Karate Connection: Sport Karate, Self-Defense For Kids

Chuck Sullivan (7th Degree Black Belt) and Vic LeRoux (5th Degree Black Belt) return with a new program geared towards youngsters. Having produced programs for the Orange Belt (reviewed in the July-August 1991 issue), as well as Purple, Blue, Green, Brown and Black, their latest offers instruction for a Yellow Belt, only available to children. After a brief introduction aimed at parents, wisely advising them to watch and work with their children awhile before shelling out money for a karate class (and then discovering it was only a passing fad interest), Sullivan and LeRoux get down to the basics--the most basic of which is the heavily emphasized and repeated instruction that karate is only used in self-defense, and then only as a last option. The instructors go even further and say that if the child appears to be overaggressive, it's better to stop the training and resume when the child has gained a little more maturity. Excellent close-up camera work and informed instruction are used to teach kids the stances, blocks, punches, kicks, and techniques necessary for the Yellow Belt. As on the previous tapes, Sullivan and LeRoux take viewers through the entire test, and provide instructions as to how they may make a home videotape and submit it for qualification for a Yellow Belt. All of the demonstrations are done with kids, in particular a gifted pair named Christie and Justin who, in a very short time, have become quite proficient at both karate for self-defense and sport karate. Near the close of the program, viewers get a chance to watch the kids engage in controlled, well-mannered, sports karate matches. Safety and non-aggression are covered and extolled, and parents gain additional assurance from the knowledge that the instructors are interested in building confidence, self-control, and respect for others (for instance, all bouts and demonstrations begin with a courtesy "salute"). Inexpensive, sure to be popular, and an easy way for parents to gauge their child's real interest in karate, Karate Connection: Sport Karate, Self-Defense For Kids is highly recommended. Editor's Choice. (Available from: Karate Connection, P.O. Box 4067, Seal Beach, CA 90740.)