Karate is a traditional Japanese martial art that focuses on combat without the use of weapons. “Karate” translates to “empty hand.” Whilst this form of martial art is thought to be practised currently by over one hundred million people globally, there are still several common myths about karate that have created a stigma around the sport. So, let’s look at 6 of the most common karate myths and compare them to the karate facts!
One of the biggest misconceptions about karate is that it is just a fighting sport, but there is a lot more to it than punching and kicking. Karate is the art form of having a controlled mind and body; it is about not only knowing how to fight, but when to fight. Whilst the training drills completed in your average karate class do resemble that of self-defence and fighting, so much of the sport is about self-discipline, knowledge, respect, and personal growth. There is a certain tranquillity that only the highest trained karatekas possess and this is down to their understanding of their own body and other people’s. As well as this, when entering a karate dojo, there is a level of respect expected from all students to show one another and their Sensei. It takes self-discipline to obey the rules and persevere in your own karate journey. So, whilst learning to fight is where the martial art originates from, karate wouldn’t be what it is today without the respect and calm nature that is instilled into its students.
One of the biggest myths in martial arts, especially karate, is the misconception that it’s all about power—questions like, “How hard can you punch?” or even, “What would you do in a gunfight?” often arise. While these questions might seem naïve, karate is a highly effective form of self-defence that focuses on targeting weak points rather than brute force.
It’s important to distinguish between karate training, karate application, and sport karate. Training is done with other skilled karateka and isn’t meant to mimic a street fight. However, regular practice rewires reflexes, making karate application more instinctive in real-life situations. Sport karate, with its high kicks and competitive elements, focuses more on fitness and performance, which differs from self-defence.
A trained karateka holds key advantages in self-defence situations: self-awareness and spatial awareness. Karate teaches students to control emotions, recognise threats, and maintain awareness of their surroundings. These skills are crucial in avoiding danger and staying alert during a confrontation.
While karate emphasizes speed and precision, it’s not about striking hard but knowing where to strike. Most street fighters lack training in martial arts or knowledge of pressure points, giving a karateka the upper hand.
In short, karate is a highly effective self-defence martial art when practiced consistently.
Karate is highly beneficial for children in many ways, be it the standard self-defence or aiding in their academics, but it’s actually a dangerous martial art and technical sport that adults can benefit from too. Due to the need for coordination and the use of body mechanics, karate is highly effective for improving muscle tone, strength, and balance. As there is so much emphasis placed on correct techniques and subtle differences between stances, adults find they are using muscles in their body they had never worked before!
But karate isn’t just for visible physical health, it also does wonders on your internal systems. There are links between karate and improved cardiovascular health (such as reduced risk of Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke), strengthening your heart and lungs and development of muscular endurance. Along with this, adult karate training of course covers self-defence. Karate teaches the individual to keep their emotions in control under high pressure situations, like a fight – something that is transferable into the work and home environment.
There are several mental benefits to karate when practised consistently too. Martial arts are a great stress relief as there is not only the option to release anger through striking drills and light combat drills, but there is also an extent of mindfulness and controlled breathing that comes together with proper karate practice. The individual techniques emphasise attention to detail in such depth that it distracts your mind from daily stresses. Also, the social side of karate is a big motivator for people of all ages as there is a sense of community and mutual respect.
So, karate is for adults too! Why not give it a go and experience all the benefits of training karate with Simon Coope Karate School?
Another common misconception about karate is that you must be very flexible in order to perform properly. This is incorrect! Whilst being flexible before you start karate will aid in your initial ability, it is something that can be worked on progressively and will come naturally with the sport.
Karate uses the whole body and does sometimes require a vast range of movement, however being flexible doesn’t have that much of an impact on the strength or power behind techniques. Some basic techniques, such as punching or striking, don’t require any more flexibility than what the average person would have anyway. And, as karate classes begin with a warm up that involves stretching, flexibility will be practised and maintained with consistent attendance.
When you think of combat sports, you’re probably picturing MMA or UFC and all the broken noses and black eyes that come with it – but karate is quite the opposite. Karate is a martial art that is taught for the sole purpose of self-defence. At Simon Coope Karate School, students are reminded regularly of ‘Karate Ni Sentenashi’ which essentially means ‘There is no first attack in karate.’
Karate is a martial art that promotes good etiquette and respect, and a genuine karate school would never promote violence or misuse of the techniques taught. Experienced karatekas are aware of the danger they could impose and learn how to keep peace of mind in stressful situations – something that will be taught to students too. So, if you are worried about putting your child into a dangerous sport, karate is quite the opposite and will teach them a level of self-discipline and control they won’t learn from football or tennis!
Another common myth about karate is that it’s easy to master, and many people believe that gaining your black belt means you’ve reached the end. However, karate isn’t something that can be taught in a day and true karatekas know that the real art of sport is learned after gaining their 1st Dan black belt.
Whilst every karate school differs and the individual’s volume of training plays a huge part, the average time it takes someone to get their black belt is 6 years – although it can take anywhere between 3 and 10 years! At Simon Coope Karate School, there is a tough traditional Wado-Ryu style syllabus that every student (no matter their age) must follow to a certain standard in order to progress through the ranks. There is a minimum of 3 months training time between belt gradings, and at least one year’s training before the student can take their 1st Dan black belt. In this time, students will learn at least 9 katas, a number of different combination techniques as well as all the basics. While this may seem like a long time and lots of content, students can be sure they’ve done everything they can to earn their black belts when the time comes.
Becoming a ‘master’ of karate would take true dedication, determination, and effort – but even the highest ranked karateka in the world right now know that there is always room for improvement, and no one can truly master the art of karate.
Karate is divided into three main sections: kata, kihon, and kumite. Each section follows key principles that every karateka must respect, honoring their instructor, fellow students, the dojo, and themselves.
These principles guide the way kata (a series of choreographed movements) should be executed, showing the karateka’s speed, power, and balance. Kata must demonstrate both mental and physical self-control, along with fluidity and strength.
Kihon, or basics, are essential in every karateka’s journey. Fundamental techniques like blocks and punches must be practiced regularly to improve. Respect is key in karate, demonstrated through bowing when entering or leaving the dojo and when training with a partner. The concept of mentality over technique teaches karateka to approach confrontation with thoughtfulness, not aggression.
Kumite, meaning ‘grappling hands’ or sparring, focuses on attacking with confidence and maintaining a calm mind. Awareness of the opponent’s movements and all potential “weapons” (hands and feet) is crucial in a fight. By staying focused on your attack and seeing the entire opponent, you gain the upper hand.
Karate offers incredible benefits for people of all ages, both physically and mentally, including:
Beyond physical fitness, karate teaches practical self-defence skills that can be invaluable in situations ranging from school bullying to personal safety.
At Simon Coope Karate School, we’ve watched countless shy, anxious children transform into confident and skilled karateka. Many of our students have progressed to achieve black belts, with some even taking on teaching roles. Others, who began their journey with us as young as four years old, have gone on to excel academically, with some pursuing degrees in prestigious fields like medicine.
If you’re searching for ‘karate for kids near me,’ Simon Coope Karate School is your top choice for traditional Wado-Ryu karate instruction. We are proud to offer expert-led classes in a supportive, family-friendly environment. Our instructors are among the most qualified in the Midlands, passing on the teachings they’ve received from some of the world’s greatest karate masters. At SCKS, we foster patience, respect, and kindness, ensuring every student feels like part of the karate family.
Discover more about the many benefits of karate on our Why Join Karate page.
Discover how karate fosters discipline, confidence, and physical fitness in children, while also teaching them valuable life skills
There is no best age to start learning any new skill or sport, and karate is no different! At Simon Coope Karate School, we believe that you are never too old to start, which is why we take on anyone aged 4-84. There are so many benefits to starting no matter when you do it, and each age group is held to the same standards to ensure the martial art is taught properly.
Many parents start their children in our classes from as young as four and have found that they begin to excel both in the dojo and at school! Karate has shown to be particularly useful for children with ADD, ADHD and ASD as there is focus on fine motor skills and coordination, as well as stress and emotional regulation. The social aspect of karate brings shy children out of their shells and teaches them how to make friends, providing them with a safe and fun environment outside of the classroom.
Karate for adults is equally as good of a time to start, however, as the structured nature of the lessons and the stress relief that comes naturally with exercise and martial arts allows for adults to unwind and improve their mental health. People have reported how karate has improved their emotional and mental stability/regulation after just 6 months of attending lessons!
It’s never too late to start practising karate, and Simon Coope Karate School offers 1 month of free lessons to see if it’s really for you before committing.
The frequency in which a student practices karate is entirely down to the individual, however bear in mind that the more often you practise the faster you will progress through the ranks. Beginners tend to train once a week and will increase this as they start to get hooked on training! Many of the most advanced karateka train anywhere between 5 and 7 days a week and will travel around the globe to gain expertise from different senior instructors. But don’t worry, if you’re thinking about starting some karate classes near you there will be no pressure to train more than once a week!
Yes, there are four officially recognised styles of karate: Goju-Ryu, Shotokan-Ryu, Wado-Ryu, and Shito-Ryu. Each style has its own focus:
Each style has unique benefits, so the best one depends on what you want to achieve from karate.
At Simon Coope Karate School, each class starts with a warmup, stretching and formal bows. This is usually followed by basic techniques in line formation (kihon), then kata and kumite. The class always ends with another formal bow. On your first class you will be given some medical paperwork to fill out and an emergency contact form, but other than that you are free to join in after taking shoes and socks off! This is the same lesson format that the official Japanese dojos follow. Whilst every dojo will be different and instructors all have their own methods of teaching, it is likely most karate classes will follow a similar structure.
Simon Coope Karate School offers children’s karate classes at several convenient locations, including:
With multiple venues, it’s easy to find a class near you that suits your schedule. Book a free karate trial now!
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