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Post by supergroup7 on Dec 20, 2005 3:05:58 GMT 8
I've noticed that some Instructors will teach kata classes once a week... wherein they focus on kata only.
However, the Mom in me thinks that this is not as good as devoting a certain time to kata each class. Why? Because there is a higher chance that students may miss the information given at the "kata" class through inattendence. Also.. there is a higher chance that the student will not take the information home and practice it. By teaching a little bit each class, one could assume that the students will retain the information better.
The Down side is that you do not have a large chunk of time to focus on teaching a kata.
What are your opinions?
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Post by wmioch on Dec 27, 2005 19:18:11 GMT 8
Ideally, both. A class can be spent entirely on kata (even on one kata) but not every class. Neither should Kata always feature in a class, or else it will become stale!
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Post by sifuwhite on Feb 16, 2006 12:23:57 GMT 8
I think that Kata/forms should be taught twice a week, so that the student can focus on the form. This way when he or she is tested they will have a better understanding of the form. Howevever, Martial Artists don't live by Forms alone. So, you need to break it up a little and let them grow in other areas. Forms are great, but they are only part of the martial arts.
Sifu White
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Post by Will Senn on May 27, 2006 1:56:42 GMT 8
Yes, no, other - response provided below? I just had to pick other.
I agree that Martial Artists don't live by Kata alone. However, I do have a fondness for them.
Personally, I think that Kata should be taught at every class and that they should form the basis for the rest of the class. Start with Kata and drill down to technique, combine techniques for application (self defense, sparring, whatever) and then come back to Kata.
On the other hand, considering that we are all on different paths up the mountain, I can appreciate other points of view - so, whatever suits.
Here are some common problems with Kata to ponder: 1. Some instructors teach Kata for aerobic content. In my view this is a bastardization of the worst sort. If you want to improve your students cardio do cardio exercises, not Kata.
2. Some Kata are wholly innapropriate for the Art being taught. If you find yourself saying, "The only place this technique appears is in Kata XYZ", or "How come only a few of the techniques we use in class are in our Kata", you have a big problem. Kata are supposed to comprise the techniques of your style and visa versa. If this isn't the case, the Kata or the Art needs to be conformed.
3. A majority of instructors lack fundamental knowledge concerning their Kata. How often, in TKD have you heard Chongi (Heaven and Earth - the first kata) referred to as a beginner form with the idea that it is a form for beginners? Yes, it is a fundamental form that beginners are taught, but it is by no means innappropriate for 10th Dan Black Belts. Quite the contrary, while a high ranking Black Belt may dazzle you with his flying, leaping, turning advanced Kata, I always enjoy seeing their 'beginner' Kata - especially when there are weapons involved.
4. Kata aren't practical. This is more a fallacy, than actual problem. Too often, instructors and students alike fall into believing this lie or just as often, perpetrate a self fulfilling prophecy by dilluting the Kata to the point of ineffectiveness. This point goes back to point number 2, if Kata aren't practical, they're broken and in need of fixing. A Kata should never be practiced in a vaccum, opponents and weapons should be a regular part of Kata training. When Kata are practiced 'alone and empty handed', this should only be visually true - the practitioner needs to always 'see' the opponent and if appropriate, weapon.
How to 'teach' Kata: 1. Do Kata Simple, really, but many instructors just gab about them and don't demonstrate them.
2. Talk about Kata I know, I just said that many instructors gab about them. That's not what I mean here. Discuss the history, technique, broad and narrow application, weapon and empty hand, single and multiple attacker, physics - anything and everything should be explored and refined.
3. Break down Kata Practice the techniques comprising the Kata, in and out of context.
4. Apply Kata If Kata are so great, then prove it! Involve opponents and weapons and apply Kata or pieces of Kata to sparring and self defense.
-will
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Post by Ron Goninan on May 27, 2006 11:55:32 GMT 8
Will,
Great post. You raise some great points. I too feel that Kata/Taolu should be taught at every session. The value of the art is in itself, found within the forms ... one but has to look.
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Post by GM-Neal on May 27, 2006 13:18:27 GMT 8
We Teach Kata In Every Class, It has to be keep up. We Have so Many Kata's that if we did not go over or learn the Next Steps, it would be lost some where a long the way. Kata "The Dance of Death" What dance do you know that if you did not keep up with, you would get "Rusty". So Kata every Class, with Pratice at Home Stressed. It goes back to that same old thing "Reps"
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Post by GM-Neal on May 27, 2006 13:20:17 GMT 8
Oh, Hi to Ron & Tim You do not come on my forum any more so i will say Hi.
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Post by Ron Goninan on May 28, 2006 10:01:09 GMT 8
Gm Neal,
I don't go on the other forum much as there's not much discussion taking place at the moment. Don't know about Tim though?
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Post by Colin Wee on May 28, 2006 10:25:25 GMT 8
Here are some common problems with Kata to ponder: Excellent post Will, and I totally agree. I have been in schools where many of the problems you have mentioned above are true. Actually however, some of these problems creep up in my school too ... for some of the student population. At two times a week, the formal classes are at a loss for the time needed to fully explore kata, esp when people come intermittently. This is one of the reasons why I've put in a lot of work documenting this stuff, videoing it when I've got the chance, and integrating the whole pattern set into my day to day syllabus. Just yesterday one of my white belts after 4 months finally got the idea that there has been more than one exercise for the lower block he had been working on. Still I think 4months is better than 4 years (or in my case 14years) of not thinking about each techniques and elaborating on the potential to apply it in different circumstances. Colin
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Post by Colin Wee on May 28, 2006 10:27:39 GMT 8
Kata "The Dance of Death" What dance do you know that if you did not keep up with, you would get "Rusty". Hahahahahh! Man, I thought that was really funny. Currently trying to move into my new house - shifting boxes has given me a back ache, and I have felt a certain kind of 'rusty' set in. Colin
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Post by Colin Wee on May 28, 2006 16:17:50 GMT 8
2. Talk about Kata I know, I just said that many instructors gab about them. That's not what I mean here. Discuss the history, technique, broad and narrow application, weapon and empty hand, single and multiple attacker, physics - anything and everything should be explored and refined. And that's why the TMAC exists! In fact I'd really like for you to look at the section on 'Korea, Early Chang Hon Taekwondo' and start looking at the forms in relation to your post. Colin
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