| Many Karate students, known as karateka, take up | | | | So why is kata some important to karate? Without |
| karate classes in the hope of being able to defend | | | | mastering the katas, when you compete against |
| themselves. This often leads to overlooking the | | | | another karateka at kumite then your techniques will |
| importance of learning karate katas and focusing | | | | be flawed. If your techniques are flawed then you |
| more towards kumite. In case you are new to | | | | are leaving yourself vulnerable to your opponent. |
| karate and do not know what karate katas or, or | | | | Whilst you are unlikely to get seriously hurt during |
| what kumite is I will tell you. | | | | sparring, if you find yourself in combat outside the |
| Karate katas are a sequence of moves combined | | | | dojo (place of training) then you could be in serious |
| into a pattern where the karateka demonstrates a | | | | danger to injury if you have poor techniques. |
| specific series of moves while attempting to maintain | | | | There are usually 26 katas that you can study. |
| perfect form. The katas can be demonstrated either | | | | Depending on where you train, this number may vary |
| solo or with a partner. Either way, the karateka | | | | slightly. The karate katas that you will need to learn |
| should visualise each move as if they are in combat | | | | start off with the basics and become more |
| with an enemy and are defending themselves of | | | | challenging the higher you grade through the belts. |
| their enemy attacks. | | | | The common order of karate katas are; Kaikyoku |
| Kumite means sparring, and this is where two | | | | (also known as Kihon Kata); Heian Shodan; Heian |
| karateka compete within a set area and must | | | | Nidan; Heian Sandan; Heian Yodan; Heian Godan; |
| attempt to strike the opponent without being | | | | Bassai Dai; Jion; Empi; Kanku Dai; Hangetsu; Jutte; |
| blocked whilst maintaing form in order to win points. | | | | Gankaku; Tekki Shodan; Tekki Nidan; Tekki Sandan; |
| There is usually a time limit of 3 minutes in which one | | | | Nijushiho; Chinte; Sochin; Meikyo; Unsu; Bassai Sho; |
| karateka must gain a certain amount of points in | | | | Kanku Sho; Wankan; Gojushiho Sho; Gojushiho Dai. |
| order to win the contest. | | | | |