Kata's

[Zaine]

It all depends on the tournament you go to. In some they will be looking for the strength and effectivness on the katas. And in others they will be looking for the flashyness of it.

[ladyj]

Are you running a traditional form or an open one? If it is traditional and there is a traditional division run it just like you would in the classroom, but if it is an open tournament with open divisions you will need to live the form. For example show power and speed but make sure they are in the correct places( you don't want to show more speed if it is a reverse punch for instance, you will want to show power), facial expressions (get ugly and scowl), look where the attack is coming from and strike as if you were really striking someone. A trick my instructor taught me as I was coming up through the ranks was when you go to tournament to run forms, don't be intimediated by the judges, you just paid an entry fee for them to watch you perform. After your division is complete go to each of your judges and ask them what they thought you could improve on.