5 is something i've been preaching for a while. i'd also look at the history of kata too; getting the context of a kata can ascend your understand to a higher level. the best way to look at the mountain you are climbing is to climb the one next to it
Incredible guidance. All of this aligns with my thinking. The one I stress most is slow down; concentrate on EACH move and focus on doing it right, from the stance to hand position.
Relating to #2 and #3, be sure to complete one movement before going to the next. For example, when doing a blocking move, make sure to cross the center line and lock it before initiating the next move. Great video 👍
People speeding through kata is common theme, I do it myself when I'm not present. Forgetting to breathe too, both area related I expect. On the subject of breaking the kata down into segments, Jesse Enkamp has a video showing a kata first being broken into three parts, each part performed three times. Then broken into two parts and each part performed twice. Finally the whole kata is performed. It's a nice way to vary kata practice.
Yes I've used that method as well, however I prefer to break the kata down even further into individual techniques or maybe smaller sequences that naturally go together, so it could be spliiting a kata into 10 or more parts and slowly building the kata up from developing those components, this would also involve partner work with the applications etc.
Thank you, Sensei! That’s exactly the type of content that helps and inspires me. In my current training arrangement, I’m a Kata girl in a Kumite world so, whenever you share drops of your precious knowledge, I feel reinvigorated to keep working towards my not-very-popular-around-here goals. 🙏🙏
Good stuff. I don’t do much kata, but I am willing to try. My approach would be first figure out the application and drill the situation in a partner drill and then in situational sparring/grappling to get the timing and kuzushi of the technique. After understanding what might make technique work and having a clear mental image on application, I’ll do the form. Working on Kusanku (wadoryu) but it will look very personal after I get done with it. Hopefully it reminds kusanku. Would not get much points in a competition.
Right on that is the biggest mistake i have made doing kata is going through it at the speed of a formula one racing car i have made so many mistakes because i am rushing through it.
You have a great mentality (an open mind!). Kata has always been 'my thing' and too many people overlook it beyond the surface level aesthetic. On your point about criticisms of competition kata, I am one of those people but I never take away from their skill and commitment. I used to compete to a high level myself, but I started to drop away when I realised I had to learn a 'competition version' of kata if I wanted to get anywhere, rather than simply working on a kata to a high standard and taking it to competition. I would say that a lot of the competitors have become better athletes than most of us ever were, but perhaps not quite so good karate-ka (in applied understanding terms). That is not to diminish their achievements, it just isn't what I wanted out of it any more.
Thank you. Many karateka have a closed mind and believe only one way is the right way.. You are right about the competition kata, it is changed to fit the judging criteria and is a judgement of speed and power more so than profiency in Karate. I did compete twice at the WKF World Championships and a number of Europeans, (last one in 2018) competing against a lot of the current competitors now. I've always had the mindset that kata should be practical but since I stopped competing and doing kata for judges, I've shifted my focus even further from that. As I said though, I wouldn't change the decade I spent competing as it brought with it valuable lessons.
@@jkgardiner I made it as far as getting into the Welsh team, spending a long time trying to get there, only to immediately be disillusioned with what they were advocating. I left 6 months later and that was realyl when I started to turn away from competition. Similarly, I wouldn't change the experience I had because for the majority of the time it was just what I would class as 'good karate'. Where I struggle now is a moral quandry with my own students. I don't want to take away the opportunity to compete, but equally I do not like the ways of competition available to us so how can I advocate it when I don't believe it. I would have to teach two branches when I have limited time as a volunteer as it is. I remember speaking to Dave Hazard about this and he said that he used to have to teach two directions: one kata to save your life, one to win you a medal. It was one of the reasons he moved away from being the England kata coach.
@bunburyodo yes this is a problem I also have, I believe they should have the opportunity but I also don't really like it anymore. As you'll know the best karate isn't what wins most of the time. I have a student currently on the England national team and have to do work for his kata outside of normal dojo classes for this reason. One thing I do notice however is those that do have an interest in competing tend to train more and be more dedicated (due to the extrinsic motivation of winning). The problem comes after they finish competing, a lot of those I competed with are no longer in Karate.
@@jkgardiner I presume you are referring to Nat? I've seen his own videos and you can see your influence in his practices. It's nice to know i'm not alone in that dilemma, because I do feel in the minority. What you mentioned at the end, the longevity post-competition, is something I think has become a problem with what competitive (sport) karate has become. For me, stopping competing when I did and continuing without it in my life wasn't difficult. No adjustment was needed, I just stopped putting my normal training into a competitive arena. Similarly to you, I have watched good people lose steam in competition and so they go elsewhere for something else they can win in without too much effort and just abandon karate altogether.
To my 54 years experience of practicing karate the most important thing is that every movement starts from tanden. Otherwise in a long terms will damage your health. Techniques should be like water, without pause between them. Rushing through the kata is the proof of insecurity. Simply you want to finish ASAP something what is not familiar to you. When performing techniques and kata consistts of techniques you should enjoy every movement.
5 is something i've been preaching for a while. i'd also look at the history of kata too; getting the context of a kata can ascend your understand to a higher level. the best way to look at the mountain you are climbing is to climb the one next to it
LMPROVE YOUR KARATE KATA ~ 5 TIPS.
For me it really helps to envision a opponent I do my techniques at like block a specific attack and attack at a specific part of the body.
That was an absolutely great summary of how to deal with a kata! Thanks for that!
Incredible guidance. All of this aligns with my thinking. The one I stress most is slow down; concentrate on EACH move and focus on doing it right, from the stance to hand position.
9-02-2024 Thanks John, really great help for my training.
Relating to #2 and #3, be sure to complete one movement before going to the next. For example, when doing a blocking move, make sure to cross the center line and lock it before initiating the next move. Great video 👍
People speeding through kata is common theme, I do it myself when I'm not present. Forgetting to breathe too, both area related I expect.
On the subject of breaking the kata down into segments, Jesse Enkamp has a video showing a kata first being broken into three parts, each part performed three times. Then broken into two parts and each part performed twice. Finally the whole kata is performed. It's a nice way to vary kata practice.
Yes I've used that method as well, however I prefer to break the kata down even further into individual techniques or maybe smaller sequences that naturally go together, so it could be spliiting a kata into 10 or more parts and slowly building the kata up from developing those components, this would also involve partner work with the applications etc.
I'm new to karate. And your videos are very helpful, i'm starting to enjoy practicing kata physically and mentally.
Thank you very much for all your content, I really enjoy it and it helps me improve.
Greetings from Mexico City! 👋🏼
Appreciate your time and Thank you for sharing this 🙏
Thank you for sharing that it is so important to understand what you’re doing and how to make it work for you
Thank you, Sensei! That’s exactly the type of content that helps and inspires me. In my current training arrangement, I’m a Kata girl in a Kumite world so, whenever you share drops of your precious knowledge, I feel reinvigorated to keep working towards my not-very-popular-around-here goals. 🙏🙏
Thank you for sharing this useful information
Thanks again for your wisdom and for your help. Pure common sense applied to learning. It really does help.
Good stuff. I don’t do much kata, but I am willing to try. My approach would be first figure out the application and drill the situation in a partner drill and then in situational sparring/grappling to get the timing and kuzushi of the technique. After understanding what might make technique work and having a clear mental image on application, I’ll do the form. Working on Kusanku (wadoryu) but it will look very personal after I get done with it. Hopefully it reminds kusanku. Would not get much points in a competition.
I’d like to see more ideas for training solo. Partner drills are okay, too. Looks like I am getting a partner to drill with 2-3 times/week.
These are all great tips. Thanks for the video! However I definitely got distracted by the Beavers poster on the back wall lol
I tried covering it with the blinds but they didn't come down far enough..! Beavers get a free advert now
@@jkgardiner 🤣🤣
Right on that is the biggest mistake i have made doing kata is going through it at the speed of a formula one racing car i have made so many mistakes because i am rushing through it.
You have a great mentality (an open mind!). Kata has always been 'my thing' and too many people overlook it beyond the surface level aesthetic. On your point about criticisms of competition kata, I am one of those people but I never take away from their skill and commitment. I used to compete to a high level myself, but I started to drop away when I realised I had to learn a 'competition version' of kata if I wanted to get anywhere, rather than simply working on a kata to a high standard and taking it to competition. I would say that a lot of the competitors have become better athletes than most of us ever were, but perhaps not quite so good karate-ka (in applied understanding terms). That is not to diminish their achievements, it just isn't what I wanted out of it any more.
Thank you. Many karateka have a closed mind and believe only one way is the right way..
You are right about the competition kata, it is changed to fit the judging criteria and is a judgement of speed and power more so than profiency in Karate. I did compete twice at the WKF World Championships and a number of Europeans, (last one in 2018) competing against a lot of the current competitors now.
I've always had the mindset that kata should be practical but since I stopped competing and doing kata for judges, I've shifted my focus even further from that.
As I said though, I wouldn't change the decade I spent competing as it brought with it valuable lessons.
@@jkgardiner I made it as far as getting into the Welsh team, spending a long time trying to get there, only to immediately be disillusioned with what they were advocating. I left 6 months later and that was realyl when I started to turn away from competition.
Similarly, I wouldn't change the experience I had because for the majority of the time it was just what I would class as 'good karate'.
Where I struggle now is a moral quandry with my own students. I don't want to take away the opportunity to compete, but equally I do not like the ways of competition available to us so how can I advocate it when I don't believe it. I would have to teach two branches when I have limited time as a volunteer as it is. I remember speaking to Dave Hazard about this and he said that he used to have to teach two directions: one kata to save your life, one to win you a medal. It was one of the reasons he moved away from being the England kata coach.
@bunburyodo yes this is a problem I also have, I believe they should have the opportunity but I also don't really like it anymore. As you'll know the best karate isn't what wins most of the time. I have a student currently on the England national team and have to do work for his kata outside of normal dojo classes for this reason.
One thing I do notice however is those that do have an interest in competing tend to train more and be more dedicated (due to the extrinsic motivation of winning). The problem comes after they finish competing, a lot of those I competed with are no longer in Karate.
@@jkgardiner I presume you are referring to Nat? I've seen his own videos and you can see your influence in his practices.
It's nice to know i'm not alone in that dilemma, because I do feel in the minority. What you mentioned at the end, the longevity post-competition, is something I think has become a problem with what competitive (sport) karate has become. For me, stopping competing when I did and continuing without it in my life wasn't difficult. No adjustment was needed, I just stopped putting my normal training into a competitive arena. Similarly to you, I have watched good people lose steam in competition and so they go elsewhere for something else they can win in without too much effort and just abandon karate altogether.
To my 54 years experience of practicing karate the most important thing is that every movement starts from tanden. Otherwise in a long terms will damage your health. Techniques should be like water, without pause between them. Rushing through the kata is the proof of insecurity. Simply you want to finish ASAP something what is not familiar to you. When performing techniques and kata consistts of techniques you should enjoy every movement.
I’ve noticed variations of Kata say between Shotokan and what I study in Shukokai
Yes they have the same origins but have been changed over time. Sometimes understanding those changes can help to understand application better.
Can you tell me some sparring tips because I'm going to have my first sparring match in a week
Check out some of my kumite videos here on this channel