Free Easter Holiday Kids Karate Class

If you are looking for something for the kids to do during the Easter Holidays, then why not bring them along to Wigginton Recreation Hall for a FREE karate class. The sessions are being run on Tuesday 2nd April from 9.30am to 11.15am for kids aged 8 to 11 years and Friday 5th April from 9.30am to 11.15am for kids aged 12 to 15 years.

Booking is essential. To find out more, or to book a place, email info@haxbykarate.co.uk or phone 0758 324 9115

visit www.haxbykarate.co.uk to receive a free training session. For more information email info@haxbykarate.co.uk

Children's Open Competition

Early on Saturday morning the Massey family set off of one of their now regular trips to Hucknall in Nottingham. Elizabeth was the only member of the club to put themselves forward for the Seibukan Children’s competition and must have been nervous on the way down. Her dad, Ian kindly agreed to act as our roving reporter, here is his report from the competition:

Children’s Open Competition 

9th March 2013

We weren’t sure what to expect when attending this competition. The fact that it was being held at the John Godber Centre (home of the black and brown belt courses), that the flier said to bring as many supporters as possible and that, out of all HSKC members, only Elizabeth was interested in attending, seemed to imply that it would be a much smaller event than the JKS Nationals held back in November.

So it was with some relief that, when we arrived quite early (more by luck than judgement), we managed to secure one of the last spaces in the car park and we were surprised by the number of people waiting outside the main hall to be let in.

Overall, there must have been close to one hundred children competing and enough spectators that all available seating was soon taken up and people were left standing against the walls and sitting on the floor. It looked as though the full age (5 to 15 years) and grade (beginner to a sole Dan Grade) ranges were represented (including some grades that I didn’t recognise). Clubs were represented from as far apart as Grimsby and Bristol (who must have set off incredibly early ) and included York and a representation from Selby that was so large that I believe they came by coach.

The day started with Sensei Alan explaining the nature and the purpose of the event – to give the children a chance to compete in a safe environment and to give them an experience of what competition is like. He introduced two of the younger members of the JKS England squad and explained that today’s competition was to be non-contact and that points would be scored for nearly landing a punch or kick and warnings given for too much contact, although I think this rule was relaxed slightly for the higher grades. He then took all the competitors to one side to give them a pep-talk and, I assume, explain what was going to happen throughout the competition.

Even though this was a “proper” competition, everything seemed to be done to put the children at ease (including giving one young competitor who, having been called up first for Kumite but deciding he didn’t want to compete because he hadn’t seen anybody else do it, the chance to watch for a while before making his final decision – he eventually decided to fight and, if I remember rightly, made it through to the next round). Some of the normal formalities were, if not dropped completely, relaxed slightly although handshakes and bows were insisted on. It seemed to me that the various categories had been filled as fairly as possible to give everybody a good chance in their events. With such wide variances in age and standards, there were the inevitable inadvertent humorous moments, as well as a few “aawww’s from the crowd, and one or two “ooo’s” when the higher grades started their Kumite sections. Inevitably with such a range of competitors there were one or two who got a little overwhelmed by the experience and a few tears and disappointed faces were seen but, overall, there was an incredible sense of spirit and competitiveness and the impression we got was that everybody enjoyed taking part.

As to Elizabeth specifically, despite being the only one there from Haxby she wasted no time in hooking up with a friend she has made when attending the brown and black belt courses and was soon chatting to other competitors as well, proving that these events have a social aspect as well. She even got herself involved in impromptu training sessions that other competitors were putting together between their events. It has to be said, for anybody who knows Elizabeth, that she showed exemplary behaviour throughout the day.

Sadly her first round curse reared its head again during the Kata section. Competing against a blue belt and performing Heian Yondan, her mind went blank during the middle section. She recovered and completed the Kata but her competitor was always going to win.

There was to be a further slight disappointment after Sensei Rebecca tried to draft Elizabeth in to compete in the team Kata event, alongside two girls from Selby, only for Sensei to be told that she couldn’t enter an extra team. Given that the Kata they planned to perform was Heian Yondan and that Elizabeth has, to my knowledge, never even practised team Kata that might have been a let off for the other two.

In the Kumite section Elizabeth was paired against a second kyu and the pair fought an incredible bout. It looked to us as though Elizabeth had taken the first point with a jodan strike as Sensei Paul, who we were closest to, awarded it to her, but other judges had seen a strike from her competitor who got the point. Elizabeth rallied and scored a point back and at the end of the bout it was one point each. With none of the judges able to split the competitors it went to extra time sudden death which, unfortunately, Elizabeth lost. No shame there, though, despite being a similar result to when she competed in the Nationals, this was the best Kumite we have seen from her.

Elizabeth showing the same Kumite spirit she always shows in the Dojo!

We weren’t sure whether Elizabeth had been entered for the team Kumite event but, checking with Sensei Wendy, found that she had been. Teams were selected on the day from the sixty children competing in this event. The higher grades were made team captains, with four team members behind them and each team had to pick and register a name. Elizabeth found herself captain of Team Stealth and was probably the youngest captain there. She relished the role, and was one of the few captains who didn’t have to be told to organise her team during the competition. Other team names included Team Tigers, Team Wolves, Karate Kids, Team JKS, Team Ninja (“I still can’t see you,” quipped Sensei Alan) and Skyfall who, along with Team Stealth, got a by into the second round and were then paired against each other. In this round, the higher grades fought each other first and Elizabeth was up against another, older (and taller) first kyu who beat her two points to zero with one jodan strike seeming to lift Elizabeth off mat and she is now proudly sporting a bruised chin. For this competition, the first team to win three bouts was declared the winner but after five bouts Team Stealth and Skyfall were tied with two wins and a draw each. To split them the two captains fought again, in a sudden death bout which Elizabeth’s opponent won. Skyfall eventually went on to come fourth overall, just missing out on a medal.

It was a long day but a really enjoyable one with some great performances to be seen. Well done to the various judges for managing to put the children at ease and to their team of helpers who ensured that, for the most part, things went smoothly.

* * *

I’m sure you’ll want to join me in thanking Ian for his excellent write up, and Elizabeth for doing such a good job of representing her club. She has done us all proud, who know, maybe next year Selby won’t be the only club to take a coach down to the competition!

visit www.haxbykarate.co.uk to receive a free training session. For more information email info@haxbykarate.co.uk

The adventures of Dojo - Chapter 4

It was going to be a tough job to look after Dojo, but someone had to to it!  This time Dexter rose to the challenge and here's what the pair got up to.


How do you keep a bear from talking?

By giving him his favourite food of course! and while he's eating it and can't talk, watch that film you've been dying to see for ages.

It was a risky move, but Dexter had it all sorted.  Dojo loves nothing better than talking all the way through films, giving away the plot before it happens and basically giving the directors pointers about how they could of made the film better if..........!

So the tactical popcorn move of giant proportions was guaranteed to give Dexter's ears some rest and there may have been some casualties in the chocolate button department too.

I hadn't told Dexter this but I never take Dojo bowling after our last experience.
He seemed  to find it funny that every time I got a strike he hit me ! Now I've told him time and time again that karate is only practised in the training hall and that when I scream (yes, scream as it doesn't often happen) strike, it's only because I've knocked all the pins down NOT that I'm expecting an attack!

I'm sure Dojo behaved as Dexter is one of the politest young men I know and probably has more skills in the bowling alley than myself .  It takes alot of hand and eye co-ordination something I'm sure that Dexter can teach Dojo.










Gosh....is that where Dexter lives ?


Looks like they both had a wonderful day out dragging the rest of the family around Castle Howard. I hope Dojo didn't make Dexter carry him all the way around, but he's still smiling when this picture was taken and to be honest it's really difficult to get a piggy back from Dojo... (or to get him to carry any of his own stuff!)






Haxby Karate Kids 6.30pm to 7.30pm Monday and Thursday


visit www.haxbykarate.co.uk to receive a free training session. For more information email info@haxbykarate.co.uk

Haxby Karate Kids Grading

What a week we had!

First the HSKC gradings on the Sunday, and then the HKK on Monday and Thursday.

The night started with all the children practising their grading syllabus.
I could tell straight away that they would all pass.  The attention, focus and spirit was there from the very start with everyone giving it all they had.

Sensei Mike and myself started with the children who had not graded before.  It takes a lot of courage to go first and have everyone watching you, especially being unsure whether or not you are doing it right!  Then it was the turn of those who had graded before.  These were aware of the standard required and knew that they had to give it 100%........which they did. Sensei Mike watched and commented on ways in which you excelled and those in which we could improve.

Then there were two left, Xander and Edward. Both were trying for their blue stripe.  Not only had they to do everything that had gone before but also had a more technical move, gedan bari (lower/downward block).  Sensei Mike was very impressed with both of you and is looking forward to the day when he can move you into the next class.

23 children graded, 23 children achieved their new stripe.  I was very proud of you all, and standing beside Sensei Mike at the end and putting new stripes on the ends of your belts and seeing your happy (if not slightly traumatised faces) was the best reward I could ever ask for......Osu, Sensei Lorraine


visit www.haxbykarate.co.uk to receive a free training session. For more information email info@haxbykarate.co.uk

Grading - 24th February 2013

Once again our February grading was looking to be a mammoth event.

The day started promptly at 10am with Sensei Scott taking the junior karateka, Sensei Alan Campbell soon joined us and between them they conducted training for over 160 karateka, and gradings for over 110!

Sensei Mike managed to surprise Sensei Alan by making a £500 donation to the JKS England squad fund from the proceeds of these grading courses. This was very warmly received and will be put to good use to help the squad compete at the World Championships in Japan this year.

Oliver (W) was the first member of our club to grade. Oliver has been waiting for this opportunity and put in a convincing performance to come away with his 10 kyu. Katherine was up next, and despite looking a little nervous beforehand soon settled down and collected her 9th kyu.

Lisa was the first of the Gowland family to face the examiner, and after being selected as Sensei Scott's demonstrating partner for some of the earlier exercises didn't disappoint to collect her 8th kyu - just one more grading and you can exchange your red belt for a nice new yellow one! Which is exactly what her daughter Rebecca did! Rebecca and Kian both put in strong performances to gain the next grade - well done to both of you.

Scott was our only green belt grading (indeed the only one in the club!) and he was very focused on his goal of exchanging it for a purple one - which is exactly what he did! Well done Scott!

Haxby provided the majority of the purple belts that were grading with seven of the ten belonging to our club.      Alex (S), Fraser, Robert, Jemimah, Rachel, Bailey and Dougie all put themselves forward for grading. The results were mixed with Alex, Jemimah, and Rachel achieving Temporary 4th kyu, and Fraser, Robert (managing to remain several grades ahead of his mum and sister!), Bailey, and Dougie all achieving full 4th kyu. There are some technical issues that we need to work on with our purple belts, but try not to let the result dishearten you. There are five possible results from a grading - 1) you are reduced in grade if the examiner thinks you do now show the correct level of ability for your current grade, 2) you fail the grading and have to remain at your current grade, 3) you are judged not to have quiet reached the standard necessary to achieve the next grade so are given a temporary higher grade to be confirmed at the next grading, 4) you are awarded the next grade, 5) you are awarded a double (or rarely triple grade) but this is very rare after 8th kyu.  Click here  to go to the excellent article from Sensei Paul on grading results. Special mention must go to Dougie who not only confirmed his temporary grade of 5th kyu, but also graded to full 4th kyu, and equivalent of a full grade and a half!

There was one final purple belt from Haxby to grade. Bethany was attempting to move up from 4th kyu to 3rd kyu. She was very nervous going into the grading and was rather dwarfed by the other karateka in her section. However she dug deep and pulled out a determined performance to gain her Brown belt. The jump to brown belt is always a challenge as the expected standard rises greatly. So new 4th kyus take warning - the next grading is only just 3 months away and there is a lot of work to be done to get you ready! You need focus and commitment if you are to be considered for your brown belt in the summer.

Now it was onto our existing brown belts. Oli, Elizabeth, Lee, Thomas (F) and Dael were all trying for 1st kyu. The boys all successfully graded to full 1st kyu, with Elizabeth being awarded a temporary grade. Congratulations to you all! The standard that is expected of you at this level is very high, and you all did yourself proud. However, if the purples have a lot of work to do before their next grading that is nothing compared to the amount of work you have before you. The standard expected of a Shodan is several levels about that expected of a brown belt but with the training and support from your instructors you will get there. Don't forget that Sensei Alan expects to see you all at the regular black and brown belt courses, especially if you are thinking of trying for your Shodan anytime soon. This is essential not only for Sensei Alan to judge when you might be ready to attempt the grading, but primarily for the extra instruction you will get and the experience of training with so many talented Dan grades.

There was one final member of the club going in front of the examiners. Pete was retaking the Kumite section of his Shodan grading. Unfortunately this time it was not to be, but he has the opportunity to retake this section at a black and brown belt course in three months time.

All in all it was a mixed grading for the club. Some came away a little disappointed in their performance, some very happy. I think how you deal with disappointment says more about your character than how you deal with success. So hopefully we will see everyone down at the dojo, training hard to carry on with their karate journey.

We would like to thank Sensei Alan and Sensei Scott for their excellent instruction, and of course Sensei Paul, we are very lucky that we have Sensei Paul on hand to organise these gradings and ensure that they run so smoothly. 

For more photos of the grading see the photos page of our website. 

visit www.haxbykarate.co.uk to receive a free training session. For more information email info@haxbykarate.co.uk

Sensei Scott Langley course Saturday 23rd February

Sensei Mike and Sensei Scott Langley

We were offered the chance, along with our friends from Selby Shotokan Karate Club, to host Sensei Scott Langley on the Saturday before our grading course. And like any sensible karateka, we jumped at the chance!

We decided to hold a smaller course just for our more senior grades to give them the opportunity to develop some of the more technical aspects of karate that it is hard to pick up at the larger courses. Also this allowed for more personal tuition from Sensei Scott, and I am sure everyone who attended will agree that it was well worth it.

The session focused on driving forward into hanmi in zenkutso dachi, kokutso dachi, and kiba dachi. Sensei Scott led through a series of combinations taken from the kata Jion to illustrate these points (and challenge us!). This was followed by taking the class through the Nidan grading syllabus Kihon, again focusing on driving into Hanmi.

The session was rounded off by taking us through Junro Godan. A very challenging kata, but everyone enjoyed the opportunity to try something a little out of their comfort zone. I am sure this is a kata we will be revisiting in the near future.

We would like to thank Sensei Scott for the training and for visiting us again. It has been too long since his last visit to the Haxby Dojo. And we hope to have the pleasure of hosting him again in the very near future.

visit www.haxbykarate.co.uk to receive a free training session. For more information email info@haxbykarate.co.uk

JKS 'Special' Open Course - York 7th April 2013

Haxby Shotokan Karate Club and Selby Shotokan Karate Club are holding a 'Special' Open Course on 7th April at The York Sports Centre, University of York. Instruction will be with:

Sensei Alan Campbell - 6th Dan JKS England Chief Instructor
Sensei Scott Langley - 5th Dan JKS GB and Ireland Technical Director
Sensei Rob McCartney - 4th Dan Chief Instructor - York Elite Karate

Senior Grades - Junro Shodan through to Junro Sandan
Junior / Mid Grades - The 3 Ks - Kihon, Kata and Kumite drills all mixed into an exciting programme.
Pee Wee grades - Karate Games, The Olympics and The K is on the Way (Karate's bid for 2020)

The York Sports Centre, University of York, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD

Click the flyer for more information

visit www.haxbykarate.co.uk to receive a free training session. For more information email info@haxbykarate.co.uk

Dojo's Friend

It was a close run race this month with many students keen to get their hands on Dojo.
But one young man was determined to have his turn....congratulations to Dexter.


Dexter has worked so hard during January that it really wasn't a surprise. He always listens to instructions, tries his very hardest, keeps going, and never moans about his aches and pains.


Pushing your body to attempt things that don't come naturally is all part of the Karate spirit which is expected from all students, and to be honest it doesn't get any easier the older you get!

Well done Dexter, continue like this and you will achieve everything that you aim for. Maybe you could help Dojo, as he can be very stubborn at times saying he can't do something, but in reality if he only kept going he would succeed.




visit www.haxbykarate.co.uk to receive a free training session. For more information email info@haxbykarate.co.uk