BASIC "KATA" FOR PROMOTION TO ORANGE BELT
First of all, what is a kata?
A kata is a mock battle / fight against opponents in several directions. But, significantly more than that, each kata is utilizes and emphasizes a basic stance or two, a basic block or two, and a basic strike or two, and perhaps a kick.
Many of the turns are not practical in "real life" applications, but instead teaches the student balance in turning, increased recognition of "right" and "left", as well as teaching a combination of "block then punch" scenarios.
ALL of the first 4 kata have the EXACT same format: a CAPITAL "I".
The first 3 of these vary ONLY with which block is used:
1. Kihon Kata: Long stance, side block, middle punch
2. Kihon Kata Ichi: Long stance, down block, middle punch
3. Kihon Kata Ni: Long stance, upper block, middle punch
Here's the kata format / steps:
Closed stance
State name of kata (in this case, "Kihon Kata")
Yoi / Prepare
Kamae / Open (shoulder width, feet parallel) stance
Step out to the left w/ left leg to long stance, blocking with side block
Step w/ right leg same direction to long stance with middle punch right hand
Front leg (R) steps back opposite direction into long stance Rt foot fwd, right arm side block
Step w/ left leg same direction to long stance with middle punch left hand
Left leg moves 1/4 turn to left into long stance left leg fwd, left arm side block
Step w/ right leg same direction to long stance with middle punch right hand
Step w/ left leg same direction to long stance with middle punch left hand
Step w/ right leg same direction to long stance with middle punch right hand, KIAI !!!
The next turn is a 3/4 turn counter-clockwise, moving left leg to long stance w/ left side block
Step w/ right leg same direction to long stance with middle punch right hand
Front leg (R) steps back opposite direction into long stance Rt foot fwd, right arm side block
Step w/ left leg same direction to long stance with middle punch left hand
Left leg moves 1/4 turn to left into long stance left leg fwd, left arm side block
Step w/ right leg same direction to long stance with middle punch right hand
Step w/ left leg same direction to long stance with middle punch left hand
Step w/ right leg same direction to long stance with middle punch right hand, KIAI !!!
The next turn is a 3/4 turn counter-clockwise, moving left leg to long stance w/ left side block
Step w/ right leg same direction to long stance with middle punch right hand
Front leg (R) steps back opposite direction into long stance Rt foot fwd, right arm side block
Step w/ left leg same direction to long stance with middle punch left hand
Bringing left leg back so that student's body is now facing starting direction
Right leg moves in to closed stance position
Bow
Kata is done
To Do Kata #2 and #3 above, the ONLY change is the type of block:
#2. Kihon kata ichi: substitute down block, everything else same
#3. Kihon kata ni: substitute upper block, everything else same
HELPFUL SUGGESTIONS:
1. FIND A PLACE YOU CAN PUT DOWN SOME MASKING TAPE INTO THE FORM OF A GIANT "I" SO THAT YOU CAN HELP DIRECT AND COACH THE STUDENT'S MOTIONS.
2. MAKE A RECTANGLE OUT OF MASKING TAPE ON THE FLOOR. WIDTH (SMALL SIDE) OF RECTANGLE IS WIDTH OF STUDENT'S SHOULDER STANCE. LENGTH OF RECTANGLE IS DOUBLE THAT DISTANCE. THAT'S HOW LONG THE STUDENT'S STANCE SHOULD BE, WHILE THE STANCE'S WIDTH IS SHOULDER WIDE FOR THAT STUDENT.
