The Three Levels Of Kata Technqiues

[sensei8]

Shindokan teaches their student body three levels of kata techniques.

Shindokan always stresses moving with our hara/tanden; to "hit" with hara and koshi for maximum effectiveness. Training drills, like makiwara is critical to overall development of ones techniques.

Kata Bunkai, applications, within Shindokan teaches three levels of kata application.

Level one is for beginners and the very young Shindokanist, which is punch, strike, kick, block, and chambering for the transitional moves.

Level two is for the intermediate and older students and emphasized body mechanics for more powerful punching, striking, kicking, and blocking. What originally apeared to be chambering, now becomes throws and/or locking techniques.

Level three is more vicious and deadly. The punch, strike, kick and block are now executed to destroy the opponent with a single technique. The throws and locks are fatal if applied correctly.

As our discussion continues, I'll share in more depth, as needed for our discussion.

[Wastelander]

In my organization, kata application is taught differently from instructor to instructor. We do not have standards in place for it, so everyone is free to structure and teach it as they see fit. In my dojo, we do not teach application in strict levels, but we do typically limit younger and/or less experienced students to very simple applications, and work up from there on an individual basis. My instructor's sensei does structure his kata application in levels, though. I prefer the more fluid, individualized approach.

[ps1]

We had 4 levels.

1. Basic training of Salient points.

2. Salient points, with a finish

3. Counter to the salient points

4. Perform the salient points in a way that will nullify the counter and finish the opponent (kill).

As an example of this I'll use the first full technique of Teikoyoku shodan:

Low defend.

We teach this as a hammer strike to the groin. (level 1)

Then a hammer strike to the groing followed by a punch to the throat (Level 2)

Then a counter to the level 2 technique: low defend against the hammer fist and rising block to the throat to counter the punch. (Level 3)

Level 4 brings in all the movements of the low defend. So now, the prepatory movement of the arms enters the application. Grip the opponent's arm and use the hikite to put the opponent off balance during the groin strike (attempting to destroy the pubic symphasis), the hikite of the strike further pulls the opponent off balance as you strike the throat/neck (crush the trachea or fracture the spine).

Hope that makes sense. But that's how we always learned bunkai. The techniques could change, but the format was always the same.

1. Technique as it looks.

2. Technique with follow up

3. Counter the technique

4. Counter the counter.

[sensei8]

We had 4 levels.

1. Basic training of Salient points.

2. Salient points, with a finish

3. Counter to the salient points

4. Perform the salient points in a way that will nullify the counter and finish the opponent (kill).

As an example of this I'll use the first full technique of Teikoyoku shodan:

Low defend.

We teach this as a hammer strike to the groin. (level 1)

Then a hammer strike to the groing followed by a punch to the throat (Level 2)

Then a counter to the level 2 technique: low defend against the hammer fist and rising block to the throat to counter the punch. (Level 3)

Level 4 brings in all the movements of the low defend. So now, the prepatory movement of the arms enters the application. Grip the opponent's arm and use the hikite to put the opponent off balance during the groin strike (attempting to destroy the pubic symphasis), the hikite of the strike further pulls the opponent off balance as you strike the throat/neck (crush the trachea or fracture the spine).

Hope that makes sense. But that's how we always learned bunkai. The techniques could change, but the format was always the same.

1. Technique as it looks.

2. Technique with follow up

3. Counter the technique

4. Counter the counter.

Solid post!! I do like the 4 levels of your methodology/ideology because it examines AND explores at the same time. It's like a double exclamation point instead of one exclamation point.

[CredoTe]

While we do not have a formal "Level 1, Level 2, Level 3" structure, the Matsubayashi-Ryu Kata training / development in our dojo has a structured approach. The development phases are dependent upon age (maturity level) and individual progression of our students.

Progression isn't just based on how well a student can perform a Kata, but how well s/he can connect the movements / bunkai of a Kata to real world situations and other areas of training (Kihon, Kumite, bag / target work), as well as development of Te (Ti) concepts like Shimei, Tanden, Tenshin, Gamaku (more than just Koshi), Iri kumi (in-fighting, not "continuous sparring").

Novices - 10th Kyu to 7th / 6th Kyu, basically from beginner to 1 year or more of experience:

Novices may learn up to the first four Kata in the Matsubayashi-Ryu system, Fyukugata Ichi & Ni, Pinan Shodan & Nidan ("Heian" for those of you from Shotokan / Japanese styles). During this phase, the Kata are basic, the waza teach the students to move their bodies in natural ways, but forming technique. The bunkai & bunkai-oyo are very basic: a punch is a punch, chamber is a chamber, block is a block, etc. Basic concepts of Shimei and ma-ai are introduced. If a student shows particularly good progression toward the end of this phase, we may show them intermediate or advanced bunkai-oyo.

Intermediate - 7th / 6th Kyu to 4th / 3rd Kyu, basically 1 year or more to 2 - 3 years experience:

Intermediates may learn the remaining Pinan Kata, and then Naihanchi Sho (perhaps "Tekki" in Shotokan / Japanese styles? ) if their development / aptitude is good enough. During this phase, students learn more in-depth concepts, bunkai, bunkai-oyo, etc for the Kata they already learned during the Novice phase (FI & II, Pinan I & II). Also during this phase, the concepts, bunkai, bunkai-oyo for all the Pinan Kata are meant to develop dynamic / intermediate / transitional movement (while keeping Shimei and Tanden), combination waza, introduce them to more applicable fighting sense bunkai / bunkai-oyo, and developing ma-ai to transition into Iri kumi. Yakusoku Kumite Kata (partner Kata) are excellent for developing ma-ai.

Advanced - 4th / 3rd Kyu to 1st Kyu, 3 - 5 years experience:

Advanced students learn the remaining Naihanchi Kata (Ni and San). During this phase, bunkai & bunkai-oyo are meant to establish root to the earth for development of Gamaku, as well as more advanced bunkai / bunkai-oyo for real-world fighting sense (combos, combos, combos... always block / strike multiple times simultaneously). Ma-ai is continuously developed through kumite and Yakusoku Kumite Kata, as well as Tanden, Tenshin, etc. By this phase, the connection of dynamic / intermediate / transitional movement to ma-ai is more understood, thus leading to a connection of Iri kumi (and subsequently Tegumi / Torikumu (grappling, takedowns, etc)).

Once Naihanchi San is developed well enough, we may show them Ananku, which is the Kata requirement for Shodan in our dojo.

Additionally, for our adult students, we begin training them in traps, grabs, locks, bars, takedowns, control, manipulation, grappling, etc from their first day as a Novice because they're able to understand quicker and most likely going to need it if they get into a real situation on the street. Whereas our youth and kid students do not learn these concepts until their skill and maturity level prove they can handle it.

Level two is for the intermediate and older students and emphasized body mechanics for more powerful punching, striking, kicking, and blocking. What originally apeared to be chambering, now becomes throws and/or locking techniques.

For us, chambering also becomes hiji ate (elbow smash)...

[sensei8]

While we do not have a formal "Level 1, Level 2, Level 3" structure, the Matsubayashi-Ryu Kata training / development in our dojo has a structured approach. The development phases are dependent upon age (maturity level) and individual progression of our students.

Progression isn't just based on how well a student can perform a Kata, but how well s/he can connect the movements / bunkai of a Kata to real world situations and other areas of training (Kihon, Kumite, bag / target work), as well as development of Te (Ti) concepts like Shimei, Tanden, Tenshin, Gamaku (more than just Koshi), Iri kumi (in-fighting, not "continuous sparring").

Novices - 10th Kyu to 7th / 6th Kyu, basically from beginner to 1 year or more of experience:

Novices may learn up to the first four Kata in the Matsubayashi-Ryu system, Fyukugata Ichi & Ni, Pinan Shodan & Nidan ("Heian" for those of you from Shotokan / Japanese styles). During this phase, the Kata are basic, the waza teach the students to move their bodies in natural ways, but forming technique. The bunkai & bunkai-oyo are very basic: a punch is a punch, chamber is a chamber, block is a block, etc. Basic concepts of Shimei and ma-ai are introduced. If a student shows particularly good progression toward the end of this phase, we may show them intermediate or advanced bunkai-oyo.

Intermediate - 7th / 6th Kyu to 4th / 3rd Kyu, basically 1 year or more to 2 - 3 years experience:

Intermediates may learn the remaining Pinan Kata, and then Naihanchi Sho (perhaps "Tekki" in Shotokan / Japanese styles? ) if their development / aptitude is good enough. During this phase, students learn more in-depth concepts, bunkai, bunkai-oyo, etc for the Kata they already learned during the Novice phase (FI & II, Pinan I & II). Also during this phase, the concepts, bunkai, bunkai-oyo for all the Pinan Kata are meant to develop dynamic / intermediate / transitional movement (while keeping Shimei and Tanden), combination waza, introduce them to more applicable fighting sense bunkai / bunkai-oyo, and developing ma-ai to transition into Iri kumi. Yakusoku Kumite Kata (partner Kata) are excellent for developing ma-ai.

Advanced - 4th / 3rd Kyu to 1st Kyu, 3 - 5 years experience:

Advanced students learn the remaining Naihanchi Kata (Ni and San). During this phase, bunkai & bunkai-oyo are meant to establish root to the earth for development of Gamaku, as well as more advanced bunkai / bunkai-oyo for real-world fighting sense (combos, combos, combos... always block / strike multiple times simultaneously). Ma-ai is continuously developed through kumite and Yakusoku Kumite Kata, as well as Tanden, Tenshin, etc. By this phase, the connection of dynamic / intermediate / transitional movement to ma-ai is more understood, thus leading to a connection of Iri kumi (and subsequently Tegumi / Torikumu (grappling, takedowns, etc)).

Once Naihanchi San is developed well enough, we may show them Ananku, which is the Kata requirement for Shodan in our dojo.

Additionally, for our adult students, we begin training them in traps, grabs, locks, bars, takedowns, control, manipulation, grappling, etc from their first day as a Novice because they're able to understand quicker and most likely going to need it if they get into a real situation on the street. Whereas our youth and kid students do not learn these concepts until their skill and maturity level prove they can handle it.

Level two is for the intermediate and older students and emphasized body mechanics for more powerful punching, striking, kicking, and blocking. What originally apeared to be chambering, now becomes throws and/or locking techniques.

For us, chambering also becomes hiji ate (elbow smash)...

Yes...yes...yes...again...and again...Very solid post!!

[CredoTe]

While we do not have a formal "Level 1, Level 2, Level 3" structure, the Matsubayashi-Ryu Kata training / development in our dojo has a structured approach. The development phases are dependent upon age (maturity level) and individual progression of our students.

Progression isn't just based on how well a student can perform a Kata, but how well s/he can connect the movements / bunkai of a Kata to real world situations and other areas of training (Kihon, Kumite, bag / target work), as well as development of Te (Ti) concepts like Shimei, Tanden, Tenshin, Gamaku (more than just Koshi), Iri kumi (in-fighting, not "continuous sparring").

Novices - 10th Kyu to 7th / 6th Kyu, basically from beginner to 1 year or more of experience:

(Remaining quote from CredoTe redacted by CredoTe to save forum page / scroll space...)

Yes...yes...yes...again...and again...Very solid post!!

Domo arigato gozaimasu sensei8-san

Great topic thread, and props to your 5000+ posts! (I'm still a newbie around here...) So far, the few dozen of yours that I've read have been quite good / solid, as well.

And props to your many years of experience... From what I've garnered by all the posts I've read, you have about twice as many years in your Karate / MA journey as I have... (no allusion to age, of course )

[sensei8]

While we do not have a formal "Level 1, Level 2, Level 3" structure, the Matsubayashi-Ryu Kata training / development in our dojo has a structured approach. The development phases are dependent upon age (maturity level) and individual progression of our students.

Progression isn't just based on how well a student can perform a Kata, but how well s/he can connect the movements / bunkai of a Kata to real world situations and other areas of training (Kihon, Kumite, bag / target work), as well as development of Te (Ti) concepts like Shimei, Tanden, Tenshin, Gamaku (more than just Koshi), Iri kumi (in-fighting, not "continuous sparring").

Novices - 10th Kyu to 7th / 6th Kyu, basically from beginner to 1 year or more of experience:

(Remaining quote from CredoTe redacted by CredoTe to save forum page / scroll space...)

Yes...yes...yes...again...and again...Very solid post!!

Domo arigato gozaimasu sensei8-san

Great topic thread, and props to your 5000+ posts! (I'm still a newbie around here...) So far, the few dozen of yours that I've read have been quite good / solid, as well.

And props to your many years of experience... From what I've garnered by all the posts I've read, you have about twice as many years in your Karate / MA journey as I have... (no allusion to age, of course )

Thank you for your very kind words; they haven't fallen upon a deaf ear.

[Harkon72]

Our Sensei teaches Bunkai at many different levels; he is very good at reading what depth of technique each student can handle, by maturity and psychological responsibility.

[sensei8]

Our Sensei teaches Bunkai at many different levels; he is very good at reading what depth of technique each student can handle, by maturity and psychological responsibility.

Than your Sensei is a good Sensei. Your Sensei is concerned about the betterment of his students in not just for the moment, but for the long haul.

Bunkai/Oyo aren't just some cool sounding words, no. They have to be understood in their complete totality beyond the surface, and in that, they change as one grows, and even more so, they minimize ones efforts of application!!