Should You Practice Kata and Forms?

It's an old debate in the martial arts world—should you practice kata or not? Here's my opinion on the matter. What's yours?

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SUMMARY:
Kata is not self-defense. Kata is not fighting. Kata is not sparring. But hey--everyone should know that by now...especially the people who practice kata. So, what is kata?

Kata is an exercise. That's it. It's like jumping rope. You don't go into a boxing gym, see someone jumping rope and say, "Hey, Champ--you're wasting your time. Nobody jumps rope in the ring." You also don't walk into a weight room, see someone swinging a 100 pound kettlebell and say, "Hey, Big Guy--you're wasting your time. I've never seen anyone get hit with a kettlebell in the street."

Well, it's the same with forms. Kata—like jumping rope or lifting weights—is simply a method of conditioning for something else. It's just a piece of a larger practice puzzle... or at least it should be.

Personally, I think your practice puzzle should include getting choked and punched in the face once in a while, too. But that's me. Anyway, there are two basic approaches to training with kata or forms...

Approach #1: Kata tells you WHAT to do. You view the form as a collection of techniques. It's a block. It's a strike. It's a break. It's a takedown. It's whatever you say it is. Your bunkai, your business. But the big idea is that you are rehearsing a specific technique with every movement.

Approach #2: Kata tells you HOW to do. You view the form as a collection of habits. It could be a block. It could be a strike. It doesn't matter because your goal is to develop balance, breathing, control, coordination, focus, power, structure, and spirit. The big idea is that you are rehearsing physical and emotional ideals that can be applied to any technique.

Of course, there's a third approach where you combine both mindsets—rehearsing what to do and how to do it at the same time. Some styles may start focused on how to move, then fill in applications later. Some styles may start focused on techniques, then join those movements into a form so you'll have a notebook to remember them. Some styles might combine form and function together right from the start. All good.

So, do you have to do kata to be the best martial artist you can be? No. I know some scary people who don't believe in practicing kata at all. But I also know some scary people who DO believe in practicing kata. What does that prove?

It proves that kata can be whatever you want kata to be. It's up to you to figure out how to make it work for you to help you reach your goals, just like figuring out whether you want to jump rope, jog, lift weights, stretch, meditate, or watch videos.

Bottom line—if you're getting value out of your kata practice, cool—keep doing it. If you want more value out of your kata practice, consider spending time on both WHAT you're doing and HOW you're doing it.

And hey—if you think kata practice is a complete waste of time, that’s cool, too. Do your thing. The only thing that’s not cool is making fun of people who practice kata without knowing why they're doing it and what they're getting out of it. That would be just like making fun of people for hitting a speed bag, tossing a medicine ball, or smashing a tire with a hammer.

Until next time, build your own puzzle, my friend, and keep fighting for a happy life.

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Keep fighting for a happy life! :)

WARNING: The advice and movements shown in this video are for informational and educational purposes only. Consult a doctor before engaging in any exercise or martial arts program.

#ando #kata #forms

[RamseyDewey]

The more I search for a practical combat application for the high block, the more convinced I become that it was meant specifically as a ballistic push/pull exercise.

[bobbader]

The Forms are like moving meditation for me, I can practice by myself and it helps me to remember some of the moves I might have forgotten. I do desire more applications work 🙏

[Wulfdojo]

The older I get the more kata becomes about the walking meditation for me. As a way of clearing my mind, and the overall physical health benefits. Bunkai is still important to know and understand from a teaching standpoint but I'm of the opinion the likelihood of needing it for self defense decreases with age.

[crossroadspsychology]

This is a highly misunderstood topic. Thanks for the explanations.

[damaszener]

If you don't have a partner to train with, then katas (and forms) are a way to practice movement.
Forms were invented for this.
In my opinion, forms are not intended to be performed in a tournament.
Forms are not designed to defend yourself, but to increase the possibility of protecting yourself from attacks.
With a kata you train your reaction and not the fighting itself.

Practice your Kata!

[lancecahill]

The best value that I get from kata is muscle memories, so I can perform a technique without having to think much about it, and i can focus on my opponent's movements instead.

[honeyfitz]

True story ... I was ambush attacked on the street and used a technique from kata that I never practiced as a sparring technique. I just did it without any thought. It's one of those techniques that looks weak and impractical. It knocked the guy to the ground. Then his girlfriend ran over and yelled "Leave him alone." So I did.

[makenjikarate]

Kata definitely has its place in solo training, but whenever a partner is available, using them should be your priority

[stevejuszczak]

I say yes as you get older forms . Katas are a good form of exercise .

[anftrew]

I used to stress over the fact that nobody could every agree or tell me what the applications of forms were. But over time I stopped caring. I just find it fun, for fun's sake and no other. Especially if you bang it out with a massive dollop of fake fury and make a lot of noise. Oh and it just happens to be a decent workout too. And there are so many moves in every day life that look like elements of firms, more than enough to make the odd tongue in cheek comedy application up.

[unifiedway]

I think Jack Hackleman needs to understand this. I love your debate with him . I’m just glad you end your debate the right way

[enderbykarate]

Excellent views, i agree. For me, Kata is the tool that helps us synchronize our thought and our action. Kata for us, is built in sections, similar to partner combinations which represent attack and defense situations. Kata helps you to execute your technique accurately, with purpose and focus to be in sync with the moment of the movement.

[ravenironside]

I appreciate your lesson here sensi, it's always a pleasure to learn from you

[robertsmith]

Great video. I always liked forms. No problem if someone else doesn't.

[insightsifu]

Thank you for your thoughtful (& humorous!) videos. 👍😁

[nicklausmb]

Agree. My old katate instructor snapped at anyone who didn't "Practice" at home or look 100% accurate for a form on a belt test, including me (he had major anger problems). He could be a jerk at some times. I quit going there in 2021. I'm not currently doing any arts, but if I do decide to return to martial arts, I will remember this.

[Docinaplane]

I've always liked Tekki Shodan, but I never really do any other of the 30+ kata I've learned because for the time spent, I can do more practical training, like sparring and grappling.

[MilesJ]

Shadow Boxing can also be seen as KATA come to think about it

[daniel-zhnjyny]

I think Ando knows already, so this is for people watching his channel: Pinan/Heian was created as a beginner's kata by Anko Itosu, a big name in Okinawan Karate. According to experts, it's supposed to have something for every range of a stand-up confrontation.

[blockmasterscott]

Depends on the person, everyone is different. Forms work wonders for some people and are useless for others. Me, I'm a forms man all the way. I love forms and live for forms. But not everyone is like that.

"There are many paths up to the top of the mountain", and practicing forms is only one of the paths.