Developing a Greater Understanding of Kata

A student must have made significant improvements in this kata if they are to successfully grade to Brown belt. This does not solely include their speed and power when performing the kata. They must also demonstrate a greater understanding and ability in the key principles promoted throughout the kata. These include:

a) Maintaining solid, uncompromising stances whilst performing multiple hand techniques.

b) Effective hip rotation.

c) Maintaining the same height whilst moving between stances.

d) Ensuring the hands follow their true path, not only in the final product, but in the preparation. At Red belt, a student should have ‘tightened the loose screws’ in their technique and eliminated unnecessary excessive movements that may have existed in their earlier grades.

e) Keeping the shoulders down and relaxed.

f) Quality ibuki (breathing). A Red belt should not hold their breath during any part of the kata, nor should they breathe out excessively. They should have developed a consistent breathing pattern throughout the kata whereby the breathe in just as much as they breathe out.