ENGLAND WADO-KAI KARATE-DO RENMEI (EWKR) GUIDELINES FOR KARATE PAIR WORK TRAINING

These guidelines apply to all students, whether adults or children when carrying out karate pair work. With regard to children, the guidelines are an addition to EWKR’s Safeguarding policy. Experienced Sensei will already apply these guidelines, but they should provide a useful reminder and be helpful to those starting to take classes.

Introduction

The minimum age for starting Karate is six, but the build, maturity and attention span of individuals varies widely, and training should be designed to take account of these factors.  

In general, the younger the child, the shorter the attention span. One hour is generally considered sufficient training time for the average 12-year-old or below.

Young children are particularly vulnerable during training as they are still developing physically and mentally, so instructors need to be aware of the added responsibilities this brings. Children should not simply be treated as small adults with small adult bodies.

The following are some basic principles applicable to both children and adult students.

Warming up for classes

All karate training activities should start with warm-up exercises that are appropriate for the level of activity taking place and the age, development and fitness of the students. 

Do’s

• • Instructors need to familiarise themselves with the sort of warm-up exercises that are suitable for children of different ages and abilities.
• • The focus for both children and adults should be on movements that help develop mobility of muscles and joints, balance, and a general level of fitness.

Don’ts

• • Children should not do assisted stretching - they generally do not need to, and there is a risk of injury with an inconsiderate or over-enthusiastic partner. 
• • Exercises such as knuckle press-ups or impact work, such as hitting heavy bags, are also not appropriate for children, as their joints are still developing and can be damaged by such activities. Such exercises are not appropriate as warm-ups for adults either.

Karate Pair Work

Karate pair work involves attacks (punches, strikes, kicks) and defensive moves (brushes, blocks, foot sweeps and controlled takedowns). The key word in all of this is ‘controlled’.

Pair work teaches distance, focus and timing, and this needs to be explained so that all students understand this. Students also need to know that it is okay for partners to tell each other if they feel either of them are being too ‘rough’.

In a properly supervised class, pair work should not result in any injury to the attacker or defender. However, the nature of the techniques means there is always an element of risk, so to ensure safe practice:

• • All classes must be run by an experienced instructor who should ensure that students are taught controlled techniques that will not cause injury.
• • Ideally, pair work partners should be matched according to similar age, height, weight, size and ability. However, the mixed nature of classes means this is not always possible and/or it may be helpful to students to mix grades within the class. In such cases, careful judgement must be made by the Sensei on the suitability of any pairings so as to ensure the speed and level of force of techniques is matched to the abilities of the lower grade student.
• • As a general rule, an adult student or instructor should not be paired with a junior either for demonstration or training purposes. Separate attack and defence moves can be demonstrated individually by the instructor.
• • Wherever mats are used, these must be checked for suitability and safety, particularly where mats have been joined together.
• • Instructors need to make sure that no jewellery (e.g. wrist-watches, Fit Bits, earrings, studded rings) is worn by students whilst practising pair work. This is one of the dojo rules and is important since jewellery can cause injuries. 
• • The training area must be checked for any obstacles or surfaces that could cause harm.

Kumite – free sparring and competitions

EWKR clubs are responsible for providing a safe environment in which sparring, the organisation’s fight club and competitions can take place under careful supervision by experienced senior instructors. In addition to the points in the pair work section above, good practice includes:

• • Mouthguards and mitts are mandatory for gradings and free fighting (There may be exceptions for medical reasons at the discretion of Sensei). Separate rules apply for competitions and dedicated kumite training - see point below.
• • For competition, participants are expected to wear appropriate protective equipment such as a gumshield, gloves, shin and instep pads, body protector and a headguard.
• • Mixed gender sparring is allowed for children up to 11 years of age.
• • All students need to understand the target areas, level of contact allowed and the scoring and penalty system.
• • For children, no head contact is permitted due to significant health concerns regarding the health impacts of concussion.
• • For Senior kumite competitors, non-injurious, light, controlled “touch” contact to the face, head, and neck (but not to the throat) is allowed.
• • Parents/guardians of children should be encouraged to stay and watch. However, photography or filming is not allowed unless agreed with the instructor.

Dealing with potential injuries

In order to deal with any injuries that do occur, all EKWR clubs must:

• • Keep an easily accessible in-class list of emergency contact names and numbers for all students, whether child or adult.
• • Inform parents/guardians if a child is injured or has an accident. Similarly, inform the appropriate family member if an adult is injured.
• • Keep a record of any injuries that occur.
• • Have at least one person in the dojo during normal training who is first aid trained and capable of recognising and responding to an injury at an appropriate level.
• • Keep a well-stocked first aid kit in the dojo, which is checked regularly to ensure contents are not out of date.
• • Always administer minor first aid in the presence of other people.

Minor injuries that could occur include sprains, strains or bruises. More serious injuries to guard against include concussion from a knock on the head (see Head Injuries section below), or injury to joints or bones from falling on a hard floor.

In a properly supervised class, these kinds of injuries should not occur. However, if a student (or someone else in the dojo) appears to sustain an injury, they must immediately be checked to assess the nature of the problem.

Head injuries

Head injuries are unlikely; if they occur, they are a very serious concern.

If someone has sustained a head injury and has any of the following symptoms, then an ambulance must be called via 999:

• • been knocked unconscious
• • vomited since the incident
• • difficulty staying awake or keeping their eyes open
• • any seizure activity
• • fallen from a height of more than 1 metre or 5 stairs
• • changes to their vision or hearing
• • a black eye without direct injury to the eye or bruising behind the ears
• • blood or clear fluid coming from their ears or nose
• • numbness or weakness in a part of their body
• • problems with walking, balance, understanding, speaking or writing
• • a head wound with a dent to the head

Where an injury has occurred involving a blow to the head without any of the above symptoms, the emergency contact person must always be immediately informed, as symptoms of concussion may not appear for up to 3 weeks. They may not therefore be apparent during training.

If the injured person develops any of the above symptoms, they should attend either the nearest Accident & Emergency (A&E) or Minor Injuries Unit.

Always seek expert advice from a qualified first aider or a medical professional if in doubt about any injury.

Contacts

EWKR Health & Safety Officer Kevin Holden

EWKR Child Safeguarding Officer Maggy Jennings