THE BEGINNER COURSE · THE BLACK SWAN DOJO, OSBORNE PARK

First Contact

A beginner's course in Kyokushin karate

It's your first class, and the first rung on our contact ladder, which involves no contact at all.

Four weekly lessons in a small group of other beginners, then two more inside the regular class so the group joins the dojo together.

THE PLAIN VERSION

Kyokushin is a full-contact style. Beginners start with no-contact partner drills and build toward kumite at their own pace.

HOW EVERY LESSON WORKS

The same four steps, every week

Two journeys run side by side. Kata gives you progression: you build toward a complete first kata. Partner work gives it meaning: you use what you learn with another person, climbing the contact ladder.

1

Review

Revisit the last lesson first. You'll find you remembered more than you thought.

2

Learn

One new movement or idea.

3

Connect

See how it fits into kata and kumite.

4

Partner work

Use it with another person, at the right step of the ladder.

THE SIX LESSONS

What happens, week by week

Lessons 1 to 4 are the beginner course. Lessons 5 and 6 take place inside the regular class, with your group.

LESSON 1 · BEGINNER COURSE

Belonging

I can do this, and I know where this goes.

  • We open by naming the art plainly: this is full-contact karate, kumite is where it goes, you won't do it today, and here is the ladder.
  • Etiquette, posture, your first stance and first punch.
  • The first building block of your kata.
  • Target drills and focus mitts. No contact on a person.

You'll leave thinking: I know where this is going, and nothing is asked of me before I'm ready.

LESSON 2 · BEGINNER COURSE

Stability

I am improving.

  • Stance, stepping, movement, and distance (maai).
  • Moving through your kata.
  • Move into distance and strike the pad. Distance is one ingredient of kumite.

You'll leave thinking: I can move like a karate student.

LESSON 3 · BEGINNER COURSE

Awareness

Karate is more than fighting.

  • Blocking, turning, changing direction, and guard.
  • Your first direction changes in kata.
  • Simple attack-and-block exercises. Before anything starts, we agree the rules: we're not trying to beat each other, we both control the level, and anyone can say "lighter" or "stop" at any time.

You'll leave thinking: I understand why we learn blocks, and I know the rules we train by.

LESSON 4 · BEGINNER COURSE

Integration

I have achieved something.

  • Everything from lessons 1 to 3, put together.
  • The opening sequence of your first kata.
  • Two senior students show a controlled kumite round while the instructor talks you through it in words you already know: distance, guard.
  • An optional, structured light-contact drill using the rules from lesson 3. Nobody is pushed.
  • A closing talk on what comes next, including the grading path and when kumite starts for you.

You'll leave thinking: Everything fits together.

LESSON 5 · REGULAR CLASS

Participation

I can train here.

  • Continue your kata inside the regular class, alongside the rest of the dojo.
  • Extended partner exercises at the level you've agreed.

You'll leave thinking: I belong here.

LESSON 6 · REGULAR CLASS

Possibility

I can see where this goes.

  • Complete your first kata.
  • Use the movements with more timing and awareness.
  • Kumite is named formally and explained, including how steps 1 and 2 fit inside it. You watch steps 3 and 4 in the senior class.

You'll leave thinking: I can continue this journey.

WHERE IT LEADS

The contact ladder

You choose when to take each step, and you won't be asked to take one before you're ready. Either partner can say "lighter" or "stop" at any time, and it's treated as normal.

1

Drills with no contact

Set attacks and responses with pads and mitts.

COVERED IN FIRST CONTACT

2

Agreed light contact

Body only, at an intensity you agree beforehand.

COVERED IN FIRST CONTACT

3

Controlled kumite

Rounds with rules, supervision and protective gear.

LATER · SEEN BY DEMONSTRATION

4

Full-contact kumite

Regular class, for students who have chosen it. Competition is optional, and comes later.

LATER · YOUR CHOICE

WHAT YOU'LL HAVE ACHIEVED

Three moments to look for

AFTER LESSON 1

I can do karate, and I know what this art is.

AFTER LESSON 4

I have achieved something real.

AFTER LESSON 6

I can see myself becoming a Kyokushin student.

WHO THIS IS FOR

  • You've thought about karate and want a real start, not a taster.
  • You've never trained, or you trained another style and want to try Kyokushin.
  • You'd like to learn in a small group where people know your name.
  • You're willing to work, and you want to know where it leads.

WHO THIS ISN'T FOR

  • You want a casual drop-in activity.
  • You want a non-contact or point-sparring class.
  • You want fast belt promotions.
  • You want to compete straight away.

Ready to start, or just want to ask?

Send us a message and ask anything: course dates, cost, what to wear, what to bring. We reply personally.

Message us on WhatsApp

Or email theblackswandojo@gmail.com

Considering this for your teenager? Information for parents