pace/speed in forms

[Spartacus Maximus]

To anyone using solo forms(kata, hyung/poomse, taolu) or techniques sequences:

In practise what is the usual speed? What rhythm is used ie: is each move done one at a time step-by-step OR some moves/parts flow into one another?

For this discussion the focus is on individual personal training as the conditions for skills evaluation or demonstrations are separate points.

[sensei8]

Whenever learning a new kata/etc., I always went one step/movement at a time until muscle memory kicked in.

I’d do sections over and over and over before moving to the next sections, making sure to do the previous sections, and then flow into the next section(s).

To decide each section I’d section out said embusen. For example, in Pinan Shodan, Shizentai stance, then turn to the left into a Neko-Ashi/Soto-Uke, Tetsui-Uchi, Shizentai stance/Tetsui-Uchi…that’s section 1…so on and so forth per each section(s).

Afterwards, I’d do said Kata as it was taught to me with emphasis on breath, posture, focus, timing, speed, so on and so forth.

 

[KarateKen]

"Kate is good for breaking a sweat, it won't help you win the tournament." - Terry Silver 

[Montana]

We do our kata one sequence at a time to the call/count of the sensei. In a class of students, it's less chaotic and allows the sensei to watch each students movement. Someone making a mistake stands out pretty obviously that way as opposed to one student being on the 8th move, another on the 7th, another on the 12th and another finishing.