New Zealand Freestyle Martial Arts is the name we have chosen for our style. We combine aspects of most other styles into one system that provides those who train with a broad range of instruction. It has been developed over time by a committed group of instructors and students. NZFMA has an open mind to new ideas, and will actively seek new ways to train and teach.

We are currently a small style that directs its energies into the enjoyment of learning. All our instructors are dedicated to the improvement of their students. Both teacher and student are family to the style.

NZFMA began in its present form in 1987. Prior to that, most of our instructors had trained for some time under the banner of Zen Do Kai. It was when this system altered its direction that some instructors formed NZFMA.

The basic philosophy of these instructors remains unchanged since that time. The focus of our training is to improve our physical skills, and at the same time enjoy our training.

NZFMA makes no demands on any religious beliefs. We have a broad range of ethnic backgrounds training with us. Religion is not our concern as a style.

At the very base of our philosophy are the three statements:

Nothing is free

Everyone works

We all start at the bottom.

FAMILY KAMON

To Contents

Text Box: The illustration shows the design of our family kamon, or crest. This will be used on many items including clothing, stationery, and certificates. Traditionally, the family crest is worn on the gi top, between the shoulder blades, to protect against evil spirits.

Shihan has added to the kamon to personalise it for his own use. Each instructor may also add to the kamon to develop his or her own personalised version.

Kamon themselves have not been around for long as far as Japanese history is concerned, perhaps only for two or three hundred years. There are thousands of different kamon recognised by historians. Ours is new, and is unlikely to be recognised by anyone but ourselves.

UNIFORM

White Top With oval patch on the left breast. It is to be kept clean and in good repair at all times. A tag with the students Christian name on it must be attached to the right breast, opposite the patch.

Black Pants To be kept in good repair at all times.

Coloured Belt To match highest rank achieved.

Mouth-guard

Protective Hand

Pads ( Foot pads optional )

Kanji Pendant ( If awarded )

To attend a grading, the correct uniform must be worn. This is a grading requirement.

DOJO Rules & Etiquette

To Contents

Bow to the dojo when entering and leaving the training area.

No shoes on the dojo training area floor.

No swearing in the dojo.

Keep fingernails and toenails trimmed to prevent injuries.

Follow all directions from the instructor.

There will be no sparring without the correct protective gear.

The dojo training area must be swept before each training session.

Maintain strong discipline without being reminded by the instructor.

The dojo is the entire room that the club uses for training. The dojo training area is that part used for training. It is to this part that the rules apply. Each club will designate a training area.

Keep training clothes clean, tidy, and in good repair for the beginning of each training session.

It is not acceptable for students to train under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Show respect to all those who are training.

Address instructors by their correct rank and answer them respectfully. Use the response, “Yes sir”, “Hai” (yes) or “Osi” (pronounced ‘uss’).

Gi tops must not have sleeves rolled above the elbow. This is interpreted as a sign of aggression.

Ensure you arrive at training on time. If you are late, move quietly into the changing area and then sit and wait in seiza. It is disrespectful to join a class until you have been acknowledged by the instructor, and invited to join the class.

Attend to toilet needs before the start of class.

The Sempai should arrange for the training area to be swept each day.

The student should offer to do this so Sempai need not ask.

Walk behind students who are training, not between them.

Allow the instructor to issue an instruction, then wait for the command word before you execute that instruction. Eg. ( Instruction ) light sparring, no contact ( command ) Hajime.

When lining up for class, the highest rank will be in the front row, at the left of the class.

An adult of a rank is senior to a junior of that same rank.

When you tie or remove your belt, do so kneeling, and facing the rear of the dojo.

Concentrate on training, not looking about the room.

If you are ill, let your instructor know immediately.

Take all jewellery of to protect yourself and other students. The kanji pendant is the exception to this.

Respect all training equipment.

Offer thanks to those who have helped you during training.

Always try to improve your skills during training. That’s why you came.

If you are injured, or get injured, tell your instructor immediately.

Do not train if the risk of injury is high.

Introduce yourself to new members, or to students from other styles, make them welcome.

Style Philosophy

To Contents

NOTHING IS FREE

There is a cost for all things. The cost is how hard we work, and the sacrifices we make in our endeavours to achieve our goals. It may be financial, or it may be pain and effort. The benefits we gain are directly related to the effort we put in.

EVERYBODY WORKS

ALL of us have to work to achieve our individual goals, or those of our style. Even though it may not be immediately evident, all of us have important jobs to do within the style.

WE ALL START AT THE BOTTOM

All of us, no matter who we have become, started at the beginning. This is true for all things, martial arts, career, sports. We all begin with nothing.

Junior grading requirements

To Contents

BLUE BELT

Front punch Reverse punch

Upper block Front kick

Round kick Side kick

Front/Reverse punch combination Upper block/reverse punch

Upper block/reverse front kick Reverse punch/round kick

Heikodachi Fighting stance

Sheikodachi ½ Shuffle

Change over

Kotsugo kata

GREEN BELT

Upper block/palm strike Front/reverse

punch combination

Back fist Ridge hand strike

Middle block/reverse punch Low block/reverse punch

Front kick Round kick

Side kick Back kick

Fighting stance Zenkutsudachi

Sanchindachi Heikodachi

10 minutes sparring

Kotsugo kata Gekisai Dai Ichi kata

PURPLE BELT

Front/reverse punch combination Upper block/reverse punch

Middle block/reverse punch Lower block/reverse punch

Front kick Side kick

Crescent kick Hook kick

Palm strike Ridge hand strike

Uppercut punch Knife hand strike

Spinning crescent kick Spinning back kick

Scoop block Zenkutsudachi

Nekoashidachi Kibidachi

Selected techniques against the bag Selected shuffles

10 minutes sparring

Kotsugo kata Gekisai Dai Ichi kata

Naihanchin kata Sanchin kata

* Brown belt requirements are to be advised when it becomes appropriate.

Senior Grading Requirements

To Contents

BLUE BELT

Objective of grading

Students are to show an understanding of the difference between techniques, and perform them reasonably well.

Techniques

Front punch

Reverse punch

Upper block

Front kick

Round kick

Side kick

Front/reverse combination

Elbow strike

Lower block

Combination of two hand techniques

Combination of two hand and foot techniques

Stances

Heikodachi

Fighting stance

½ shuffle

Sheikodachi

Kibidachi

Changeover

Kata

Kotsugo

Physical

20 Push ups

20 Sit ups

10 minutes of non-contact sparring

To Contents

GREEN BELT

Objective of grading

Clean tidy technique, with good form and moderate power and accuracy.

Techniques

Reverse punch Front punch

Back fist Palm strike

Ridge hand strike

Combinations of up to 3 hand techniques.

Front kick Round kick

Side kick

Combinations of 3 hand and foot techniques.

Static techniques. Blocks

Back kick Lower block

Thigh kick X block

Hook kick Strike block

Crescent kick Upper block

Groin kick

Ridge hand strike

Hook punch

Wrist lock Kata

Knife hand strike Kotsugo

Carotid hold Gekisai Dai Ichi

Stances Physical

Fighting stance 30 push ups

Zenkutsudachi 30 sit ups

Heikodachi 15 minutes of sparring

Full shuffle

Kibidachi

Sanchindachi

NOTES

Combinations may be performed on the move from either the left or right stance.

To Contents

PURPLE BELT

Objective of grading

We are looking for strength of technique, snap and focus. Kata must be clean and performed correctly

Techniques

Reverse punch Arm lock

Front punch carotid hold

Elbow strike Front kick

Hook punch Round kick

Back fist Side kick

Knife hand Hook kick

Palm strike Crescent kick

Ridge hand strike Joint strike

Upper cut Spinning back kick

Rip punch Spinning crescent kick

Wrist strike (koken) Leg throw

Hip throw

Kata Blocks

Kotsugo Scoop block

Gekisai Dai Ichi Palm block

Naihanchin Leg block

Sanchin Strike block

X block

Upper block

Lower block

Stances

Fighting stance Change over

Heikodachi ½ Shuffle

Sheikodachi Full shuffle

Kibidachi Zenkutsudachi

Sanchindachi Nekoashidachi

Against the bag

Front/reverse punch Front elbow

Front kick Side elbow

Round kick Combinations of these

Side kick

Physical

40 Push ups

40 sit ups

20 minutes of sparring

spirit test at the discretion of the instructor.

NOTES

All techniques will be required from both left and right stances, and on the move.

Techniques may be required in combinations of three or more.

Repetitions should be kept to 5-7 techniques, and performed on the move.

A warm up will be taken by the instructor prior to the grading. A warm down will follow the grading.

To Contents

BROWN BELT

Objective of grading

Strong sharp technique and the ability to react naturally are required. Focus and strength are also required

Techniques

Elbow strike Front kick

Rip punch Round kick

Knife hand strike Joint kick

Carotid hold Crescent kick

Hip throw Hook kick

Back fist Jump front kick

Upper cut Leg sweep

Wrist strike Trip throw

Knuckle strike Front punch

Arm lock Reverse punch

Axe kick Spinning back kick

Side kick Spinning crescent kick

Blocks with counters

Upper block/reverse punch Strike block/punch

Lower block/ridge hand strike Leg block/kick

Stances

Zenkutsudachi Kibidachi

Sanchindachi Nekoashidachi

Fighting stance Lunges

Full shuffle ½ shuffle

These stances will be checked in conjunction with other techniques, not as a separate test.

Kata

Kotsugo Gekisai Dai Ichi

Naihanchin Sanchin (tested)

Tensho Personal

Physical

50 push ups 50 sit ups

20 minutes of sparring 3 rounds, 2 opponents

Defences against

Grab from behind Lunging attack from front

Bear hug, arms trapped

NOTES

Any technique may be required against a pad. They will be performed either static or on the move with either foot forward.

Repetitions required are at the instructors discretion.

If we think you are not ready for this level, you will be asked to leave the training area

Safety gear is to be nearby at all times.

To Contents

SHODAN

Objective of grading

To show strength, focus and power. You must also display understanding and good control of technique. Discipline and humility must also be displayed.

Part one

Brown belt grading

Part two

Takedowns

1 sweep and finish off

1 trip throw and finish off

1 hip throw and finish off

Static techniques

Front kick Reverse side kick

Side kick Crescent kick

Back kick Restraint technique

Kata

Seiyunchin Saifa

Kata with yakasu

Seiyunchin Saifa

Personal

Physical

100 push ups 100 sit ups

3 rounds sparring, 2 opponents 30 minutes sparring

Essay

Stating what training towards your black belt has meant to you personally.

It should be clearly hand written on A4 paper and laminated. It will be held by Shihan for posterity.

To Contents

NIDAN

Objective of grading

Demonstration of inner strength

Kata

Kotsugo Gekisai Dai Ichi

Naihanchin Sanchin

Tensho Saiyunchin

Saifa Sanseru

Personal

Physical

30 rounds of sparring, each 2 minutes long. There will be a 5 minute break after the 25^th round.

Sanchin

Personal warm down.

NOTES

Kata at the beginning constitutes most of the warm up. About 2 minutes will be allowed before the start of the sparring.

Hand pads and mouth guards must be worn.

Ice and first aid will be available.

Have a personal assistant to help during the grading.

Participants must be invited to grade.

To Contents

SANDAN

Objective of grading

Kata

Kotsugo Gekisai Dai Ichi

Naihanchin Sanchin

Tensho Saiyunchin

Saifa Sanseru

Seisan Personal

Kata with yakasu

Sanseiru Personal

Seisan

Physical

3 rounds of sparring with one opponent – may be armed.

3 rounds of sparring with 2 black belts.

3 rounds of sparring with 3 opponents.

Rounds to continue until opponent or student is defeated. Students are expected to win all rounds, except that against the three most senior instructors.

Verbal

A speech lasting approximately 5 minutes. It is to relate to how training has influenced the direction of your life.

To Contents

YONDAN

Objective of grading

KATA

Kotsugo Gekisai Dai Ichi

Naihanchin Sanchin

Tensho Saiyunchin

Saifa Sanseru

Seisan Shisushin

Personal

Kata with weapons

3 personal kata, each using a different weapon from the following list:

Jo Bo

Kama Sai

Tonfa Escrima

Knife Nunchaku

Bokken

Other on permission from Shihan.

Written

A poem or verse written in English calligraphy. In the tradition of the samurai, it should be about life and/or death. Written on an A4 sheet, it is to be laminated.

To Contents

SAFETY

KARATE IS A CONTACT SPORT. Some injuries will occur from time to time. NZFMA has a commitment to reducing the likelihood of injury and permanent damage, while maintaining our training effectiveness.

All NZFMA instructors hold a current first aid certificate.

We encourage participants to make suggestions for improving safety during training.

Every participant has the responsibility of ensuring that they train in a manner that is safe for themselves and other students. The instructor is to control this.

In the event of an injury occurring, advise your instructor immediately, so that the necessary steps can be taken to minimise the severity of the injury.

The following procedure will be followed:

Rest - sit down and relax injured area or joint.

Ice - put ice on the injured area

Compression - wrap the injured area to provide support

Elevation - lay down and raise the injured area to reduce swelling

If the injury is severe, then the instructor is responsible for making arrangements for getting the injured person to a doctor.

Initial consultation fees will be paid by NZFMA. On going cost will need to be met by the injured person.

At present ACC covers the cost of sports injuries.

To Contents

JAPANESE-ENGLISH TERMINOLOGY

It is important for the student to be aware that different styles may use different commands than these. The Okinawan forms (used by Goju-Ryu and related styles) are not the same as the mainland Japanese. Most NZFMA instructors work in English.

COMMANDS

Chudan Middle of Body

Dojo Training Place

Gedan Lower Body

Gi Uniform

Hajime Begin

Jodan Upper Body

Kiai Fighting Yell*

Kime Focus

Kumite Free Sparring

Kyu Coloured Belt Rank

Mokuso Close Eyes to Meditate

Mokuso Yame Open Eyes, Finish Meditating

Rei Bow

Seiza Kneel in Formal Position

Yame Stop and return to ready position

Yoi Get Ready

STRIKES

Empai Elbow

Haito Ridgehand

Koken Wrist

Nukite Spearhand

Seiken Knuckle

Shuto Knifehand Edge

Teisho Palmheel

Tetsui Hammerfist

Toho U Shape Inner Hand Strike

Tsuki Punch (Strike)

Ude Forearm

Uraken Backfist

BLOCKS

Chudan Uchi Uke Middle Inner Block

Chudan Soto Uke Middle Outer Block

Gedan Barai Lower Block

Jodan Uke Upper Block

Koken Uke Wrist Block

Mawashi Uke Circular Block

KICKS

Hiza Geri Knee Strike Kick

Kakato Geri Heel Kick

Mae Geri Front Kick

Mawashi Geri Roundhouse Kick

Sotomawashi Geri Crescent Kick

Ushiro Geri Back Kick

Yoko Geri Side Kick

STANCES

Heiko Dachi Feet Shoulder Width Toes In Fists At Side

Heisoku Dachi Feet Together Hands At Side

Hunzenkutsu Dachi Half Forward Leaning Stance

Kamai Fighting Stance

Kiba Dachi Three-quarter Straddle Stance

Kokutsu Dachi Backward Leaning Stance

Musube Dachi Heels together Toes Apart Open Hands At Side

Nekoashi Dachi Cat Stance

Sanshin Dachi Bear Stance

Shiko Dachi Straddle Stance Toes 45 Degrees Apart

Tsuruashi Dachi Crane Stance

Zenkutsu Dachi Forward Leaning Stance

NUMBERS

Ichi 1 Roku 6

Ni 2 Shichi 7

San 3 Hachi 8

Shi 4 Ku 9

Go 5 Ju 10

To Contents