Welcome What can Yamakai Karate do for me and what do I need to take part?     What do I need to start Karate        A clean plain white t-shirt     Be punctual     Arrive 10 minutes before training sessions start     Clean track suit trousers (no shorts allowed)     Ensure finger / toe nails are clean and cut     If you have long hair make sure its tied back     Bring a water based drink       © Yamakai Karate Association, 150 Strathaven Rd, Hamilton, Lanarkshire ML3 7UX, Tel. 01698 421790  [site index]      What can Yamakai Karate Association offer YOU.     A full licence with insurance and membership of the Scottish Karate Governing Body Ltd     Weekly training sessions in a friendly club atmosphere     Train on state of the art inter-locking jigsaw matted surfaces     Qualified Black Belt tuition     Regular grading’s conducted by Chief Instructor Jim Ross 6th Dan and Association Grading Panels     Access to competitions to suit all levels  Local/ Regional / National / International     Association Youth Development Squad training sessions every month     Courses with guest instructors     Realistic techniques that work and increase your speed / power and improve your self confidence     Awareness, flexibility and all round general fitness     Meet a new circle of friends     Freedom to train at all affiliated clubs as well as any club that's part of the SKGB Ltd     Access to the National Squad Training What style of Karate is practiced by our Association At present our group is made up of five Shotokan based clubs. Unlike most traditional Shotokan groups we don't spend as much time practicing basic's and Kata we very rarely march up and down the floor practicing basic blocks, the vast majority of training time is spent preparing for competitions. This is not to say we ignore our Shotokan roots, in the build up to Kyu or Dan grading's students will revert back to the traditional elements of our style, it's widely thought that we are a kumite orientated group with know thought of traditional karate practice's, but people would be surprised with how traditional our grading syllabus is. We have always believed that the basis to all successful competitors is to have strong basic technique. Our students are never aloud to for get that. It's compulsory for all Black Belts for example to attempt further Dan grading's when they reach the stipulated age However in order for our squad to remain successful in competition it's vital we allocate more training time to this side of Karate, which involves sparring, points scoring matches, drills, focus pads, partner work and stamina sessions as well as technique work. So much so we have incorporate this into our grading system. In the under 16yrs sections we have two forms of white stripe grading's. Our under 12yrs do the more traditional grading, with over 12yrs performing a competitive style exam, involving all the elements found in sport Karate. These grading's do not contain Kata or basic Shotokan. This is an idea we stole from our Judo counterparts, and although it's not as dependant on students merely winning bouts to progress, students still need to have a high degree of technical ability in their Punching & Kicking. These grading's also test their physical strength as the energy level needed is far greater than a normal Shotokan exam. We believe by introducing this style of grading for this age group that it's not only helped us keep them interested in Karate, but also in Karate's grading system as they get some rest bite from the more arduous Shotokan element but at the same time are not allowed to forget it, we feel we have struck the perfect balance between the old and the new. It must also be remembered our group contains Shotokan minded individuals who will never forget their roots. Our Kata coaches for example spent many years training with and competing for the K.U.G.B. at International level. Julie & Stephanie are as Shotokan minded as anyone you will meet, I spent over ten years training with Eddie Welsh, John Latta was with Ross Frame for many years and Liam Coakley our new Uddingston coach came through the ranks with Chris O'Mato all of whom are Shotokan stalwarts so our students will always know what style of Karate they practice.