Latest Updates – Karate 4 Life E-Dojo

Posted on on by

Shihan Martin Phillips

Co-Founding Instructor of Sunshine Coast Karate (est. 2000)
Sunshine Coast Karate Head Instructor
QLD Chito-Ryu Karate-Do Regional Head Instructor
Co-Founder of Karate4Life Edojo

Training History: Studying Chito-Ryu Karate-Do since 1984.
Dan Level: 5th Dan
Instructor Qualification: Shihan

Competitive Highlights:

Numerous regional, state and national champion competitor 1987 – 1999.
Represented Australia at WKF World Championships in 1994 & 1996
Podium finishes (Kata &/or Kumite) at the International Chito-Ryu Championships (also known as the Soke Cup) in 1989, 1992, 1995, 1998, 2004, 2010, 2013. Winning gold in 1989 and 2017 (+ Open Men’s Black Belt Tournament Champion).

Coaching Highlights:

Students representing Sunshine Coast Karate and Australia at International Chito-Ryu Championships. Numerous outstanding performances, podium finishes and international karate champions in 2001. 2004, 2007, 2010, 2013, 2017. Results of most recent representation include 6 gold, 3 silver and 3 bronze.

In The Media

sandra-demo Shihan Martin Phillips performing Sanshiru kata with wife Shihan Sandra Phillips at the 2010 International Chito-Ryu Karate-Do Championships

This page was last updated: September 2017

Posted on on by

Sandra Phillips Posted in History

Shihan Sandra Phillips

Co-Founding Instructor of Sunshine Coast Karate (est. 2000)
Co-Founder of Karate4Life Edojo
Author: A Way of Living Book Series

Training History: Studying Chito-Ryu Karate-Do since 1990.
Dan Level: 5th Dan
Instructor Qualification: Shihan

Current Instructors: Left – Shihan Martin Phillips (5th Dan), Centre – Soke Sensei (Supreme Instructor), Right – Higuchi Sensei (7th Dan)

martin Sandra Phillips (pictured right with husband Martin Phillips) has been studying Chito-Ryu Karate-Do since 1990 and started her competitive career in 1993. Sandra has represented Australia on a number of occasions, competing at the International Chito-Ryu Karate-Do Championships since 1995, which is the highest level of competition for the Chito-Ryu style held every 3 years.

Throughout her international competitive career, Sandra has consistently ranked in the top three in her division every time she has competed at the Soke Cup, winning gold in 2004. Sandra’s latest achievement was gold in 2017, and she also helped husband Martin to coach students to achieve podium positions including most recently six gold medalists, 3 silver medalists and 3 bronze medalists in 2017.

In the year 2000, Sandra and husband Martin co-founded Sunshine Coast Karate in Maroochydore, Sunshine Coast, Australia. Since the year 2000 they have worked with thousands of people of all ages not only in the dojo, but they have also helped students transfer valuable life skills into their everyday lives.

Sandra continues to balance weekly karate training along side of time with her family, teaching, studies and writing.

Sandra and kids Sandra’s greatest passion is in serving others. In her words “there is no greater satisfaction than to help another person reach greater heights in their lives”. Sandra strives to grow with every day as a student of karate and of life whilst actively documenting many valuable lessons along the way.

As a result of documenting her life lessons, Sandra (pictured left with children Sami and Steven) is now creating ‘A Way of Living’ book series. In this series, she shares much of her learning with the goal to help people of all ages to:

‘Survive’ and ‘thrive’ in our rapidly changing world.
Grow from the inside out. Strengthening, expanding, identifying personal power and realising your unique gifts.
Grow, respect and appreciate others. Become a person of service and share their unique gifts.
Develop as leaders and do all they can to contribute to the uniting of families and communities.

Competitive Highlights:

Numerous regional, state and national champion competitor 1993 – 2004.
Podium finishes (Kata & Kumite) at the International Chito-Ryu Championships (also known as the Soke Cup) in 1995, 1998, 2001, 2004, 2010, 2013. Winning gold in 2004 and 2017.

Coaching Highlights:

Students representing Sunshine Coast Karate and Australia at International Chito-Ryu Championships. Numerous outstanding performances, podium finishes and international karate champions in 2004, 2007, 2010, 2013, 2017. Results of most recent representation include 6 gold, 3 silver and 3 bronze.

sandra-demo Shihan Sandra Phillips performing Sanshiru kata with husband Shihan Martin Phillips at the 2010 International Chito-Ryu Karate-Do Championships

This page was last updated: September 2017

Basic Blocking & Punching Techniques

Posted on on by

Martin Phillips Posted in Kihon — No Comments ↓

Basic Targets – Jodan, Chudan & Gedan (Upper, Middle & Lower)
Jodan Uke (Upper Block)
Soto Uke (Outside Block)
Uchi Uke (Inside Block)
Gedan Barai (Lower Sweep)
Juu Te Waza (10 Hand Techniques)
Activity Sheets to practice Japanese terminology: WonderWord, Word Unscramble, Word Match
Short Article: Key Points To Consider When Developing Basic Techniques
Watch Video: Basic Punching (with Soke Sensei, Supreme Instructor)
Watch Video: Basic Blocking (with Soke Sensei, Supreme Instructor)

Basic Targets – Jodan, Chudan & Gedan (Upper, Middle & Lower)

As a beginner student, the basic targets for punching attacks are:

Jodan (Upper) – Aimed right between the eyes
Chudan (Middle) – Aimed to the solar plexus, just below the sternum
Gedan (Lower) – Aimed to the groin

Targets for basic punching attacks
Jodan, Chudan & Gedan

For kicking attacks, the targets do vary slightly depending upon the kick. But as a general guide, chudan for kicks tends to be a bit lower than the target for punching. Based on the picture above, chudan for most types of kicks would fall almost in the middle of the chudan and gedan targets for punching, about the height of your hips. The gedan target for kicks also varies depending upon the kick, covering a range between the groin and the knee.

Jodan Uke (Upper Block)

Step by step explanation and important points:

This example shows the start from an existing block.
Bring your blocking hand across your body with your palm facing up.
Raise your blocking hand on the outside of your pull back hand.
Finish your jodan uke, twisting your forearm at the end until your palm is facing out, finishing with your fist higher than your elbow and your wrist in front of your forehead.
Side view [pictured right] – finish with a gap of about one fist between your wrist and your forehead.

Jodan Uke (1)
click to enlarge

Jodan Uke (2)
click to enlarge

Jodan Uke (3)
click to enlarge

Jodan Uke (4)
click to enlarge

Jodan Uke (4, side)
click to enlarge

Soto Uke (Outside Block)

Step by step explanation and important points:

This example shows the start from an existing block.
Bring your blocking hand across your body until the back of your hand reaches the elbow of the existing block.
Keep your elbow where it is, slide your new block up the outside of the existing block and twist your forearm until your palm faces you at the end point.
Side view – finish with a gap of about one fist between your elbow and your body and an angle of about 100° at your elbow (wrist at chudan height).

Soto Uke (1)
Outside Block

Soto Uke (2)
Outside Block

Soto Uke (3)
Outside Block

Soto Uke (3, side)
Outside Block

Uchi Uke (Inside Block)

Step by step explanation and important points:

This example shows the start from an existing block.
Bring your blocking hand out to the side of your body with your palm facing foreward, be sure not to lift your shoulder or draw the arm back behind the line of your body
Leading with your elbow, twist you forearm until you finish your block with your palm facing towards your face
Side view – uchi uke finishes in the same end position as soto uke (outside block)

Uchi Uke (1)
click to enlarge

Uchi Uke (2)
click to enlarge

Uchi Uke (3)
click to enlarge

Uchi Uke (3, side)
click to enlarge

Gedan Barai (Lower Sweep/Block)

Step by step explanation and important points:

This example shows the start from an existing block.
Bring your blocking hand up to your opposite shoulder with your palm facing your ear
Slide your new block down the outside of your existing block, sweeping past your groin, twisting your forearm as you finish with your palm facing towards your thigh
Side view – ensure the finish position is not too close or too far away from your thigh

Gedan Barai (1)
click to enlarge

Gedan Barai (2)
click to enlarge

Gedan Barai (3)
click to enlarge

Gedan Barai (3, side)
click to enlarge

Basic Punching

Oi Zuki (Leading hand punch)

Gyaku Zuki (Reverse punch)

Shiko Zuki (Shiko dachi, low punch)

Juu Te Waza (10 Hand Techniques)

A simple routine to practice the basics punching and blocking techniques.

Jodan uke (upper block) x2
Soto uke (outside block) x2
Uchi uke (inside block) x2
Geadan barai (lower sweep) x2
Chudan zuki (middle punch) x2

Performed by: Hiroshi Tanaka, Renshi, 6th Dan. (June 2016).

Video source: facebook.

How to tie your Karate Belt

Posted on on by

Martin Phillips Posted in Kihon — No Comments ↓

One of the most common questions that we get asked by new students (and parents) is “How do I tie my belt?” So rather than answering the same question again and again, we made this short video lesson showing you step by step with a front view, top view and guide for parents and instructors (or dojo leaders).

Performed by: Shihan Martin Phillips (5th Dan)

Filmed at: Sunshine Coast Karate, Maroochydore Dojo, 2012.

Duration – 2 min : 32 sec

If you have a little trouble following along with the video above, you can follow along with this step by step series of photos showing you how to tie you belt. This series of photos is a brief extract from the ICKF of Australia Beginner Manual (PDF Download).

Tip for Parent Coaches – Just like learning how to tie your shoes, learning how to tie your belt takes practice. If you want your child to learn quickly and in turn develop the associated sense of pride and accomplishment then you are going to need to learn how to tie the belt correctly first yourself. Kids are great at following the example set by their parents. If you are pro-active in the learning process your kids are more likely to follow your lead. Also note, there are a few great tips in the video above especially for teaching young children how to tie their belt.

Belt Tying Video #2: Check out this fun video and learn how to tie your karate belt in minutes. Thank you to Sensei Helen, Debbie and our amazing karate kids for featuring in this video.