When you start
To begin with, wear a tracksuit or if you have trained before wear your gi & belt and if you are enjoying the training you can invest in a black gi and club badge afterwards. After a month we will organize personal accident insurance.
The training nights generally start with warm-ups, bag work and two-man drills. The class then breaks into groups for to do individual training of techniques and finally "live" training (sparring or self-defence). Belt gradings are not our priority but come with improvement in health, confidence, attitude and application which are far more important. Our main goal is to make every night enjoyable, safe and educational.
If physical limitations such as a bad back or limited joint movement etc. prevent you from performing some of the techniques then alternative applications can be worked out. Should there be medical limitations we need to know in advance. For example asthmatics and diabetics should have their medication on hand.
Some people have had a trauma in their past and the physical nature of our style could cause a flashback. If nervous or uncomfortable training with any element or person we will try to make change to accommodate. We encourage our members to train often as possible and have no problems with cross training at other clubs. In fact Jessica, Jacinta, Phil, David and Paul are students who received blackbelts after only a few months at one karate club.
Each step of the syllabus is designed to build and add onto skills. The drills can be expanded on as skills and fitness developes. Contact during sparring is at a level that you're comfortable with. Along the way the syllabus will give an insight to traditional Japanese karate, the judo is kept basic and the self-defence is taught by way of principles that should NOT require strength but co-ordinated application. Many of the techniques were developed well before the Japanese and Chinese interpretation but their spiritual and organizational skills can't be ignored. We are an Australian style. We respect that which has gone before and we embrace the never changing principles that were then, are now and will be in the future. However the applications have evolved for our time.
We often have guest instructors who share with us their way. It doesn't take long to realize we are all from the same tree. This helps those who wish to continue on the journey for many years by developing their own network of peers within the better martial arts community.
To begin with, wear a tracksuit or if you have trained before wear your gi & belt and if you are enjoying the training you can invest in a black gi and club badge afterwards. After a month we will organize personal accident insurance.
The training nights generally start with warm-ups, bag work and two-man drills. The class then breaks into groups for to do individual training of techniques and finally "live" training (sparring or self-defence). Belt gradings are not our priority but come with improvement in health, confidence, attitude and application which are far more important. Our main goal is to make every night enjoyable, safe and educational.
If physical limitations such as a bad back or limited joint movement etc. prevent you from performing some of the techniques then alternative applications can be worked out. Should there be medical limitations we need to know in advance. For example asthmatics and diabetics should have their medication on hand.
Some people have had a trauma in their past and the physical nature of our style could cause a flashback. If nervous or uncomfortable training with any element or person we will try to make change to accommodate. We encourage our members to train often as possible and have no problems with cross training at other clubs. In fact Jessica, Jacinta, Phil, David and Paul are students who received blackbelts after only a few months at one karate club.
Each step of the syllabus is designed to build and add onto skills. The drills can be expanded on as skills and fitness developes. Contact during sparring is at a level that you're comfortable with. Along the way the syllabus will give an insight to traditional Japanese karate, the judo is kept basic and the self-defence is taught by way of principles that should NOT require strength but co-ordinated application. Many of the techniques were developed well before the Japanese and Chinese interpretation but their spiritual and organizational skills can't be ignored. We are an Australian style. We respect that which has gone before and we embrace the never changing principles that were then, are now and will be in the future. However the applications have evolved for our time.
We often have guest instructors who share with us their way. It doesn't take long to realize we are all from the same tree. This helps those who wish to continue on the journey for many years by developing their own network of peers within the better martial arts community.
Strong Karate / Practical Ju-jitsu / Realistic Self-Defence
Strong Karate / Practical Ju-jitsu / Realistic Self-Defence
The Badge
The patch was designed with the our history in mind. Sensei Dave Gooding in Queensland told me the story of how while changing ready to fight in one of the contact tournaments in the 1970's he overheard a conversation between two other competitors. One asked the other "Any particular fighters to watch out for?" the other replied "The guys with the red and black badge". Dave says it was a proud moment as he donned his gi. Rob Dobson Karate patch was red fists crossed on the black background. Wally Szlagowski also had a black patch at one time with a red dragon on it for the Blacktown Dragons Karate. When the freestyle jujitsu club was formed the badge represented two fighters sweeping while wearing black gi pants and white top to show we weren't judo. So the new patch brings together red and black with the same fighters embraced by a Japanese dragon ( has 3 toes).
The patch was designed with the our history in mind. Sensei Dave Gooding in Queensland told me the story of how while changing ready to fight in one of the contact tournaments in the 1970's he overheard a conversation between two other competitors. One asked the other "Any particular fighters to watch out for?" the other replied "The guys with the red and black badge". Dave says it was a proud moment as he donned his gi. Rob Dobson Karate patch was red fists crossed on the black background. Wally Szlagowski also had a black patch at one time with a red dragon on it for the Blacktown Dragons Karate. When the freestyle jujitsu club was formed the badge represented two fighters sweeping while wearing black gi pants and white top to show we weren't judo. So the new patch brings together red and black with the same fighters embraced by a Japanese dragon ( has 3 toes).
Gradings
You begin with a White belt then Yellow, Orange, Green, Blue and Brown. These are Mudansha gradings. The Blackbelt is next and is called Shodan (1st Dan, 1st Degree Black). This is the "begining belt" The rest is basics. We do have levels of Black Belt, however the older Menkyo method is more relevent in Jujitsu with 4 levels being Menkyo Shoden, Menkyo Chuden, Menkyo Okuden and the Menkyo Kaiden.
What is Karate, Judo and Jujitsu
There are thousands of different styles in existence now days, many begining in history from Greek Pankration or Chinese Kenpo.
Simply and in general terms with translations to help:
Jinen - Natural (also shizen)
Kara - Empty
Te - Hand
Ju - Gentle or Compliant
Do - Way or Path
Jitsu - Art or Method (also jutsu)
Kara-te is a martial art that employs mostly the striking or impact elements of combat. Prior to it being popularized by the Japanese it was called "Te" from Okinawa and often has a focus on sport and kata.
While there is a lot of history prior to the formal naming of karate officially it was recognized in 1936. One of the first of 6 styles was Shindo Jinen Ryu Karate Jutsu developed by Yasuhiro Konishi. It was Yasuhiro that graded GM Wally Slagowski to Shodan. Szlagowski Karate began in Australia in about 1952. Oyama's karate officially opened Kyokushinkai kan in 1964.
Ju-do is a sport of mostly throwing the opponent and submitting them through major joint locking and strangling. The popular sport of Brazilian Jiu jitsu was developed with a bigger emphasis on the Judo groundwork. Wally Szlagowski was a Blackbelt in both Judo and Jujitsu.
Ju-Jitsu had many influences developed by different families over thousands of years. From this was developed the different sports such as judo and karate. As well as these entities it can incorporate small joint-locking techniques (fingers and wrists), dirty fighting (eye gouging, groin strikes, fish hooking the mouth etc) and weaponry including rope tying techniques. The name can also be spelt Jiu Jitsu (recognized by many as BJJ) and Ju Jutsu.
"Do" verses "Jutsu": it is always argumentative as to what they really imply. However "Do" is usually taken as the "way" of a style and there is usually a greater focus on sport, history, spirit and formalities. This is seen in the naming of styles such as Aiki-Do, Iai-Do, ken-Do etc. Most karate styles should be more accurately stated as Karate-Do. Our focus is more on the Jutsu or "art" of combat with focus on strength, application and character with training to defend from habitual acts of physical violence. We do believe however the sporting side of the martial arts is important for conditioning and character building although we train for contact competitions.
You begin with a White belt then Yellow, Orange, Green, Blue and Brown. These are Mudansha gradings. The Blackbelt is next and is called Shodan (1st Dan, 1st Degree Black). This is the "begining belt" The rest is basics. We do have levels of Black Belt, however the older Menkyo method is more relevent in Jujitsu with 4 levels being Menkyo Shoden, Menkyo Chuden, Menkyo Okuden and the Menkyo Kaiden.
What is Karate, Judo and Jujitsu
There are thousands of different styles in existence now days, many begining in history from Greek Pankration or Chinese Kenpo.
Simply and in general terms with translations to help:
Jinen - Natural (also shizen)
Kara - Empty
Te - Hand
Ju - Gentle or Compliant
Do - Way or Path
Jitsu - Art or Method (also jutsu)
Kara-te is a martial art that employs mostly the striking or impact elements of combat. Prior to it being popularized by the Japanese it was called "Te" from Okinawa and often has a focus on sport and kata.
While there is a lot of history prior to the formal naming of karate officially it was recognized in 1936. One of the first of 6 styles was Shindo Jinen Ryu Karate Jutsu developed by Yasuhiro Konishi. It was Yasuhiro that graded GM Wally Slagowski to Shodan. Szlagowski Karate began in Australia in about 1952. Oyama's karate officially opened Kyokushinkai kan in 1964.
Ju-do is a sport of mostly throwing the opponent and submitting them through major joint locking and strangling. The popular sport of Brazilian Jiu jitsu was developed with a bigger emphasis on the Judo groundwork. Wally Szlagowski was a Blackbelt in both Judo and Jujitsu.
Ju-Jitsu had many influences developed by different families over thousands of years. From this was developed the different sports such as judo and karate. As well as these entities it can incorporate small joint-locking techniques (fingers and wrists), dirty fighting (eye gouging, groin strikes, fish hooking the mouth etc) and weaponry including rope tying techniques. The name can also be spelt Jiu Jitsu (recognized by many as BJJ) and Ju Jutsu.
"Do" verses "Jutsu": it is always argumentative as to what they really imply. However "Do" is usually taken as the "way" of a style and there is usually a greater focus on sport, history, spirit and formalities. This is seen in the naming of styles such as Aiki-Do, Iai-Do, ken-Do etc. Most karate styles should be more accurately stated as Karate-Do. Our focus is more on the Jutsu or "art" of combat with focus on strength, application and character with training to defend from habitual acts of physical violence. We do believe however the sporting side of the martial arts is important for conditioning and character building although we train for contact competitions.
Come along and give us a try. If it's not practical or you would like a venue for younger children please call and as part of the "Better Martial Arts Community" we'll help you to find the right club.
Basic/introduction Belts
Transition Belts
Finished basics/first Belt
Shodan - begining belt
Shodan - begining belt
Senior instructor Belt
Shihan - 5th Dan>
Shihan - 5th Dan>
Only Blackbelts of the Szlagowski lineage can wear this badge.
WELCOME
Many of the Japanese styles were developed as part of school curriculums and sport which involve a lot of formalities and tradition. Our link with Japanese karate is relevant, but the Australian style developed for all situations by the workers on the Snowy River Scheme includes Judo and Jujitsu influences giving us a greater and more realistic approach to combat and self-defence.
Our inherited sporting base is “contact karate” and within the style we encourage training with this in mind.
“Contact karate” means you are being conditioned to fight, to work in close, to have strength in techniques and can apply these principles in training and life. We don’t just bash away, we make openings by taking advantage of our opponent’s actions and reactions. We train self-defense against "habitual acts of physical violence" (a phrase quoted by Patrick McCarthy) with a greater focus on today’s culture rather than the formalities of the past.
Our members consist of males and females aging 7 to 60years, and some with over 40 years experience in martial arts. Many have physical challenges as well as daily work and life challenges. Some have co-ordination deficiencies or ADHD. Others have trained in various styles before and not only enjoy the diverse range of techniques taught in our jujitsu/karate system but also enjoy the interaction with many other clubs at IBF training days and seminars we host within a network built over nearly 40 years.
Many of the Japanese styles were developed as part of school curriculums and sport which involve a lot of formalities and tradition. Our link with Japanese karate is relevant, but the Australian style developed for all situations by the workers on the Snowy River Scheme includes Judo and Jujitsu influences giving us a greater and more realistic approach to combat and self-defence.
Our inherited sporting base is “contact karate” and within the style we encourage training with this in mind.
“Contact karate” means you are being conditioned to fight, to work in close, to have strength in techniques and can apply these principles in training and life. We don’t just bash away, we make openings by taking advantage of our opponent’s actions and reactions. We train self-defense against "habitual acts of physical violence" (a phrase quoted by Patrick McCarthy) with a greater focus on today’s culture rather than the formalities of the past.
Our members consist of males and females aging 7 to 60years, and some with over 40 years experience in martial arts. Many have physical challenges as well as daily work and life challenges. Some have co-ordination deficiencies or ADHD. Others have trained in various styles before and not only enjoy the diverse range of techniques taught in our jujitsu/karate system but also enjoy the interaction with many other clubs at IBF training days and seminars we host within a network built over nearly 40 years.