Efficiency of Kata

Gary Lever, the founder of Iron Ronin Budo and a very accomplished Karate-ka, made a video recently on his thoughts on the efficiency of kata in a real fight. Watch it here, then come back to me:

I've trained with Gary briefly many years ago, and again more recently at one of his seminars but I have followed him for some time. Not only is he extremely knowledgeable, but the intensity that he trains with, I must admit, I'm in awe of (also slightly intimidated when I partnered him).

In his Youtube video, he made some valid points about how kata isn't really designed for real fights.

While I understand where he is coming from, I have to say I have a slightly different view of kata. Perhaps it's my age, or some dream land in my head, but kata has a lot more to offer that I think it's sometimes given credit for. Let me explain my thinking...

Now before I get into it, I need to make a few things clear.

I agree (to some degree) with Gary. I don't believe that kata hold mysterious secrets and I agree that most kata are only around 100 years old.

However, what I do believe is that kata were a way of transmitting lessons to be cemented in by the use of 2 person drills. The most logical way of transmitting these lessons was through kata as most people couldn't read or write and (obviously) cameras weren't invented then.

Lets take Naihanchi as an example.

The first principle of Naihanchi is transmitted in the opening ‘salutation’ when both arms rise up in front of you while creating a diamond shape with your thumb and fingers. This video might give a better explanation. Watch here. This principle is about:

• Creating space. When you break down what a strike is (let’s say a punch to the head), it's basically someone trying to replace your head with their fist. They are trying to steal the space that you are currently occupying. By creating space, you are not only preventing the attacker from smashing your face in, but also allowing you space in which to move, regroup, obtain a better position and the deal with the situation.

This principle is not unique to Naihanchi. This can be found in multiple katas, which makes me believe that its these lessons that kata are trying to impart.

If you start looking at combat, self defense, fighting with these principles, then it doesn't really matter what the technique is or looks like, providing it's fulfilling these principles. Once you understand the principles that underlie kata, then the rest falls in place, and it is here that kata not only becomes efficient, but allows you to dive deeper and deeper into understanding biomechanics of the human body and combat.

Now, confession time.

I could literally count on one hand, how many times I have been in an altercation / fight on the street. I am by no means a seasoned street fighter (something I am also happy with. I can't risk this face looking any worse than it already is).

But...I have researched this, practiced it, over and over again, thought about it, pressure tested it with fellow karate-ka and this is my take on it all.

Saifa potentially tries to impart principles for Lion Boxing.

Seipai impart principles from Arhat (Luohan) boxing.

More to come on these later…

Now this is just a theory or some ramblings of a 40 something year old karate ka, but it does keep kata interesting and in a way mysterious.

Jez