Tips on performing Kata/Forms

BobbyOLeary

Hi guys,

I've got a grading for my Kenpo 3rd Brown coming up soon and was wondering if any of you guys had any tips on how to make a kata look really nice as its performed. I know the main thing is practice but I was hoping some of you out there would have some little tips on it.

Any help would be great, its not a comp or anything but I'd like my own form to come off pretty nicely, just for my own confidence on the day!

Cheers
Bobby

Vas_Guy

Attitude when performing the kata, visualise your opponent in front of you when your performing the moves.

http://www.wikf.com/kataprinc.htm

Remember kata when done for gradings should be done different than that for competitions

BobbyOLeary

Attitude when performing the kata, visualise your opponent in front of you when your performing the moves.

http://www.wikf.com/kataprinc.htm

Remember kata when done for gradings should be done different than that for competitions

Hmmm, would you care to elaborate on that a little bit. I was kind of looking for some plain english stuff. I have all the Kenpo manuals at home, they say much the same thing, visualise your opponent, etc. The problem I found is that it is quite hard to convert those points to movements on the mat. It could just be me but I dunno.

mark.leonard

Couple general tips for ya (and remember my knowledge is of TKD patterns so there might be some inconsistencies between the styles):

Unless otherwise indicated in the form keep looking at eye height, don't look down at your technique as is the temptation as this takes away from it. Maintaining eye height makes you look that little bit more confident.

Unless otherwise indicated (for example Kwan Gae would be an exception) keep a constant rhythm through the pattern. Allow each technique enough time to fully complete before going to the next one, never "bounce out" of one technique into the next, i.e. never do say a low block, and as soon as you have gotten your forearm to low blocking position, move it again as you begin your next technique, there should be a point in between each technique that a photographer could take a picture and have the perfect stance and technique at once. The same applies in combinations, do them quickly, but allow each technique to complete before going to the next one.

If you need to shout at the end or during a form, belt it out, don't be shy! Again this goes towards convincing your examiners that you are confident.

Kicks should go out and come back at the same height, never just kick out and then allow your leg to flop down as you return it.

Symmetry; techniques should look identical done right or left, practice into mirrors to get this right. If you are doing a high kick each side for example (Hwa Rang jumps to mind for TKDites) and your less flexible leg is obviously lower than your good one, lower your good leg kicking height so they look the same as one high, one not so high looks poor.

TKD patterns are required to start and finish in the same spot, I am not sure if your style incorporates a similar idea, but if so make sure you nail this time and again; its the best judge the examiner has of the overall shape of your pattern.

That's all that immediately springs to mind, but there should be plenty there to keep you going.

I feel compelled to mention that I no longer practice patterns as I am now convinced of their impracticality. Not trying to hijack the thread, just wanted to add that so the MMA conspiracy doesn't brand me a traitor and demand my execution!

BobbyOLeary

Thanks Mark I'll try to keep a few of those in my head when I'm doing it.

Cheers!