Kata

[Kanku65]

We currently have 26 kata in our ISKF curriculum.

I intend to focus on those for the time being.

Perhaps in the future I will go through some kata from other styles, but for the time being, I don't view it as necessary, so long as I'm able to maintain good creativity in my applications.

Not to mention, all Kata in our curriculum were taken/remodelled after pre existing kata.

[The Pred]

Solid posts everyone. Plus I'm sure everyone here had a kata that they had trouble learning more so than others.

[Luther unleashed]

As a student of different styles I found most schools had their set style curriculum but as was eluded to, not all schools did the same within that style. I have never really seen a school that did Bassai Soh, and Bassai Dae in Tang Soo Do. I teach both, I also incorporate one form from hung gar Kung fu, and a few Tae Kwon Do poomse. I also have a school specific form. I think it's important to keep a strong base but also open the doors to other ways of doing things. This is why the material I teach is integrated, while maintaining a strong base in Tang Soo Do as to have a (in my opinion) much needed structure.

Many schools don't follow the same concepts as mine but I enjoy the topic, it's always interesting to see how others thrive and grow in martial arts. Clearly, focusing on one general way can help you achieve a better and more rich understanding and growth in a shorter time, potentially!

I also agree with jr137 about most schools doing too many forms. I also like forms now, but they are overused I feel. For 1st Dan I use one form per rank but in second degree we focus on one-steps and kicks and perform only 3 in total. I think there should be a break up sometimes in the main curriculum. The forms are great to build a foundation I beginning students, it's a great way to help them refine technique. But at some point I feel you should slow down and break them down more, rather then keep learning patterns. Just my opinion of course.

[jaypo]

This topic is the one small complaint I have about my school. We learn the Shotokan katas and Shorin Ryu katas, but my CI has developed 10 school specific katas based on our blocking and striking sequence pattern. I feel that they're very good to start the young kids on because they're very basic. But the issue I have is that we spend a LOT of time on those katas due to the large amount of lower and intermediate ranked students. We don't spend enough time on breaking down the traditional and advanced katas. Sometimes, I just feel that we spend too much time learning MORE katas and not enough time PERFECTING katas. As the saying goes, don't fear the man that does 1,000 KATAS. Fear the man that does 1 KATA 1,000 times, right? That's just my opinion.

[JR 137]

This topic is the one small complaint I have about my school. We learn the Shotokan katas and Shorin Ryu katas, but my CI has developed 10 school specific katas based on our blocking and striking sequence pattern. I feel that they're very good to start the young kids on because they're very basic. But the issue I have is that we spend a LOT of time on those katas due to the large amount of lower and intermediate ranked students. We don't spend enough time on breaking down the traditional and advanced katas. Sometimes, I just feel that we spend too much time learning MORE katas and not enough time PERFECTING katas. As the saying goes, don't fear the man that does 1,000 KATAS. Fear the man that does 1 KATA 1,000 times, right? That's just my opinion.

I haven't heard that saying, but it definitely carries weight. But... Don't fear the man who's done 1 kata 1,000 times; fear the man who knows what the kata truly means and has done it 1,000 times.

Practicing a kata as a parrern of glorified dance steps a million times won't really get you anywhere. Practicing it, or more appropriately studying it and dissecting it at an intellectual and physical level is what should be done.

I definitely see how spending more time at kata that aren't very "deep" at the expense of others is frustrating. I get that same feeling every now and again.

[Luther unleashed]

The saying was originally from Bruce lee, he said " I don't fear the man who knows 1000 kicks, but I fear the man who practices 1 kick 1000 times"! Jaypo adapted it nicely hah!

I do agree, I feel that is why we lose some at higher rank. I think there's nothing wrong with starting from basics though and working up to higher on nights when forms are performed. Only doing lower/intermediate forms would be not as much beneficial to higher ranking students though.

I have that problem sometimes, when I look out and see 1 black belt and realize I didn't focus on his forms as much as I needed. Does your instructor have help? Does he have many higher ranking students?

[The Pred]

The saying was originally from Bruce lee, he said " I don't fear the man who knows 1000 kicks, but I fear the man who practices 1 kick 1000 times"! Jaypo adapted it nicely hah!

I do agree, I feel that is why we lose some at higher rank. I think there's nothing wrong with starting from basics though and working up to higher on nights when forms are performed. Only doing lower/intermediate forms would be not as much beneficial to higher ranking students though.

I have that problem sometimes, when I look out and see 1 black belt and realize I didn't focus on his forms as much as I needed. Does your instructor have help? Does he have many higher ranking students?

I believe after learning the basic katas in one particular system. A student should be introduced to the higher level katas. However, one particular student should really focus on one or two and make that the best of his or her ability. Not saying they shouldn't be good at all their katas that they learned. However, everyone should have his or her speciality.

[Luther unleashed]

The saying was originally from Bruce lee, he said " I don't fear the man who knows 1000 kicks, but I fear the man who practices 1 kick 1000 times"! Jaypo adapted it nicely hah!

I do agree, I feel that is why we lose some at higher rank. I think there's nothing wrong with starting from basics though and working up to higher on nights when forms are performed. Only doing lower/intermediate forms would be not as much beneficial to higher ranking students though.

I have that problem sometimes, when I look out and see 1 black belt and realize I didn't focus on his forms as much as I needed. Does your instructor have help? Does he have many higher ranking students?

I believe after learning the basic katas in one particular system. A student should be introduced to the higher level katas. However, one particular student should really focus on one or two and make that the best of his or her ability. Not saying they shouldn't be good at all their katas that they learned. However, everyone should have his or her speciality.

Sure, I think that is a general rule for martial arts in general. I think that everybody has their strong points and weak points and as much as they should work on the weak points to make them not so weak, they should also continue on with their strong points to become even stronger. Whether it be kicks punches, concepts, or forms. I hear what your saying!

[sensei8]

Solid posts everyone. Plus I'm sure everyone here had a kata that they had trouble learning more so than others.

Yeah...each and every single one was difficult for me, one not more difficult than another. For some reason or another, I struggled to the nth degree!! I just can't put my finger on one specific Kata...I'm trying to, but I can't single out one.

[The Pred]

Solid posts everyone. Plus I'm sure everyone here had a kata that they had trouble learning more so than others.

Yeah...each and every single one was difficult for me, one not more difficult than another. For some reason or another, I struggled to the nth degree!! I just can't put my finger on one specific Kata...I'm trying to, but I can't single out one.

Yes I struggled when I was younger, now that I'm older I feel like I'm able to remember stuff better.