1 - Each Kata is a stand-alone self-protection system.
It is often said that specific katas are for a specific purpose eg defence against a staff etc.However, katas were created to record the full range of fighting techniques and principles. When analysing your katas, be sure not to pigeonhole them and limit what you are looking for.
2 – All applications of the katas are designed to end the confrontation instantly.
There is a tendency for katas to be interpreted in an overly defensive way. Many interpretations would have every other movement applied as a block. Each and every movement of a kata should endeavour to end the fight there and then. This may meanthat the opponent is totally incapacitated (e.g. unconscious) or left in a very vulnerable position (eg on the floor whilst you are standing).
3 – All parts of a movement are significant.
It is vital that you examine the movements of the katas in their entirety if you are toeffectively understand their purpose. Hands are not placed on the hips or wound up before ‘blocking’ as a preparation for the following technique.
4 – Every kata move is designed for use in combat.
We often see movements of katas being explained as exercises to increase strength or improve balance. Certainly, kata is a good way to improve your physical condition, and certain moves do increase strength etc, but that is not their primary purpose. The primary purpose of every movement in a kata is to disable an opponent in combat.
5 – The angles at which the techniques are performed are important.
You are never changing angles simply to face a new opponent. In the vast majority of situations the opponent will be in front of you. The main exception being surpriseattacks, and by definition you won’t know they are coming until it is too late! The kata is telling you to position yourself at that angle in relation to the opponent. Being at the angle demonstrated by the kata will increase the effectiveness of the technique in question.
6 – The stances are a vital component of the techniques.
A key part of effective fighting is ensuring that you use your bodyweight when applying techniques. The stances illustrate the weight distribution and leg position to be utilised during that technique. Stances are never assumed because they look nice, or to strengthen legs, or to improve balance. Stances are taken because they put bodyweight into the technique or they help to unbalance the opponent.
7 – Real fights are sloppy affairs and the way the application is performed will reflect this.
The movement in the kata represents the ideal. However, real fights are very chaotic and hence you should not expect the movement to remain exactly the same as it appears in the kata. When applying the kata’s techniques your main concern should be the movement’s effectiveness. Visual appearance is irrelevant. The effect of the technique is all that matters.
8 – There is a need for skills at every range.
To be a competent martial artist you need skills at all ranges of combat. Katas are not just striking and blocking drills, they are records of the full range of combative methods. Within the katas, we not only find strikes, but also throws, takedowns, locks, chokes, strangles, holds etc. However, if you’ve only had exposure to striking methods, then that is all you will see in your katas.
9 – The likelihood of any attack must be considered.
In a self-protection situation, your assailant is very unlikely to behave like a martial artist in the dojo or the sporting environment. The ‘enemy’ in a self-defence situation will utilise vicious and simple methods, and it is these methods that we need to focus on in our self-defence training.
10 – Strikes should be aimed at anatomical weak points.
All the strikes in the katas should be aimed at suitable weak areas of the opponent’s anatomy. When analysing your katas you should have a clear idea of which area is under attack. Remember that the katas show the ideal movement. Real fights are intense and frantic affairs and the accurate placement of blows becomes extremely difficult once an altercation is underway.
11 – No kata techniques rely upon unpredictable actions from the opponent
A good interpretation or technique should require nothing from the opponent.True applications are not something you do with your partner, but something to do to an opponent.
12 – There are many effective applications for every movement.
You will often find that a movement in a kata will have more than one effective application. Every one of us is different. Everyone must use the katas in a way that works for them. We should all interpret and apply the katas in a way that complements our own strengths and weaknesses.
13 – All applications must be workable in real situations.
When looking at applications, ask yourself the following questions:
Could this technique be applied when under extreme stress?
Will it work against an uncooperative and possibly physically stronger attacker?
Is the application truly practical or am I settling for the first application I came across that seemed to fit the kata?
Is the technique for use against violent untrained attacks or predetermined karate techniques?
14 – Endeavour to understand the principles upon which the techniques are based.
A kata is essentially a record of a fighting system. When constructing the katas, it would make little sense to include every single technique in that system because the kata would become impracticably long. Try to understand that principles are much more important than techniques.
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