Who here thinks that kata are pointless?

Answer 1

I can't blame people for thinking kata are pointless, because they are when they are not taught correctly. And -- with all due respect -- they are not taught correctly at 99.99 per cent of karate schools out there.

Actually, let me rephrase that: they are not taught in a way that reveal their full potential in 99.99 per cent of karate schools out there. It's not that what is out there is wrong. It's just not enough.

Unlocking the potential of kata is very, very complex -- too much to get into here -- and requires a teacher with a very profound understanding of martial arts. If you are fortunate enough to come across such a teacher, however, martial arts will take on a whole new meaning for you (doesn't matter whether you study karate, tkd, kung fu, tai chi, mma, whatever).

You don't have to believe me. I do suggest, however, that you keep an open mind.

Answer 2

Katas are not pointless. They are part of the triangle that makes you an expert at any of the martial arts: kata, kihon, and kumite. The each serve a purpose. They each contribute to you being a complete martial artists. Katas teach movement and proper execution. The theories of self defense are all the same. However, it is through the prescribed set of movements that discipline your mind and body to the art.

If your goal is to be just a fighter, go fight. Seriously. Go out there and publicly announce you will fight anyone. Once you find out that you're undisciplined, then you will understand why things like katas exist in the martial arts. If your goal is self defense, carry a weapon. But if you're goal is to become a better person, then do the ENTIRE martial art.

Here's an experiment. The next time you're in your dojo. Perform the most basic kata. Then perform it with your eyes closed. Then perform it in the mirrored directions i.e. if you start right, start left. Then try this, add some stress factor like doing push ups for 30 seconds straight then doing the kata. Or have a black belt kick you or punch you in the gut while you do your kata. If you waiver, you're going to start to see the kata's purpose. If you even slightly move out of line or sequence, you will see the purpose of kata. You need to move from one position to the next without mistake, flawlessly. The outside stresses are just that. If you don't focus within and perform YOUR kata as disciplined as intended, then you missed the mental aspect of kata. You miss the mental aspect of kihon and kumite also.

Answer 3

I do not.
Kata teaches you how to move. I never found it to cause any rigidity or other bad habits. When done correctly kata should flow like water, it should not be choppy.
Many forms of karate have choppy kata. this happened when the art went to Japan. the Japanese took the art and made in generic so that it could be taught across the country in schools.

The style of karate I study is from Okinawa, not Japan.
The kata is soft and almost dance like. It teaches you to use your hips for everything.

Kate is only effective with the other two elements of the karate system which seem to be skipped by many schools.
The other two components are kihon (basics) and kumite (free form sparring). Kata, kihon and kumite work together. Remove one and the balance gets thrown off.

Answer 4

I don't think they're pointless, they allow you to be more fliud when you practice, by settling into your stance without having to think about what you're doing before you do it.

By practicing Katas or Forms, you learn proper hand and stance placement. and with enough practice, you become fluid enough in your movements that they become second nature

as Bruce Lee once said "unnatural naturalness or natural unnaturalness", which if you look at the true meaning of it; is combining your natural ability to defend yourself and the choreographed moves (much like a robot) in learning one of the Martial Arts disciplines of how to defend yourself and continually training so that when you want it or need it it's there without ever having to think about it.

Katas and forms in the Martial Arts only reinforces what you learn in your basic movements. If you learned improperly, then you'll get improper results

just as you learn how to spell or solve a math problem, or a matching identity flash card with a picture, you see it solve it repeat, solve it etc. , by doing it repeatedly when you train and every time you train you'll get the muscle memory and it becomes second nature.

"Practice doesn't make perfect...perfect practice makes perfect."

Master H. Kanazawa

so in otherwords: keep practicing

Answer 5

Anyone who believes katas are pointless has not grasp the fundamentals of whatever style of martial Arts they are doing.

Answer 6

I think improperly taught kata are pointless.

If you learn the basis, then throw in a partner to learn the dynamics or timing and space, and then pressure test the techniques that are taught.....it's not a pointless measure.

Kata when taught intelligently, has purpose.

When taught unintelligently ala 'Kim's karate' or something, then no...they're not taught with purpose.

Answer 7

I do. It teach you to be rigid and unflexibility. I use to do kata when I took karate when I was younger. Then when I start do Muay Thai I had a lot of bad habit becaue I use to do Kata. My punch was slow and lingering, my hands keep go down to my wait, my stance was rigid which cause me to tense up and many other things.

Answer 8

I don't. It's a way to practice getting from one position to another repeatedly, that way when you're in a fight you don't have to think about it. Like in typing class, the first thing we did was put our fingers on the home keys and practice hitting each letter individually, even though there are no real documents that are just a series of fifty "w"s in a row. Then, once we'd mastered that we started actually typing things.

Answer 9

All Martial ares are good.I'll give you some facts on some:

Taekwoondo uses 90% of Legs (Kicks)(Olympic sport).
Karate is hands and legs but its kicks and punches are sharp and cut (Sport).
Kung fu uses both legs and hands in a more flowing movement(Sport).
Judo is mostly graps and turnovers and falls (Olympic sport).
Muai Tai has legs ,hands, elbows and is played in a boxing ring.
Aikido has hand techniques and falls (Not a sport).

I personally train in Chapkoondo it's a mix of Kung Fu ,Karate,Muai tai and Chinese boxing(Sport).I also have Black belt in Kung Fu.So there is no good bad or better.It's up to what each person likes and his body structure.

Answer 10

kata is the hardest!!!i love practicing it!!!its alot harder than kumite which makes it more interesting and challenging...agree???