Kihon (basics) -
Kihon are
the basic training drills of karate. Karate is a martial
art, and the Kihon reflects typical martial/military
training methods for a large group of people to practice
their skills. Traditionally Kihon are performed in lines
with all students performing the same techniques, similar to
soldiers marching on a parade ground. The instructor stands
at the front and issues commands to the rank and file, who
then perform the appropriate techniques. In the ranks, the
higher grades are at the front and the beginners at the back
with the highest grade at the front right hand side and the
lowest grade at the back left hand side.
However,
Kihon is a very general term
and can also apply to pair work and even to group training
where the techniques and drills being performed are relevant
to the grades requiring them.
Kata -
Kata is often the least understood
aspect of Karate. On first sight it is a predetermined
sequence of blocks and attacks against multiple imaginary
opponents, however the oriental arts are often much more
than they seem on first inspection. Initially, Kata is
a way of practicing techniques on your own. The blocks and
strikes involved in the sequences tie in with the techniques
being practiced at your own level of expertise. Each time
you advance to a higher grade the Kata increase in
complexity and length. At a high level of proficiency Kata
requires a certain 'mental' input to be performed well, and
moves on from being merely sequences of movements to an art
form, and a form of moving meditation. Once a proper
understanding of Kata is achieved, you see that it is a form
of recording a complete fighting system with techniques that
can be applied practically!
A Kata performed
well is more taxing, physically and mentally, than a three
minute sparring session with a real opponent, and is a
pleasure to watch. Kata is also the ultimate challenge in
Karate. In Kumite, you can knock someone out with a blow to
the head and win your bout, but in Kata you are striving to
attain perfection, and your opponent is yourself, so you can
never win.
Kumite - Kumite is a catch-all
expression roughly translated as
'fighting
or sparring". Though many people see
Kumite as the be all and end all of Karate it is just
one facet, and arguably the least important one at that!
Kumite is necessary to allow the karateka to try out
what they have learned, all be it in a controlled
environment. It requires speed, tactics,
concentration and above all the willingness to have a
go. Fitness also comes into it but again at the
karateka's own level. A lot will depend on the
tactics adopted, remember the tortoise and the hare?
Ninety
nine percent of people take up the martial arts for the
self defence aspect, but as time progresses they learn
that there are many other benefits to be gained from
martial disciplines, and that the fighting is just one
way of developing them.
We have different forms of Kumite...
Ippon Kumite - One Step
Fighting
(This is a
very formalized type of fighting, which consists of
predetermined attacks, blocks and counter strikes.
The movements are set in the syllabus, and each new
belt attempted requires a new set of Ippon Kumite
increasing in number and complexity as the student
progresses through the grades.)
Jiyu Ippon Kumite -
Free One Step Fighting
(Similar to Ippon Kumite,
and a grading requirement for higher grades.
Jiyu
Ippon Kumite consists of the attacker either
being given a set attack (e.g. side kick) which
is delivered in any form or variation of the
technique to any viable target on the body, and
the defending student has a free choice of block
and counter. Each time the attack is thrown the
defender is expected to perform a different
block/counter combination.)
Jiyu Kumite - Free
Form Fighting
(This is what is commonly called 'sparring'.
You can improvise your own combinations of
attacks/defences, and you learn to react to
the unexpected - a 'live' opponent! Certain
techniques are not permitted for safety
purposes (eye gouging, kicks to the groin or
knee etc.), and we do not encourage students
to spar until they are capable of defending
themselves adequately - usually once they
have passed the first grading examination.
As an exercise and a training method it is a
lot of fun, providing common sense
prevails... A black belt will
tone down his or her sparring when faced
with a less able partner and give them a
chance to land a technique - the less
experienced Karateka are encouraged, not
beaten to death. Jiyu Kumite is a learning
experience first and foremost, a chance to
try out new techniques in relative safety, a
way to develop and maintain specific
reactions or dominant responses.
Ippon Shobu -
Competition (Karate
competition follows very precise rules
which cross all boundaries of style,
association or club. In short,
competitors wear either Shiro (white
belt) or Aka (red belt), and a referee
starts and stops the bout, and awards
points for well executed techniques. The
goal is to be the first to score one
full point (Ippon) or two half points
(Wazari).
However, most "sporting competitions"
held nowadays operate a multi point
scoring system that is similar to those
used in other martial events in the
Olympic showcase. At Takumi we
focus on the traditional "Ippon Shobu"
as it the most practical for our
members.
Randori
- 'Free For All' (As the name
suggests there are no rules,
restrictions or forbidden techniques.
Randori is
practiced by very senior grades only,
those sensible and skilled enough to
bear in mind that the person you are
kneeing in the groin will be sitting
next to you in the pub after training
has ended! A skilled Karateka can
deliver a controlled elbow strike to the
face without causing damage to his
opponent, who is also skilled enough to
acknowledge that the blow, if delivered
fully, would have caused severe damage.
Randori is not an every day part of club
training but something that each student
must experience at some point for their
own knowledge.
All forms of fighting test the body to
it's limits. You work muscles and joints
in strange and unusual ways, your mind
has to be focused and clear, and, at the
end of the day, it's a great way to work
out all those frustrations, niggles and
hassles of every day life that just seem
to keep piling on top of you. Have
you ever wondered why people who train
seriously in the martial arts for many
years are so calm and laid back?
Kobujutsu - Way of Weapons
(weapons training)
Our club is in the early stages of
introducing this particular form of
martial arts training and as such it
is only available to senior brown
and black belts. We do not
offer classes as such, but sessions
are seen as a follow up to knowledge
gained by attending courses and
gradings taken by Senior Kobujutsu
Instructors such as
Sensei Julian Mead of the Ryukyu
Kobujutsu Association of Great
Britain. It is recommended
that you have a basic foundation in
Karate before trying these sessions.
For more information about attaining
an individual membership of the
RKAGB please visit their Website.
