Australia's Youth Self Defence Karate

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COVIDSAFE SCHOOL

Copyright © 2009 to 2021 Australia's Youth Self Defence Karate

All Schools Closing Due to Coronavirus

March 22, 2020 By Sensei Matt Klein

We had to make the decision today to close all of our schools effective tomorrow at noon. Although the public schools remain open, and it was our intention to tether our classes to them, it became clear after the Prime Minster’s announcement today that we would not be able to continue.

Despite all the safety measures we put in place, it becomes necessary to cease operations indefinitely to fall in compliance with the law and to protect the health and safety of our students. This is a very sad day for our Kenpo tribe and especially our great instructors, everyone will suffer. This is extremely disappointing to us, just as it has been for you and your children.

We hope this situation is under control soon and we can resume as quickly as possible. We will give all students credit for their classes attended this term for their grading qualification when we resume.

Thanks so much for your support and understanding. We are committed to coming back stronger than ever and making our classes even better in the future. Stay posted by following our Facebook page and our Blog on our website at www.karate-kids.com.au.

Sensei Matt

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Coronavirus Measures

March 20, 2020 By Sensei Matt Klein

Hi Kenpo Freestylers! I thought it appropriate to give you a rundown of the current events. Keep in mind they are changing rapidly, so stay tuned to this page. You will find all current news under the Blog section in our website, www.karate-kids.com.au.

Class utilising social distancing

This class at Wentworthville is utilising social distancing.

We are currently still operating at all locations, and will remain so unless the school/schools are ordered to close. We feel that especially now, kids need a fun, safe outlet in which to burn off their energy and stay engaged in the martial arts, which will help us all in this stressful time. We thank everyone who has stood by us and continued their training during this tough time. For those who have had to withdraw, we fully understand, as we know there are situations beyond your control, such as older folks or those with compromised medical conditions in your families or extended families. We only hope that you return to training once this is over as this club and our great instructors will desperately need your support as we recover.

We have by necessity made some important changes. Please feel free to comment or make further suggestions, parents and students.

1. We have moved to a “no touch” policy, where students must keep their hands to themselves. This includes the time before class where children play and make friends. Our games/activities have been adapted to include only no touch drills, so there should be no use of blockers or other tools that touch different students in the class. Students should also avoid touching the floor with their hands.

2. We are observing “social distancing” protocol, by separating students into small groups, usually five or less, if staff permits. We are spreading the groups around the hall areas as much as we can. We are trying to keep students at least two metres apart from each other. We have asked the parents to drop children off and not come into the class, but if necessary, place seating at least 1.5 metres apart.

3. Kick bags are still permitted but must be disinfected between classes. Only instructors and assistants are allowed to hold them, and they must wash their hands afterward. It is suggested that students wear their runners, so no skin contact may be made on the bags.

4. Other activities, such as Red light/Green light, balancing on blocks, kata training and competitions, self-defence training, kicking/hand strikes/blocks without bags, and many others can still be done. Your instructors are currently devising new ways to train and motivate our students so classes will be fun and challenging, and still develop martial arts skills.

5. We are keeping hand sanitisers at all front desks and any student or parent may use this. To keep our supplies on hand though, we recommend they use the soap and water method in the toilets before and after class. If no soap, please notify the instructor and we will contact the hall owner.

This situation will test the meddle of our whole country. We will do what we can to get through this, but we need everyone’s help. Thanks again for your support.

Sensei Matt Klein
Owner and Chief Instructor

Filed Under: Uncategorized

17 Things I Learned as a Blue Belt In BJJ

April 21, 2017 By Sensei Matt Klein

blue belt and purple belts

17 Things I Learned as a Blue Belt in BJJ

After nearly six years on this journey, I recently celebrated my graduation from blue belt in BJJ to purple . I wrote a similar post a few years back, entitled 49 Things I Learned as a White Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. I believe it helped a few people in their journeys as this was one of the most popular in my blog’s history. I hope to do the same with this post. Here are the things I learned as a blue belt in BJJ.

I am learning how to breathe. This is one thing I have noticed among the great ones in BJJ. At a JJ Machado seminar, I watched him roll with countless guys one after the other, and was absolutely amazed at his stamina. I started to hear his breath, and it was amazingly deep and slow. I then realised how he did it. You hear Rickson Gracie breathe the same way when he trains, and when I trained with Saulo Ribeiro, the same breathing pattern was unmistakeable. I have taken yoga about as long as I have taken BJJ and they get the same result and relief from very uncomfortable positions using the focus on breath. As a wrestler in high school, I used to gas out. I always chalked it up to a lack of stamina. But in a rolling session as a white belt, a black belt told me “Matt, you are not breathing, you are holding your breath”. It really hit me like a ton of bricks, and from then on, my game changed for the better. I am finally learning how to breathe when rolling, and it’s paying big dividends. I am not getting gassed out like I used to. The video below, illustrates Rickson Gracie’s use of yoga and breathing, and are a big reason why he became a legend in BJJ.

I am learning how to relax. Being an ex-wrestler I always thought the game was about strength, and work rate, but this is counterintuitive in BJJ. I learned “flow rolling” from Andrew Nerlich, a black belt with whom I train. The benefit of this style is that instead of getting locked up in one or two positions throughout the roll, you can see literally dozens of situations, in which you can try your escapes, defences, or attacks. Since your opponent is not resisting 100 percent, this combines the best elements of drilling and rolling. And it is fun! To an outsider or white belt, it really shows the skill and mastery of the techniques. As I am learning to relax, I am starting to look for mistakes my opponent’s make. The inexperienced will make them. The experienced will look for my mistakes.

I am starting to chain attacks and defences. I have found a few submissions that suit my game. But this can hinder your progress if you rely only on those, and you will become predictable. I have found that having a few backup submissions that feed off my favourites can pay big dividends. Whenever I find a new submission that works well for me, I constantly look for related submissions. The same can be true of escapes, depending on your opponents’s reactions. The higher belts have mastered this, and it is why they always seem “one step ahead” of you. This is not magic, it is the fact that they have been in this position and dealt with it dozens of times more than you have.

I am learning the importance of pressure. This is how a 150-pounder feels like a 200-pounder when they are on top of you in side control. By keeping nothing other than your feet on the ground, you are learning how to make your opponent tired by carrying your weight. It also makes you realise how important all those hip escapes are that we endlessly drill. You need to create space, when on the bottom.

Defences and escapes are key. As the great Saulo Ribeiro said, white is the belt of survival. Blue is the belt of escapes and defences against the worst positions and submissions, and I have focused a lot on this. You can never comfortably attack if you have no confidence in your ability to defend, as you will never take a chance of losing position. Embrace the bad positions and see it as a challenge to work your escapes and defences. You are learning to threaten your opponents to get them to back off on gaining a superior position or trying to submit you. Many times all you need is one hand attacking the collar and they know they cannot let you get the other hand in. For example, as they are trying to pass your guard, threaten the cross collar choke or baseball bat choke.

I am losing the fear of rolling with the beasts. I am learning how valuable it is to roll with a variety of people, and especially the importance of rolling with really good grapplers. There are always some guys who you cannot really threaten, and they will go light and “coach” you as you go along. Seek these guys out as often as possible for rolling. They will be flattered when you start using moves they showed you when you roll.

I am learning the value of mastering a few moves at a time. When I find something that suits my game, I recognise it immediately. I begin drilling it heavily and this is way better than knowing a lot of techniques without any real understanding of them. I look for the opponents reactions to these moves once I master them, then adapt them further.

I am learning how to be comfortable in most positions. Although I see the wisdom in keeping it simple, I have learned that you need at least two or three “go to” techniques from each position. This is so you will never really end up in “unchartered territory”. There is nothing more frustrating than having no answer to an attack without any idea of a response. I make it my business to find at least a few good moves in any possible position. This is also how you stay one step ahead.

You must specialise in something. For me, it was sweeps. I saw the value of being able to quickly reverse the positions without the effort of passing a guard. Sweeps are also extremely valuable to get a heavier person off of you. I made it my business to learn every sweep I could, but master about 5 or 6 really well.

I am learning to use my feet like hands. It is said that you must learn this as a purple belt. It is never too early to begin. I can really see the wisdom in this as you need all weapons at your disposal, and especially since your legs are stronger by far than your arms. But it is easier said than done. How can you force yourself to do this? For me, it was simple. I focused on the positions, like bottom half guard and butterfly guard that rely on using your hooks. This has started finding its way into other areas of my game, which has created a positive result.

You must be proactive in every position. For instance, in half guard bottom—don’t get flattened, stay on side, prevent cross face, prevent under hook. Start attacking from this position. Sweep, take back, or submit. I start working it as soon as my opponent has transitioned into the position and before they have had a chance to “relax” in it.

Your instructor does not expect you to be his or her protege. What works for them could be completely different than what works for you, depending on body style and attributes. You are starting to develop a game of your own. Your body style, athleticism, coaching, and background all play a role in this. Don’t fight it and don’t copycat others. Your game is unique. But all things being equal, I prefer to learn from a smaller instructor, as they have to be more technical.

Find a way to train solo. For me, a grappling dummy was the best investment I ever made in my game. In a matter of months my half guard bottom, sweeps, and submissions from all positions improved dramatically. If I was injured, I just used the other side of the body and learned to become ambidextrous more quickly.

The ego is finally being conquered. By the time you have reached high level blue, you have literally tapped dozens BUT have been submitted by hundreds. You have learned to not make a big deal out of it when you tap someone, but have embraced getting tapped, as it is the quickest way to progress. I make it a point to ask the higher belts how they got that submission on me. Only the most selfish refuse to tell me. As well, I have learned many things from white belts, as I am open to everyone’s wisdom. At this level, you will start tapping white belts, even if they are very strong, and some lower level blue belts pretty regularly, if you relax, and let them either gas out or make mistakes. They will usually do one or the other.

I am learning the power of yoga. As I mentioned above, I have been doing yoga as long as BJJ. It has kept me relatively injury free for two important reasons. My range of motion is better and I am learning to be comfortable in bad positions. Without it, you are more likely to get submitted and more likely to get hurt. It helps balance, strength, and especially breathing. 

I am learning that you must take responsibility for your own success. BJJ guys and girls really are the coolest in the world. They love helping other BJJ people out with anything and this art attracts the best people. But you must take responsibility for your progression. No one is going to take you aside and say “I am going to make you a better grappler” or “I am going to find your weaknesses and strengthen them”.  This is especially true with regards to your diet and lifestyle. You must take responsibility for it.

I am learning to love giving it back. My instructors and higher ranks have given so much to me. I now feel an obligation to help the newer students, just as there were so many who helped me. I love the opportunity to teach, and it really helps me learn the game so much better by teaching its principles.

I preface all the above with “I am learning”, because even as a purple belt, I am still learning these principles, and will never master them fully. That is what I love about this art. What did you learn as a blue belt in BJJ?

Filed Under: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Uncategorized

Kids Karate Classes Now Online

July 16, 2021
Hey Kenpo Freestylers, we are up and running on our kids karate online Zoom classes. Our first class is tomorrow morning. Please go on to iKarate to sign up. Our instructors need your support to get through this difficult time, and we appreciate your help in getting this club through to the other side. The […]

New Term Starts 16th October

September 24, 2020
Hey Kenpo Freestylers! The first week of classes for next term starts Friday, 16th October, through Thursday, 22nd October. The last week of term will end on Thursday, 17th December. It is a nine week term. Please mark your calendars! Times and dates are also posted on our website at http://www.karate-kids.com.au/locations/.

We are a COVID safe business!

July 24, 2020
All of our head instructors and a good many of our assistants have completed the MAIA course for qualification as a COVID safe business. Please be assured that we take your child’s health and safety as our highest priority. Our classes will be run safely in a clean environment. Please talk to your head instructor […]

Regular Classes Starting Soon!

July 18, 2020
Our regular classes are starting this Friday, the 24th of July through Thursday week the 30th of July. It will be a nine-week term and will continue through Thursday, 24th September. Please see our Locations page for times and dates. Welcome back returning students and we look forward to meeting all new students. Sensei Matt

Great Deals Online Kids Karate!

May 11, 2020
Great Deals Online Kids Karate! Welcome back Kenpo Freestylers! We now have pre pay options available on iKarate for our loyal students and families – with something extra… Our way of saying thank you We have been so touched by the overwhelming support for you all for our beloved Karate Club. The emails & facebook […]

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Testimonials

Australia's Youth Self Defence Karate
mihir-joshi-kenpo-freestyle-sydneyOver the years, through Karate, I found that my confidence and self-esteem levels had sky rocketed to heights I never thought it would go. I thank Sensei Matt, and all those who have helped me in Karate, for helping me understand such values in a fun and social learning environment.
Mihir Joshi

See our Karate Success Stories Page for Mihir's story.
09/01/2014
Australia's Youth Self Defence Karate
mihir-joshi-kenpo-freestyle-sydneyOver the years, through Karate, I found that my confidence and self-esteem levels had sky rocketed to heights I never thought it would go. I thank Sensei Matt, and all those who have helped me in Karate, for helping me understand such values in a fun and social learning environment.
Mihir Joshi

See our Karate Success Stories Page for Mihir's story.
09/01/2014
Australia's Youth Self Defence Karate
Friendly yet disciplined approach towards karate at Australia’s Youth has helped enormously. It enabled Mihir to build a sense of belonging and improved his motivation to excel. It’s amazing how learning the Martial Arts helps build confidence and improve overall personality.
Yogendra Joshi, father of Mihir JoshiImage
09/01/2014
Australia's Youth Self Defence Karate
I like Karate because it is really fun and I love going on the weekend to see all my friends and Senseis. Karate makes me feel safe because I don’t worry about bullies at school because I know they can’t really hurt me.Tyvian-Macfarlne-Kenpo-Freestyle-Sydney
Tyvian Macfarlane

See our Karate Success Stories Page for Tyvian's story.
09/08/2014
Australia's Youth Self Defence Karate
The confidence karate has given Tyvian is amazing. He is takes pride in himself and he has matured. The focus, confidence and discipline he has gained through karate has transferred to other areas of his life such as educational tasks, looking after younger children both in and out of his family and demonstrating empathy for others.Robert-Macfarlane
Robert Macfarlane, father of Tyvian Macfarlane
09/08/2014
Australia's Youth Self Defence Karate
I owe my confidence, strength, fitness and leadership skills to Karate. It has taught me to persist with everything and that the only way to improve is to try harder.Adam-Loader-Kenpo-Freestyle-Sydney
Adam Loader

See our Karate Success Stories Page for Adam's story.
09/01/2014
Australia's Youth Self Defence Karate
Look at what you have achieved Matt, we can’t thank you enough for your contribution to shaping these two young men. We are often complimented about the maturity of the boys and we know their Karate has played an important part in developing that maturity. Brings a tear to my eye!
loadersRobert Loader, father of Adam and Jacob Loader
09/01/2014

Sensei Matt’s Blog Topics

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Recent Posts

  • All Schools Closing Due to Coronavirus
  • Coronavirus Measures
  • 17 Things I Learned as a Blue Belt In BJJ
  • Teaching Children Martial Arts: Silent Stretches as a Powerful Tool

Recent Comments

  • Sensei Matt Klein on All Schools Closing Due to Coronavirus
  • Russell Henderson on All Schools Closing Due to Coronavirus
  • Sensei Matt Klein on 17 Things I Learned as a Blue Belt In BJJ
  • Mick Parker on 17 Things I Learned as a Blue Belt In BJJ
  • Sensei Matt Klein on Teaching Children Martial Arts: Silent Stretches as a Powerful Tool

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