Hygiene: Fingers and toenails must be clean and short to prevent injuries.
  • Attire: Wear the proper LBKI uniform, which should always be neat and tidy. Your appearance reflects on both you and our club.
  • Accessories: To avoid accidents, jewellery, watches, metal hair clips, and plastic hairbands should not be worn during training.
• Dojo Etiquette
  • Valuables: Do not leave your valuables in the Dojo. We cannot be responsible for lost or stolen items.
  • Conduct During Classes: Maintain silence and focus during all karate classes. This includes turning off your mobile phones or setting them to silent mode.
  • Attendance: Please inform us in advance if you cannot attend a scheduled session.
  • Safety: Children are not allowed to run inside the club when not participating in classes. Always inform the instructor of any medical conditions or injuries before training begins.
• Uniform Guidelines
  • Maintenance: Keep your uniform clean and ensure that sleeves and pant lengths are appropriate—neither too long nor too short.
  • Dress Code: Coloured T-shirts or sweatshirts are not permitted during training. Only girls and women may wear a white T-shirt underneath their uniform for modesty.
  • Dojo Badges: Badges must be worn correctly; refer to the ‘Uniform and Badges’ section for proper placement.
• Communication
  • Enquiries: Please direct any non-training-related questions to the appropriate channels rather than during class. This helps maintain the focus and efficiency of training sessions. For all other queries, use the official email: support@lbkikarate.com.au.
• What to Bring
  • Essentials: Always carry a towel, water bottle, and protective gear.
  • Health: If you have asthma or other medical conditions requiring medication, bring your inhalers or medication to every session.

Uniform and Dress Code

General Expectations

• Members must wear LBKI-approved uniforms to all sessions to uphold the club’s high dress standards.
• Cleanliness and neatness are essential; please ensure your uniform is clean and well-maintained for every class.
• All attire worn to sessions should include the appropriate Dogi with the club badge and the belt awarded by the association unless otherwise specified by the Club Instructor.
  
  

Uniform Specifications

• Shirt and Pants: Ensure that shirt lengths cover the hips and that sleeves and pant legs are tailored to the correct size — not merely folded but properly sewn to fit.
• Hair and Jewellery: Long hair must be kept tidy and secured back. All types of jewellery, including rings, earrings, and watches, must be removed before training to ensure safety during sparring and self-defence practices.
• Nails: Keep fingernails and toenails trimmed to avoid injuries to yourself or others during training.
  
  

Specific Guidelines for Boys/Men

• Wear the standard LBKI Karate uniform with the club badge.
• A white t-shirt may be worn under the uniform shirt.
• Extra pants should not be worn underneath the Karate pants.

Specific Guidelines for Girls/Women

• The standard LBKI Karate uniform with the club badge is mandatory.
• A white t-shirt may be worn under the uniform shirt.
• Black or white tights may be worn under Karate pants.
• For those wearing them for religious reasons, plain black pull-on headscarves are allowed.
• Use only black or white hair ties; metallic clips and headbands are prohibited.

Seasonal Variations

• During the warmer months from December to March, LBKI training t-shirts may replace the standard uniform shirt for training purposes.

This uniform policy ensures that all students train in a safe, professional, and respectful environment. Compliance with these guidelines reflects your dedication to the discipline and community of our club.

Safety Protocols for Sparring and Self-Defence Classes

General Safety Requirements

• Protective Equipment: Participants must always wear LBKI-approved protective gear during sparring and self-defence drills. With the proper equipment, entry into these activities is allowed.
• Hygiene: All participants must ensure their fingernails and toenails are trimmed short to prevent injuries during physical contact.
• Attire and Accessories: It is essential to remove any metallic or hard objects that could cause injury to others, such as jewellery.
• Vision Safety: Participants who require prescription glasses must use safety glasses during activities. Regular eyeglasses are not allowed as they pose a risk during physical exercises.

Mandatory Gear Post-First Grading

After completing your first grading, you are required to purchase the official LBKI Karate Kit. This kit includes:

• Gloves
• Mouth guard
• Shin and foot protectors
• Chest guard 
• Groin guard (for male students)

These items are crucial for your continued participation in sparring and self-defence sessions and must be worn as directed to ensure your safety and compliance with our training standards.

Training Curriculum and Belt Progression

Belt Levels

Our curriculum is structured into ten progressive belt levels, culminating in the Black Belt. Students begin their journey as a White Belt and advance through the following levels:

• White Belt
• Yellow Belt
• Orange Belt
• Green Belt
• Blue Belt
• Purple Belt
• Brown Belt (4th Kyu)
• Brown Belt (3rd Kyu)
• Brown Belt (2nd Kyu)
• Brown Belt (1st Kyu)
• Black Belt

Training Components

The LBKI training program is comprised of four key components, each essential for developing well-rounded martial arts skills:

• Fundamentals: This component covers basic techniques such as blocking, punching, striking, and kicking. Regularly practising these fundamentals is crucial and must be executed with maximum concentration and effort.
• Kata: Kata involves a series of predetermined movements fighting against hypothetical attackers, armed or unarmed. It’s a physical exercise, a form of moving meditation, and a philosophical practice.
• Kumite: Our sparring sessions utilize a point system and adhere to the World Karate Federation (WKF) rules. This practice helps students apply their kata skills in a controlled competitive environment.
• Modern Self-Defense: Beyond traditional karate, our curriculum includes modern self-defence tactics that prepare students for real-world scenarios such as collar grabs, street fights, and other potential violent encounters. This training emphasizes the practical application of karate techniques for personal protection and anti-bullying.

By progressing through these levels and components, students develop both their physical abilities and their understanding of the philosophical aspects of karate, equipping them with skills for self-defence and personal growth.