GREEN BELT

Home - Explore RDK - RDK Karate Path - Green Black Belt

Green Belt: "Harmony" (Wa) represents the idea that all elements in one's karate training should work together in a harmonious manner, just like all elements in nature work together to create balance and stability. This philosophy emphasizes the importance of balancing technical proficiency with mental and physical discipline, as well as balancing individual pursuits with the needs of the group. As a green belt, one is expected to strive for this harmony in all aspects of their karate training and personal life, continually working towards creating a harmonious balance that leads to growth and success.

Green Belt RKD Karate Grading 

Purpose:

Green Belt in RKD Karate: A level of mastery where the focus shifts to building on the foundational techniques and principles learned at the lower belt levels and incorporating more advanced techniques and strategies into the training. This includes learning new techniques, such as advanced strikes and kicks, as well as advanced sparring techniques and self-defense strategies. The green belt signifies the first sign of strength and mastery in the martial art, and the practitioner is expected to continually work towards creating a harmonious balance between technical proficiency, mental and physical discipline, and individual pursuits.

Grading Procedure:

1. Opening/Closing Procedure (Hakkai Shiki)

• Line Up (Kiosuke)

• Formal Seated Postion (Seiza)

• Meditation (Mokuso)

• Stop Meditation (Mokuso Yama)

• Bow to the Founder (Sensei Bayliss ni Rei)

• Bow to the Instructor (Sensei ni Rei)

• Bow to your training partners (Otagai ni Rei)

• Rise (Tate)

2. Wake Up (Shinzen Undo) 

• Wake up – 4x30sec breath, balance, wiggle, rotate - 2 minutes

3. Warm Up (Jumbi Undo)

• Personal warm up routine - 2 minutes

• Strength & Breath – push-ups, sit ups, squats - 30count/30sec each exercise

• Personal stretch routine - 2 minutes

4. Basic Techniques (Kihon)

All basics to be performance in kumite Dachi-Jodan no Kami (fighting stance upper guard). 

• Striking Techniques (Uchi Waza): Backfist Strike (Uraken Uchi). Performed from Heiko Dachi.

• Kicking techniques (Keri Waza): Side Kick (Yoko Geri), Back Kick (Ushio Geri). Performed from Kumite Dachi, Jodan no Kamai.  5 x slow, 5 x fast, first right leg leading, then left.  

• Moving Basic Kicking (Ido Kihon Keri): Front, roundhouse, and side.  All kicks to be performance in Kumite Dachi-Jodan no Kami (fighting stance upper guard).  6 kicks moving forward, mawate (turn), 6 kicks going back, mawate, using Aumi Ashi, 2 rounds first round medium pace, second round fast.

5. Forms (Kata)

• Ku no Meishō (Mastery of Emptiness)

6. Fighting (Kumite)

• Ippon Yokusoku Kumite (One Attack Prearranged Fighting): Defense against Jodan Zuki and Mae Geri.

• Jiyu Awase kumite (Co-ordinated continuous free sparring, 50% power) - 3 x 2min rounds

7. Presentation of Rank (Dan ni Rei)

The presentation of belts at a karate grading is called "dan ni rei" in Japanese. It signifies mastery, recognizes progress and achievements, and is a moment of recognition and celebration. Bowing to receive the belt is a sign of respect and helps maintain tradition and discipline. Receiving a new belt marks progress in training and encourages continued growth and development.

Kicking is an integral aspect of RKD Karate, a feature of Green Belt, and is a key component of many traditional karate forms and techniques. In RKD Karate, kicking is seen as a powerful tool for both offense and defense, allowing practitioners to deliver devastating strikes while also providing a means of deflecting and avoiding attacks. Whether used to deliver a finishing blow or to create space and control the distance between opponents, kicking is an essential aspect of RKD Karate that requires skill, control, and precision.

Training to improve your kicking in RKD Karate requires a combination of physical and mental preparation. Physically, it is important to build strength and flexibility in the legs and hips, as these are the primary power centers for most kicks. To build leg strength, you can practice exercises such as squats, lunges, and calf raises, as well as incorporating plyometrics and jumping exercises into your training routine. To improve hip flexibility, you can perform stretches such as the butterfly stretch, hip flexor stretch, and seated straddle stretch.

In addition to physical preparation, mental preparation is also important for improving your kicks in RKD Karate. This involves focusing on proper technique, developing a sense of balance and control, and training your mind to react instinctively and effectively in the moment. To develop these skills, you can practice kicking drills, perform slow, controlled movements, and visualize yourself executing kicks successfully in real world scenarios.

Another important aspect of training to improve your kicks in RKD Karate is to incorporate sparring and partner drills into your routine. These drills allow you to apply your kicks in a more realistic and dynamic setting, helping you to build confidence, control, and accuracy in your movements. When practicing with a partner, you can also receive feedback and make adjustments to your technique, further refining your kicks and improving your overall performance.

In conclusion, kicking is an essential aspect of RKD Karate and requires a combination of physical and mental preparation to master. Whether used for offense or defense, kicking is a powerful tool that requires skill, control, and precision. By incorporating strength and flexibility training, mental preparation, and sparring and partner drills into your routine, you can take your kicking to the next level and become a more effective and confident practitioner of RKD Karate.