sushi_error

I'm sure this belongs here, if not, feel free to move it, mods. Anyways, I've been training in karate since the beginning of September and was promoted to blue belt last month. Obviously, as you move up belt rank, you learn harder, more interesting stuff. However, I am having a lot of trouble remembering many of the fighting stances I have learned so far as a blue belt. My biggest problem is remembering how to step and when to punch or block. I'm just really confused and my sensei does help as much as he can, however, I still can't seem to remember it. My sensei even told me I needed to relax today, because I was so tense. I try to stay relaxed, but when I just don't understand how to do something, I tense up and whatnot. Does anyone have any tips, especially on remembering movements? Thanks!

It is traditional Japanese karate, I think it is Shotokan.

We have been working on Kihon Kumite Number 1 and I am having a lot of trouble doing it. I know we have to get into fighting stance then bring our legs together to do mae geri and mawashi geri. After that, do you step, block down (I'm not sure what the name of it is, but you block gedan), punch, and when you punch your left or right arm has to be by your ear or something? I hope that makes some sense!! I would appreciate any advice.

Hey everyone, Thank you for your wishes and advice! I appreciate it. I finally did it! I was promoted to blue belt tonight and it feels absolutely amazing.

Ah, sorry for posting this in the wrong forum. I still have to do the 2nd part of the exam, because my dojo does not have enough space to do Kata. I think I have that down pretty much. I think the 1st part went OK. Honestly, I could have been better, but I was nervous. I had to do have my sensei repeat the names of blocks for me and I messed up a number of times. He made us do free fighting (kumite, I think?) to show what we knew and I did OK. I think I messed up a few times during this, but that was because I was nervous and I had to think of what I should do. I stayed after class and told my sensei how worried I felt. He told me I did a good job, so I'm not quite sure how I should be feeling now.

I'm going for promotion tomorrow and this is my first time. I am nervous, but at the same time, I am calm. Any suggestions to calm nerves before the exam? Should I do light training tonight?

I started karate back in September and currently am a white belt. I am having difficulty remembering the open hand techniques: - shuto sakotsu uchi - shuto sakotsu uchi komi - shuto hizo uchi - shuto uchi uchi - shuto ganmen uchi I have a list of terms, but I don't find the descriptions clear enough. Can anyone please help me out (e.g. direct me to images, videos)? Thanks so much in advance.