To date, you’ve been assessed on 1st kata and 2nd kata (Taigyoku Shodan and Taigyoku Nidan). Each of these kata were 20 counts long and comprised of only:
  • One stance (long forward stance -zenkutsu-datchi).
  • One block (groin block – gedan barai).
  • One strike (stomach level punch – chudan tsuki).
  • One kick (front kick – mae geri).
Having arrived at Orange belt you will be introduced to kata Saifa. This kata will take you through your next two grades (both Orange and Green belts). Once again, this kata is 20 counts long, however it consistently flows between a variety of different stances, strikes, blocks, escape and grappling techniques. These include:

Stances In Saifa:

Saifa commonly uses four basic stances, Sumo (shiko datchi), Cat (neko ashi datchi), Long forward (zenkutsu datchi) and Pigeon toe stance (sanchin datchi). It also incorporates two advanced stances, one legged Heron stance (Sagi ashi datchi) and Reverse cat stance (kosa datchi).

Strikes In Saifa:

Saifa’s most commonly used strikes are Backfists (ura uchi) and both groin and head level Hammer fists (tettsui). It also uses the Simultaneous double punch (dan tsuki), Short punch (shito-tsuki) and Stomach level punch (chudan tsuki).