| The educational system often talks about the 'Three | | | | drills we are able to directly apply our defensive |
| Rs' of Reading Writing and Arithmetic. To a casual | | | | movements and counters against actual attacks. |
| observer, one might say that the education system | | | | As we progress in our skill level the drills become |
| was flawed from the very beginning by the fact that | | | | harder with a greater element of surprise that is |
| it can't spell! In Karate, however, we can spell, and | | | | gradually introduced, until we are able to deal with |
| the three Ks really are three Ks - Kihon, Kata and | | | | random attacks from multiple opponents. For our |
| Kumite. Let's look at each one and explain what it is. | | | | language analogy our kumite training is how we |
| Kihon means Basics. Basics are the fundamentals of | | | | express ourselves by using our vocabulary and our |
| our art or style. In Karate, basics are our punches, | | | | grammar appropriately based on any given situation. |
| our kicks, our blocks, our strikes and our stances. In | | | | By breaking down our karate training into the 'Three |
| order to build a strong foundation for our karate we | | | | Ks', we are able to focus on each core training |
| must drill and practice the basics constantly. The | | | | element individually, and consequently improve our |
| honing of our basic technique is the very essence of | | | | overall ability through a very systematic approach. |
| our training and must be taken seriously in order to | | | | Our ultimate goal is to combine these three elements |
| progress to a high level of skill. If we compare karate | | | | seamlessly so that the 'Three Ks' become one K -- |
| to learning a language, our kihon or karate basics are | | | | and that K of course is Karate. |
| our vocabulary. | | | | When this seamlessness takes place, you begin |
| Kata means Form. Forms are sequences of | | | | operating from a level of what is known in the west |
| movements that are put together in an overall | | | | as unconscious competence. You don't have to think |
| pattern that we must memorize. Kata training | | | | of the individual pieces and parts. Everything fits |
| includes the elements of direction, technique, speed, | | | | together and works in harmony almost totally |
| power and rhythm. On a deeper level the analysis of | | | | without any direction from the conscious mind. This is |
| kata can lead to many useful discoveries for practical | | | | the level from which the masters operate and that is |
| self-defense, since hidden within the different forms | | | | why observing them is like watching poetry in motion. |
| are many useful sequences of movements that can | | | | For more information on these individual elements of |
| be directly applied to different scenarios. Going back | | | | Karate check out the following FREE Report |
| to our language analogy, kata can be likened to the | | | | "Achieving the Black Belt: How to Successfully Take |
| grammar of our karate. | | | | Your Karate to the Next Level". You can download it |
| Kumite means Partner Work or Sparring. Basic | | | | at |
| partner work introduces pre-arranged training drills | | | | Keep training hard and don't hesitate to contact me if |
| that help us get used to using different punches, | | | | you have any questions at |
| kicks, blocks and strikes. Through these set training | | | | Good luck and best wishes on your journey in karate. |