It’s an old debate in the martial arts world—should you practice kata or not? Here’s a short video with my opinion on the matter. Written summary below.
Happy training!
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Should You Practice Kata?
Do you practice kata or forms?
Why? Or why not? What is kata anyway?
Well, first let me tell you what kata is NOT. Kata is not self-defense. Kata is not fighting. Kata is not sparring. But hey—everyone should know that by now…especially the people who practice kata. So, what is kata?
Kata is an exercise. That’s it.
It’s like jumping rope. You don’t go into a boxing gym, see someone jumping rope and say, “Hey, Champ—you’re wasting your time. Nobody jumps rope in the ring.”
You also don’t walk into a weight room, see someone swinging a 100 pound kettlebell and say, “Hey, Big Guy—you’re wasting your time. I’ve never seen anyone get hit with a kettlebell in the street.”
Well, it’s the same with forms.
Kata—like jumping rope or lifting weights—is simply a method of conditioning for something else.
It’s just a piece of a larger practice puzzle… or at least it should be. Personally, I think your practice puzzle should include getting choked and punched in the face once in a while, too! But that’s me.
Anyway, there are two basic approaches to training with kata or forms…
Approach #1: Kata tells you WHAT to do.
You view the form as a collection of techniques. It’s a block. It’s a strike. It’s a break. It’s a takedown. It’s whatever you say it is. Your bunkai, your business.
The big idea is that you are rehearsing a specific technique with every movement.
Approach #2: Kata tells you HOW to do.
You view the form as a collection of habits. It could be a block. It could be a strike. It doesn’t matter because your goal is to develop balance, breathing, control, coordination, focus, power, structure, and spirit.
The big idea is that you are rehearsing physical and emotional ideals that can be applied to any technique.
Of course, there’s a third approach where you combine both mindsets—rehearsing what to do AND how to do it at the same time.
Some styles may start focused on how to move, then fill in applications later. Some styles may start focused on techniques, then join those movements into a form so you’ll have a notebook to remember them. Some styles might combine form and function together right from the start. It’s all good.
Oh—to be fair, I suppose you could also just practice kata for the fun of it. Or to get a workout. Or to win gold medals and earn million dollar endorsement deals. You know, like… uh, never mind.
So, do you have to practice kata to be the best martial artist you can be? No. I know some scary people who don’t believe in practicing kata at all. But I also know some scary people who DO believe in practicing kata. What does that prove?
It proves that kata can be whatever you want kata to be. It’s up to you to figure out how to fit forms into your plan to reach your goals, just like figuring out whether you want to jump rope, jog, lift weights, stretch, meditate, or watch videos.
Bottom line—if you’re getting value out of your kata practice, cool—keep doing it. If you want more value out of your kata practice, consider spending time on both WHAT you’re doing and HOW you’re doing it. And hey—if you think kata practice is a complete waste of time, that’s cool, too. Do your thing.
The only thing that’s NOT cool is making fun of people who practice kata without knowing why they’re doing it and what they’re getting out of it. That would be just like making fun of people for hitting a speed bag, tossing a medicine ball, or smashing a tire with a hammer.
Build your own puzzle, my friend, and keep fighting for a happy life.
But wait! There’s more. Here’s my lively debate about kata practice with Sensei John Hackleman.
Not enough? Then try this informative discussion with Sifu Randy Brown. Then go practice! 🙂
