Kata vs sparring training?

Question

witch one is more effective aganist a skilled fighter

Answer 1

You need well rounded training. Katas or forms are used to teach principle and muscle memory. As you go through the each form you need to teach your body how to react to certain situations as well as memorize certain moves. This is done through repetition starting slow and gradually building up speed until you can move at full attack speed. This may be done over many lessons or even months before getting to real speed.

Sparring teaches you to think on your feet. You use what you know from forms and other lessons in a high speed situation with real impact. Different types of sparring give different levels of reality to the exercise but all can be useful.

Then there's another type of training, real life experience. With it you become wiser and more understanding of what self defense and fighting is all about. Some say it's the best type of training. I think you need some of all three.

Answer 2

dude, from the way you phrased your question I was about to go off. The way its explained legitimately poses the question to those self-delusional people who believe that doing kata is actually going to teach them to fight. If you only have a few hours to train a week, and no training partner, then obviously I wouldn't waste my time doing kata (we don't even have any). Obviously doing any form of training with a resisting partner for sparring and drills is the best case scenario. Without a training partner your options are limited, but you make the best of what you can. I would either do bagwork or solo practice that would be the equivalent of shadowboxing if that was unavailable. There are also some technique specific stregth training drills I would do that you can do alone. But personally I don't see the value of ever doing kata, kata doesn't train your technique, doing the move over and over either by yourself or better with a live opponent that is letting you get it off then giving progressive resistance as you go on is going to train you more efficiently and effectively than memorizing a few pre-set pattern moves ever could.

Answer 3

Neither. In sparring there are too many rules, rules you don't have in a real fight. As for kata, while it is a good way ot memorize techniques, increase speed, balance and stamina and get used to changing from one technique to another, without an opponent, there no way to gauge your effectiveness. The best way to be effective against a skileld fighter is to train to use your techniqes against skilled fighters (not sparring). Practical application and combat drills are a must. I make certain that ALL of my students are capable of using what they have been taught before they are taught anything new.

Answer 4

actually u need both.having the correct kata is the foundation,and sparring gives u hands-on experience on when is the right timing to use your practiced correct kata.

skilled fighters usually have "nearly perfected" kata along with a pretty long experience of sparring with different people.beating such fighters require more of brains,coordination&timing.

Answer 5

Kata and kumite should really not be practiced separately. they are designed to go together.
But if you forced me to do only one I guess I would choose kumite although sparring would be kind of hard if you never learn the moves first.

It is like a college course that is a lecture and a lab. If you take one away it really doesn't make much sense.

Answer 6

The only thing effective against a skillled fighter is experience. You should read the Dao De Ching and the Art of War.

Answer 7

It is not an either/or question. Both must be performed to fully develop the skills of a warrior. Or an athlete, if that is the direction you lean.

Answer 8

Katas develop technique and precision.
Sparring develops spontaneity.

Answer 9

sparring obviously, its only when you spar that you realise where certain things in the kata can be used.

Answer 10

neither.