Hanratty on Karate

Sensei Hanratty explains why you rarely see stances in competition or on the street. He also describes a stance drill he’s designed. Key quote: “When you’re delivering a technique, that’s when you need your platform.”

Sensei Hanratty discusses the origins of the Heian katas, including the weapons bans in medieval Japan.

Sensei Hanratty discusses how to adjust your training as you age.

Sensei Hanratty offers his thoughts on the book Meditations on Violence: A Comparison of Martial Arts Training & Real World Violence , by Sgt. Rory Miller.

Sensei John Hanratty discusses the use of safety equipment in competitions.

Sensei John Hanratty with the Canadian Shotokan Karate Association offers his thoughts on effective officiating for karate competitions.

Sensei Hanratty wraps up his discussion of the 20 precepts, focusing on numbers 11 through 20: 11) Karate is like boiling water; without heat, it returns to its tepid state. 空手は湯の如し、絶えず熱度を与えざれば元の水に戻る________________________________________ 12) Do not think of winning; think, rather, of not losing. 勝つ考えは持つな、負けぬ考えは必要 ________________________________________...

Sensei Hanratty continues his discussion of Master Funakoshi's 20 precepts, focusing on precepts 8, 9, and 10.8th PreceptDo not think that karate training is only in the dojo.道場のみの空手と思うな(Dōjō nomi no karate to omou na)9th PreceptKarate is a lifelong pursuit.空手の修業は一生である(Karate no shugyō wa isshō de aru)10th PreceptApply the way of karate to all things. Therein lies its bea...

Sensei Hanratty continues his discussion of Master Funakoshi's 20 precepts, focusing on precepts five, six, and seven. Precept 5: Mental technique is more important than physical technique. 技術より心術 Gijutsu yori shinjutsu. Precept 6: The mind must be set free. 心は放たん事を要す Hitotsu, kokoro wa hanatan koto o yōsu. Precept 7: Calamity springs from carelessness. 禍は懈怠に生ず Hitotsu, w...

Sensei Hanratty discusses Master Funakoshi's fourth precept: "First know yourself, then know others. "先ず自己を知れ、而して他を知れ。 Mazu jiko o shire, shikashite ta o shire.

Sensei Hanratty discusses the first three of Master Funakoshi's 20 Precepts: 1) Karate begins and ends with courtesy.(Karate-dō wa rei ni hajimari, rei ni owaru.) 2) There is no first attack in karate.(Karate ni sente nashi.) 3) Karate stands on the side of justice.(Karate wa gi no tasuke.)

Sensei Hanratty discusses how to identify and recover from martial arts injuries.

Sensei Hanratty discusses the awarding of 10th Dans and what makes a karateka worthy of a particular grade.

Sensei Hanratty discusses why he's not a big fan of the side snap kick. He also touches on the following: -The power sources of rotation, counter-rotation, vibration, lifting/dropping, and pendulum -Proper delivery of kekomi -Role of kime in kicks -Importance of returning to “ready position” -Why, “If you have to block, you’re probably to late” Recorded on February 18, 2026

Sensei Hanratty discusses the following: -The three main body types and the types of activities to get the best out of them -Ability vs. capability -Different types of stretching -Why the learning curve is steep at the start -Importance of visualization in martial arts

Sensei Hanratty offers thoughts on how he grades and how other instructors grade. He touches on the following: -How grading systems have evolved -The first things he teaches students -Evolution of his grading guide and syllabus -What he looks for in Heian Shodan -What he looks for at gradings -Using the voice as a weapon -Signature moves in katas -The difference between commercial dojos and tradit...

Sensei Hanratty discusses the following: -Some of the nicest dojos he’s seen -Things to consider if thinking of running a full-time dojo -Why running a dojo is a huge responsibility Key quote: “It’s a balancing act between teaching good, traditional karate and attracting enough students to be able to afford to do that.” Sensei Hanratty also reads the epilogue to a private memoir he recently wrote.

Sensei Hanratty discusses the following: -Why the focus in your first year of training is going to be 90% physical -The role of self discipline at the start -How too much focus on competition can be to the detriment of other aspects of karate -Extrinsic and intrinsic sources of sports motivation

Sensei Hanratty offers coaching tips. Among the topics discussed: -The difference between coaching and instructing -How to build a good team -Tips for teaching kids, including the role that parents play Key quote: “What I always want to do is bring out the best in you.”

Sensei Hanratty looks at the differences between the Shotokan and Goju Ryu styles. He also discusses the following: -Difference between inside tension and outside tension stances -Urban myths surrounding karate, such as ripping flesh from an opponent -How most weapons will work if you hit the right target -Location of nerve centers -How his traditional dojo is set up

In the 66th episode of the Hanratty on Karate Podcast, Sensei John Hanratty discusses the following: -A trip some of his students just took to Okinawa, where they trained with a Gōjū-ryū grandmaster. -Criteria he follows when taking juniors on international trips. -How the Gōjū-ryū style, and particularly its kata, differs from Shotokan. Episode recorded on November 24, 2025

Sensei Hanratty discusses ethics, morals, standards, and responsibilities in the dojo. He touches on the following: -Certification of instructors -Why there should be a governing body for martial arts schools -How ethics and morals are set by an instructor and organization

Sensei Hanratty discusses how katas evolve. He also touches on:-Teaching Jitte kata-Using a bō in the kata-Whether some katas are meant to be done with a weapon-Doing variations on kata for demonstrationsKey quote: “The goal is to get better every day in your karate, in your philosophy, and in the way you look at the world.” Episode recorded on November 11, 2025

Sensei Hanratty breaks down the application of the katas Kanku Dai and Heian Shodan.

Sensei Hanratty discusses his views on kata application and how you can reverse engineer katas to come up with bunkai.