So, you've decided to take the plunge and begin karate - and we know you've now begun a passion that will last you a lifetime. But for a beginner, there is a lot to learn fast, and one of the first questions that beginners tend to have is how to tie a belt in karate. In this post, we'll take a look at how to tie a karate belt and give you some tips to master the art.
What Is The Karate Belt?
The karate belt exists to tie your Gi together and to signify the level of experience you have attained in your practice. Most clubs and disciplines start with either a red or white belt, although some will require students to train for a period of time without a belt at all, until they have graduated to their first level. Most belt systems go through to the black belt, and then black belts achieve further dan grades as they continue to master their art at the highest levels, often with teaching included as part of their development.
How Do You Tie a Karate Belt?
New students tend not to know how to tie a belt in karate as it's a specific skill. Usually, your instructor will give you a tutorial on how to tie a karate belt as part of your lesson. But if you want to get to grips with the skill, these are the main steps:
- Fold the belt in half to find the centre and smooth it out.
- Put the centre at your navel, unfold it and wrap it around your stomach so the centre is above your belly button.
- Wrap the ends around your waist, and then return them to your front, checking that they are even.
- Overlap each of the ends in front of you.
- Take the top end and tuck it under the belt layers.
- . Fold the bottom end of the belt under the top, so that a knot is created.
How To Tie A Karate Belt So That it Has A Wraparound Look
The trick to this look is to use both sides of your belt to tie the knot. Many people take this approach. It's all about practice and taking your time to line up the ends.
How To Tie A Belt In Karate For The Smoothest Look
With this approach, just use the left side of your belt to tie the knot and it will have a smooth, clean line at the end. It can take some practice to get the lengths of your belt right before you get them balanced.
It can be tricky to get to grips with tying a karate belt when you're new to the art, so take your time, keep practising and use a mirror when you need to. Go slowly at first until you get the hang of it, and the move will become second nature with time - along with your practice!
SNWKarate teaches both children and adults in the areas of Chester and Ellesmere Port - if you want to learn more, contact our friendly team via 07855 487026 or book a free trial.
