(Approx 2 minute 35 second read) Over the years, I’ve had more than one conversation with experienced martial artists – and those with no interest in kata – about its purpose and function. . One question that comes up repeatedly is whether kata, as it’s practiced today, is really full of usable fighting techniques, or…
Tag: Lineage
Stripped of Illusion: Not All Who Wear the Belt Wear the Values.
(Approx 2 minute read) Recently, I wrote an article asking whether karate builds character. We’re often told it does. . It’s a phrase passed down from instructor to student, repeated so often it becomes accepted as truth. It’s written on dojo walls, part of the budo creed. . And maybe – at times – it…
Are You Teaching What You Understand – or Just Instructing What You Were Told?
(Approx 2 minute 15 second read) There’s a difference between asking a question and asking someone else to do your thinking for you – especially when it comes from someone you don’t know. . Lately, I’ve been receiving messages from instructors – some new to teaching, others with different backgrounds – asking how I approach…
If It’s Not Real, Why Are You Teaching It? Tradition Isn’t an Excuse for Ineffective Teaching.
Approx 2 minute 40 second read) Kata, kihon, and two-person drills are part of the language of karate. But none of these should be practiced in isolation or merely for tradition. They should all have a connection – each part serving a purpose, forming a blueprint for learning how to deal with violence. If it…
Revisiting Step-Kumite: Because “Beginners Have to Start Somewhere” Isn’t Good Enough.
(Approx 2 minute 40 second read) With regard to my recent article on step-kumite, someone argued that beginners need a starting point, and that step-kumite is often seen as an entry-level method. . He made the comparison to teaching a child how to catch a baseball – starting with a tennis ball at a short…
The Past Informs Us, But It Doesn’t Define Us – What Matters Is What You Can Do with It.
(Approx 1 minute 55 second read) I’ve always been fascinated by history. When I lived in a rural area of the UK, reminders of the past were everywhere – Bronze Age burial sites, a Roman town and amphitheater, a 10th-century church. You could almost feel the weight of time beneath your feet. That sense of…
The Lost Lessons of Kata: Is it Time to Move Beyond the Myths?
(Approx 1 minute 50 second read) It’s hard not to feel frustrated when reading comments about kata. So many people speak with confidence – but little understanding – about what kata is for, how it works, or why it was created in the first place. . Most of the time, their explanations are rooted in…
Stop It Dead? No. Why “Block and Counter Is Not Enough.
(Approx 2 minute 50 second read) In a recent conversation about my article on preemption and self-defense, someone said to me, “There are some situations where a block and counter is your only option.” . At first glance, it sounds reasonable – but as a general principle for self-defense? It’s flawed. . There are moments…
Step-Kumite: Is It a Historical Misstep?
(Approx 2 minute 30 second read) The article I recently wrote about karate not being purely defensive – that preemption is often necessary – and that, in my opinion, teaching step-kumite at any level is inconsistent with karate for self-defense, drew the usual responses. . People telling me how wrong I am. I get quite…
Don’t Wait to Get Hit: Karate Is Not Just Defensive.
(Approx 2 minute 45 second read) When I’ve conducted seminars or watch students from other dojo trying to work out movements to the bunkai in kata, it’s obvious that many of them have been taught to simply block, then counter. . Many instructors cite the reason for this, often referring to the saying ‘karate ni…
‘That’ll Do’? No – Not Just Any Tool Will Do.
(Approx 2 minute 15 second read) Maybe it’s just me, but I’ve never liked the attitude of “that’ll do”. . To me, it says “I can’t be bothered” – and that speaks volumes. I’ve always believed in doing things right the first time, or at least giving your best effort. You won’t always succeed, but…
You Still Recognize the Game – Karate Should Be No Different.
(Approx 2 minute 20 second read) There’s a common belief in classical karate that it gives you a reliable way to protect yourself. But plenty of people – especially those from more modern systems – say otherwise. A big part of the problem is that karate has often gone unchallenged. Because of Japan’s culture of…