How To Explain Karate Kata To Beginner Students |
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By: Stephen Irwin Posted: 2007-02-26 08:33:12 |
| Kata training is at the heart of karate. A kata, on the surface merely looks like a sequence of movements in different directions. At worst it looks like robotic shadow boxing against fixed attacks. Experienced karateka know that this couldn't be further from the truth. But how do you explain kata to a beginner?Imagine getting a new student in your dojo. They complete your beginner program - warming up, safety, etiquette, a few basic moves and perhaps some self defense knowledge. When they are ready to join the main class they will come across kata training for the first time.If your new student enjoys the physical aspects of training, especially pad work, bag work and sparring, he or she might find kata a little off-putting. It is not what you might call regular exercise. So the question is - how do you prepare a new student for kata training?Here is how I explain it.Kata is a pattern of movement. It is a way of recording and remembering various things. Kata is not a mechanical shadow boxing routine and neither is it simply a display of technique for gaining belts and rank progression.Kata contains ideas, concepts and principles. The study of kata involves learning the movments, understanding the movements, applications and developing knowledge of those underlying principles (principles are the engines of martial arts, and indeed all forms of physical activity).The movements and patterns in kata are more important than trying to do techniques. It's the movements that show you (or reminds you) about things that makes it work - but only if you train in applications with a partner, develop your push hands, and spar in a freeform way (at varying levels of intensity).If you know how to fight you can put the fight into the kata, which enhances both - because kata reveals the underlying forms that make things work. Kata without application is just an empty shell.So there you have it. In a nutshell:"Kata is a pattern of movement that teaches you or reminds you about certain concepts, ideas and principles. The movements are more important than the techniques. It is important to understand the nature of the movements and apply them in different ways, training them appropriately. Don't get stuck in technique." |
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