weapons in kata competitions

[angiewinter]

competotions are not all about winning the medals, thaiboxerken, its about taking part, knowing that you are showing your best and having fun! you have a point, it is a great feeling when you win, but you have to remember, have fun and DONT push yourself too hard

 

Angela

[thaiboxerken]

Just like I said.. it's about having fun, in other words entertainment. I myself think it's funny to watch forms competitions, but that's just my opinion. Why do they have to yell so loud? I guess volume of "KIAHH" is one of the judgement criteria.

 

 

[Karateka_latino]

Double broadsword routine.

 

Double nunchuk's

 

I think i like double things. lol

[SaiFightsMS]

In the unlikely event I were to do a tournament my kobudo choice would be sai.

 

1st because I really like the. I think it would be much more difficult to practice and work at being my best with something I really did not like as much as other things.

 

Also, my new light weight aluminum sai enable me to flip them in and out so much more quickly than the heavier steel ones.

 

I think competition is not about self defense nearly so much as it is about flash and impressing the judges. For me that says sai.

 

 

[Pacificshore]

I've seen excellent Kama katas in tournaments. I've also seen a balisong kata in action. Both had great moves that could possibly rival the Whip Chain......but then again it all comes down to the competitior and their training.

[Blade13]

My favorites would definately be the chinese broadsword or the whip chain.

 

 

[Withers M.A.A.]

Well as a coach and competitor on the Naska National circuit I've seen and done my share of weapons forms. If you're at an open even then most times a fancy form will win over a tradition. (not always but VERY often) So keep that in mind. If you're a great kicker and have fast hands and can put together combos that combine kicking with hand motions then kamas are a great idea for you.

 

(remember this is open competition not reality against a sword etc. where your foot would be cut off if a kick was thrown)

 

If you practice a traditional style and are proficient with the Bo then modify that form and ad some extra figure 8 motions preferably with a spin etc.

 

My experience shows that these are the 2 primary weapons of choice among the best competitors in the U.S.

 

Good Luck,

 

Pete

 

 

[Phantasmatic]

IMHO I believe that the Nunchaku or the broadsword are the best weapons to use in a kata competition becase they are flashy and awe inspiring!!!

 

 

[Withers M.A.A.]

The Nunchaku is a very flashy weapon. The only problem is that a lot of judges don't know exactly what is going on when you're performing a nunchaku form. Many times your strikes may look like figure 8's and because of this you may not score as high. A double Nunchaku form will have more of an advantage over single but obviously is a lot more difficult. I would say if you're planning on the nunchaku then pick up a pair and go to town. Learn to multiple spinning combos using various strikes having both nunchaku moving at the same time. Also learn to do double figure 8's and learn to keep the nunchaku spinning while you kick.

 

Pete

 

 

[searcher]

Since I am not really sure what your build is or where your strengths are, I will give this a shot and maybe I can help. If you are doing traditional forms I think you will do best with the weapon you feel most comfortable with. As for open format in weapons, I suggest that if you are a kicker(machine gun kicker) you would want to use kama or nunchaku, depending on how much gymnastic-type movements you want in your kata. If you have fast hands I suggest using a bo staff. If you are competing in a wushu dominated event, I suggest either straight or broad sword. I hope that we all remember that in open forms FLASHY gets the high scores.