How to tie a belt on a karate gi

To practice karate, you need a kimono and a properly tied belt (obi). Karate is a special world in which every detail is important. The belt is a special symbol of the continuous self-improvement of the body, soul and self-knowledge of the master. Its color changes depending on experience and skills. We will tell you how to tie a belt correctly.

Purpose and general rules for tying a belt in karate

This accessory certainly plays an important role and has practical applications. It prevents the kimono from opening during training or competition. Indeed, if it is not fastened correctly, the enemy can easily tighten it, which leads to unpleasant consequences and defeat. With a properly worn obi, the athlete looks disciplined and in full combat readiness.

IMPORTANT! The neatness of the knot demonstrates the degree of diligence of its owner and the general attitude towards classes.

It also carries symbolic meaning.The art of mastering all kinds of karate techniques is an entire philosophy based on the ancient customs and heritage of the Japanese. The color of the item indicates the following information.

• A beginner and inexperienced student is given a white belt as a symbol of a “blank slate.”
• Numerous activities are characterized by the color yellow. It gradually becomes saturated with sweat and turns brown.
• Only after years, as experience accumulates and the highest skill is achieved, the athlete is assigned the color black.
• To achieve complete peace of mind, the product must again become crystal white, having faded from the sun. This means that the student has acquired all the mysteries of mastery and no longer needs mentoring.

Currently, many schools have been opened that use their own systems for assessing student skills. Up to 11 colors can be used. However, the basic shades remain unchanged.
It is necessary to accurately select an obi at the time of purchase. Please check its dimensions carefully.

IMPORTANT! For a student of medium size, the length should be 2.6–2.8 m. When buying a children's version, choose a product made of soft knitwear.

The young athlete does not yet have the necessary strength to firmly tighten a rigid belt into a knot. Lighter material is much easier to handle. The obi is usually made from a pair of cotton layers.

How to tie a belt in karate

IMPORTANT! It is allowed to start training only in a tied kimono.

The accessory is tied in such a way that during movement there are no obstacles and no feeling of awkward movements. Whatever tying option is chosen, the meaning always remains the same.

• The application below the navel means that karate gives and ends life, but at the same time aims to protect it.
• The ends crossed at the back are a symbol of readiness for military operations that go behind the back.
• Bringing ends forward is a symbol of accepting the inevitability of what is happening.
• Drawing one tip up indicates the improvement of a person, and from top to bottom - the memory of the masters of past centuries.

Tying rules

• The ends of the tied accessory must be the same length. This is a kind of symbol of harmony of the physical and mental world.
• The belt must be selected taking into account the height and parameters of the person so that it did not hang below the knees and was slightly higher than the bottom edge of the jacket.
• At one end the athlete’s name and surname are written - a symbol of strength. And on the other they indicate the name of the organization - a symbol of the spirit.
• It is customary for karatekas to tie the end with the name on the right side, and the organization, on the contrary, on the left.
• The belt is tied on a strong knotso that it firmly fixes the jacket and does not come undone during class.
• The knot should be strictly in the center of the abdomen. The athlete should feel how, at the moment of concentration, the abdominal muscles contract and it would be impossible to put his hand under the belt.

ATTENTION! Not all karatekas succeed in tying a belt correctly the first time. However, after a couple of training sessions, most people start doing it with their eyes closed.

How to tie a belt in Kyokushin

Experts advise choosing the right belt length and initially training at home. The method differs in that at the very beginning it is necessary to fold it not perfectly in half, but with a slight offset. As a result, the left end will be longer and more “working”. The left end can be wrapped around, but the right end will be shorter and will not wrap around the waist.

Algorithm of actions

• Place the belt behind your back and wrap it around your waist so that the tails are at the front.
• Leave the right end free.
• Move the left tip to the middle of the abdomen and place it on the right.
• Next, pass the left part under all layers of the accessory at the waist.
• The ends should be aligned in length.
• Then wrap the left tail around the right end and tie it into one knot.
• Next, tighten slightly by adjusting the tightening force.
• Take the same end and tuck it under the outer circle, not reaching the end so that a loop is formed.
• Take the other tip and point it upward and the loop in a downward direction so that it goes under the circles.
• The ends are tightened until they stop.

How to tie a belt in Shotokan karate

This method suitable for beginners and is simple and reliable. To tie a belt correctly, follow a certain sequence of actions.

• Fold the waistband in half and locate the middle.
• Place the middle of the belt below the navel and wrap it twice around your waist. One end is in the outer circle, and the other is in the inner circle.
• Pass the outer end under the cords at the waist and push it up.
• Next, tighten it slightly by adjusting the tightening force.
• Using the top end of the belt, make a knot around the bottom end and insert it into the loop.
• If everything is done correctly, the free ends will be directed downwards.
• Then bring the belt out and tighten the knot horizontally.
• It is considered ideal if, after tying, both ends are of equal length.

REFERENCE! You should know that a knot tied using this technology will never unravel on its own. This gives the karateka a feeling of confidence and security.

To master karate, it is necessary not only to study the technique of striking, but also to become imbued with the philosophy of combat and study many little details. It’s definitely not worth neglecting the knowledge of wearing special clothes and tying a belt. After all, this is what increases the chances of achieving high results. We hope that the article will be useful and will help you quickly master the basics of tying a karate belt.