Karate

Disclaimer

The below content may change from time-to-time. What is agreed during registration is binding and may not necessarily align to the content here.

Age Requirement

As of September 2026, students must be at least 8 years old to register for classes.

Rules and Regulations

1. No alcohol or drugs will be taken before class.
2. No Karate student will provoke violence outside the dojo or allow him or herself to be provoked into violence, under the pain of expulsion from Karate for life.
3. Students will behave always as gentlemen/ladies both inside and outside the dojo.
4. All Black Belts will be addressed as “Sensei”.
5. Higher belts will aid the lower belts in their training but will not teach a technique or kata without a Sensei’s permission. Lower belts will follow.
6. There will be no sparring without express permission of the instructing Sensei.
7. All gis will be completely white. The Wado lettering may be placed on the left side of the gi top only. Any accessories (shirts, headbands, etc.) must be white only.
8. All males must wear an athletic support (jock) during sparring.
9. No rings, watches, earrings, studs, or other jewelry may be worn during class.
10. Students must comply with the dojo health rules. Personal cleanliness is essential. Finger and toenails must be clipped short.
11. No smoking, eating, drinking, or chewing gum is allowed on the dojo floor.
12. All students will bow upon entering and leaving the dojo. Bowing to instructors when making requests is mandatory.
13. Students will maintain a serious attitude at all times. No profanity or loud talking is permitted in the dojo. Vulgarity and rudeness will not be tolerated.
14. Do not criticize other Karateka.
15. Under no circumstances will any form of Karate be taught by any member to any non-member.
16. Dues must be paid by the first lesson of each quarter (or month), and there will be no refunds.
17. All gis, pads, etc. must be paid for in full upon ordering.
18. All additional rules published from MAPDA will be followed.

Concussion and Head Injury Policy

Concussion Code of Conduct

Participants will act in a manner which is safe and provides the least risk to each other. Sparring equipment must be worn when participating in kumite (point sparring), and Participants are to refrain from contact with each other at all times, except for soft techniques using grabbing, redirective, or non-striking motions.

Removal From Sport Protocol Due to Head Injury

If a Participant is suspected of receiving a head injury they are to be immediately assessed by an instructor or first-aid official of the club. Participants who are likely to have a concussion based on the assessment will be removed from participation of sport and are highly recommended to speak to a healthcare professional as soon as possible.

Return To Sport Protocol Following Removal Due to Head Injury

A Participant who was removed from sport due to a head injury must seek medical guidance before returning. The Participant may return after they demonstrate progression through a graduated process (such as the one recommended by MTCS Ontario) for returning to sport. In all cases, a Participant may be removed from sport at the sole discretion of an instructor if that instructor believes the participant is not fit to participate.

Equipment Requirements

All students are required certain gear to participate in various aspects of classes, sparring, and tournaments. Optional gear may be desired depending on the student's comfort level, and/or personal needs.

Students will require:

• Gi (uniform, top and bottom)
• Belt (White belt included with first gi, subsequent belts given at gradings)
• Hand pads
• Mouth guard
• Males: Jock strap (requirement for all sparring participation)

All students may want to consider optional equipment, depending on their personal needs. If in doubt, talk to your instructor.

Note: The following list is a suggestion of what may be required by an individual, not an exhaustive list of what is allowed. We work with all kinds of unique needs, so always talk with your instructor if you need some sort of other accomodation.

• Head protection
• Chest, or full torso protection (Females and Males, especially if medical needs exist)
• Arm, leg or foot pads (protects against brusing, or if there is increased risk or ligament or bone damage)

Kata List

Grading Requirements

There are usually 6 coloured belt ranks through Karate: White, Yellow, Orange, Green, Blue, and Brown.

Occasionally, you will see a striped rank, or possibly another full colour. Usually, these ranks are Striped Green, Striped Blue or Purple, and Striped Brown or Red. These ranks exist because the student is essentially ready for their next rank, however is missing something key. In order to demonstrate their progression, they receive a rank with a condition that they will move on when they have surpassed that final hurdle.

For colour belt gradings, students will either be graded when their sensei feels that they are ready (informal), or by a physical test (formal). Gradings to Black Belt or through any rank of Black Belt will always be formal, and include a written test, basics, kata, sparring, and possibly other examination criteria.

Note: Not all students will receive Senior Green, Senior Blue/Purple, or Senior Brown/Red ranks. These ranks can generally be assumed part of a regular student's progression and time without actually receiving a rank.