The karate schedule at Tumble Time follows a six week session rather than a monthly schedule.  This schedule takes into consideration school vacations and holiday weeks.

December 4^th

January 22^nd

March 12^th

5/30 – Memorial Day (made up on 6/13)

April 30^th

** The Summer Session will be an 8 week session with dates and times to be posted closer to the summer **

Class Prices based on six week Sessions 

Keep informed by visiting our web site at: www.aakenpokarate.com  There we will post special events, news, and you can also join our message board where you can print your own rank checklists.

Getting Started

Uniform:

       The uniform we wear is called a gi (pronounced “gee”).  The gi is tied with the left flap tied over the right.  Most uniforms have a company logo sewn onto the lapel of the left flap.  If you cannot see the logo, you have tied it backwards.  The gi is to be kept clean and it should only be worn during class.

       The belts are only to be worn in the classroom.  When a student enters the classroom, their belt should be either in their bag, draped across their shoulders, or in their hand.  The belt is never to be placed on the ground.  That is disrespectful to the rank that you hold.  Once inside the classroom, the student must kneel before putting on their belt.  Here is how the belt should be tied:

2.  Wrap both ends around your back and cross them over each other, then bring the ends around to the front

4. Pull the ends apart to make the belt snug and then tie a knot.

(The ends of the belt should end up going sideways and not up and down.  If they are going up and down, tie the knot the other way.)

          If a belt is found lying on the ground by an instructor, it will be returned to the student with a warning.  The student will be given another warning on a second offense.  If the belt is found on the ground a third time, the belt will be confiscated and the student will have to re-test before the rank is returned.

       Students are lined up at the beginning of class by their rank.  The highest ranking student stands on the far right hand side, at the front of the room.  The line continues to the left with the next highest rank until there is no more room.  Then a second row is created with the remaining students in descending rank.

          Students are permitted to decorate their gi with whatever patches they like, so long as they are not offensive or advertise for any company other than our school.  There are a few patches that have specific locations where they must be sewn.  The school patch belongs on the left chest.  The AUA federation patch belongs on the right chest.  The American flag is to be sewn onto the left shoulder.  Lastly, the outside of the right pant leg is reserved for weapon patches that students receive during special seminars.

          When a student is ready to test is determined by the instructor.  The instructor accesses the student’s progress during every class and will invite the student to a test when the minimum requirements for their next rank have been met.  Generally speaking, it could take anywhere from two to six months for a student’s first promotion.  This depends on their ability to memorize the required material, the number of classes attended, and their ability to listen to the instructor and follow directions.  Tardiness and behavior during class are also taken into account.

       When the instructor starts the class, students are expected to be ready to line up and begin.  This means that shoes are put away, gis are tied properly and students are prepared to enter the classroom.  Students who arrive after the instructor has called the start of class must line up after the lowest rank in the room and will be marked as late.  Occasional tardiness is understandable.  Regular offenders will not test, regardless of ability, until attendance improves.  Also, there are no bathroom breaks during our classes.  The longest class is only an hour long and the bathrooms are on the opposite end of the building.  Instead of taking time from training, go before class starts.

Improved reflexes and co-ordination

Increased performance in all physical activities

Increased strength and stamina so you feel great all day

Increased flexibility and weight control for better overall fitness

Cardiovascular workouts ( heart and lungs ) to keep you in top shape

Greatly improved balance

Ability to defend yourself

Pee Wee Students Ages 4+5

Pre-Yellow Belt Requirements

Fundamentals:

Hand Strikes:                    Kicks:                

___ Front Punch                                 ___ Snapping Front Ball Kick

___ Thrust Punch                               ___ Snapping Side Kick

___ Back Punch                                   ___ Snapping Back Kick

___ Palm Heel                                     ___ Knee

___ Tiger’s Claw                               

___ Hammer Strike                               Footwork / Stances:

___ Knife Hand                                  ___ Front Position

                                                                   ___ Horse Stance

Blocks:                                               ___ Neutral Position

___ 8 Point Blocking System                ___ Half-moon Stance

Techniques:

Stationary Attacks:

___ #1 Circles                                   ___ #1 Hug & Poke        

___ #2 Twin Escape      

                                                Hair Grab:

Front Strangle:                                  ___ #1 Twister

___ Child’s Prayer *

___ Child’s Blessing *                         Double Wrist Defense:

___ #1 Duck & Spin                            ___ #1 Twisted Talon

___ #1 Duck & Spin                                     ___ #1 Grip of Death

The techniques presented here are the most basic in the system that appear in the first few regular checklists.  This checklist differs from the Yellow belt checklist because the Pee Wee class is more concerned with teaching the students how to follow directions and listen to instructions.  This rank has been included in the system to allow younger students the opportunity to experience progress earlier, rather than having to wait six months or more to earn their first belt.           

* These two techniques are not a part of the regular Asian American Kenpo Karate curriculum.  

   They are added here to help keep the younger student’s techniques as basic as possible.  Older

   students may use them as bonus techniques to supplement the ones they do need for promotion.

Fundamentals:

Hand Strikes:                    Kicks:                

___ Front Punch                                 ___ Snapping Front Ball Kick

___ Thrust Punch                               ___ Snapping Front Instep Kick

___ Back Punch                                   ___ Snapping Side Kick

___ Hook Punch                                  ___ Snapping Back Kick

___ Uppercut                                     ___ Knee

___ Palm Heel                                   

___ Back Fist                                       Footwork / Stances:

___ Knife Hand                                  ___ Front Position

___ Cross Knife                                 ___ Horse Stance

___ Ridge Hand                                  ___ Neutral Stance

                                                                    ___ Half-moon Stance

Blocks:                                  ___ Half-mooning

___ 8 Point Blocking System

                                                        Combinations:

Sets / Forms:                                ___ 6

___ 1^st ½ Hand Set 1                                     ___ 7

Techniques:

Stationary Attacks:

___ #1 Circles                                    ___ #1 Beggar’s Salute

___ #2 Twin Escape

___ #3 Spreading Wings                             Front Strangle:

                                                                    ___ #1 Duck & Spin

Rear Strangle:

___ #1 Duck & Spin                                     One Hand Gi Grab:

___ #1 Lone Kimono

Two Hand Gi Grab:

___ #1 Hug & Poke                                       Shoulder Grab:     

                                                                    ___ #1 Sword & Hammer
                                                                            (Right to Left)

Hammer Lock:                

___ #1 Releasing Hammer

___ #1 Shielding Mace                       ___ #1 Varying Mace

1. Students will not wear their belt ranks outside of the classroom, unless permitted by the chief instructor.
2. Students will kneel when tying and untying their belts.
3. Students must show respect to the school by bowing in and out of the classroom as well as refraining from touching the walls, unless permitted by the chief instructor.
4. Students must be clean, and finger nails and toe nails should be cut short.
5. Students must properly wear a clean repaired Gi at all times. (Jacket must be on unless specific training requires it to be off.)
6. Students will tuck their shirt into their Gi pants.
7. Students must not wear rings, dangly earrings or necklaces during class; wedding rings and stud earrings are allowed.
8. Students must not chew gum or candy during class. 
9. Arrive early enough to get into you Gi and be ready when the class or event is called to order.
10. During formal classes, no one will leave the workout area without the permission of the senior Black Belt. 
11. Respect all senior grades, and address Brown Belts as Mister, Miss, or Misses. Black Belts should be addressed by their rank or Sensei.
12. Students must be quiet, obedient, and attentive to the instructors at all times. Students must not sit or lie on the floor or engage in idle chatter while in class.
13. Students must always be helpful and courteous to lower ranks.
14. All students share in the responsibility for keeping the class room safe and clean.
15. Students must not practice any technique that has not been formally introduced to them by the instructor in charge or one appointed by him/her. 
16. Students must remember that the teachings are safe as long as one keeps in mind the dangers and harm that can come from these teachings if not controlled.
17. Students may not engage in sparring without being under the direct supervision of a Black Belt.
18. Students must refrain from casting views on other arts with which they are not familiar. All arts have the same basic aim within their teachings: to cultivate the individual's mind, embody his/her mental culture, and above all, to perfect his/her character.
19. No student should be made to feel as though they do not belong or are inferior to others. Any student who mocks or insults another will be removed from the class.
20. Students must approach and correct others not abiding by the school rules. Anyone who violates these rules will be subject to disciplinary action as directed by the chief instructor.
21. Any student using his/her skills outside the school irresponsibly will be expelled from the class.

William H. French III - Senior Instructor
Asian American Kenpo Karate
 

Shihan Bill French has been training in the martial arts since 1994. 
After receiving his black belt in Shaolin Kempo in 1996, he has expanded
his studies to include American Kenpo and American Goju. 
Mr. French has combined this knowledge to create Asian American
Kenpo Karate. 
He currently holds a 5th degree black belt in Kenpo and
a 4th degree black belt with the Academy of Universal Arts.