I am new here. I have been training in Karate for over 20 years and hold 4th Dan. In recent years I have come to the conclusion that practising Kata is ineffective. I know this will upset traditionalists but I had to ask myself some questions: When was the last time you saw a huge amount of Kata movements used in kumite and contest? Conclusion? Hardly ever if at all. The opening sequence of Heian Nidan is never performed in kumite. The opening sequences of Kanku Dai is never performed in kumite. The one legged sequence in Gankau is never performed in kumite... If one does a thorough analysis of all the Kata one will soon see the vast majority of techniques are never used or are not able to be used. Kata may be ok for physical exercise but as far as training for kumite its ineffective. Why practise techniques you will never use or cannot be used? Scientific evidence shows conclusively the more reponses you know to a given stimulus (an attack) the slower your reaction time. (see A Study of Reaction and Response Time In Subject Control Training By Joe Ferrera): A quote: The object of this study was to examine aspects of human performance and how it relates to reaction and response time. We have discussed what reaction time and response time are pointing out the differences of each. We know reaction time is the time it takes between perception of a threat and initiation of an action to counter the perceived threat. Response time adds to this the time it takes to complete the initiated action. This study demonstrates that with only two choices, i.e. forearm block or wrist block, the time it takes for humans to perceive, evaluate, formulate a plan, and initiate action increases by as much as 23% over a single choice. The more choices in response techniques the mind has to evaluate for a given threat the longer it takes to initiate action. This study supports the theory of teaching fewer response techniques to cover a wider range of threat cues. By providing the officer the least amount of choices in responding to a threat you increase the officer’s ability to respond faster. As instructors we should be teaching effective techniques that apply to many situations thereby reducing the number of choices an officer has to evaluate. Teaching fewer techniques and using the limited training time for more repetitions gives an added advantage of increasing the officer’s confidence in his, or her, ability to perform the techniques under stress. - Joe Ferrera Therefore Bruce Lee is right. Too many techniques are detrimental not beneficial. Scientifically Kata practise does not hold under scrutiny. Boxers, Muay Thai fighters, UFC fighters etc do not practise Kata as a general rule and are yet highly capable fighters. Again Bruce Lee was right Kata/forms are ineffective
