Basics,
Kata, and
Kumite are the three basic
aspects of
Karate training and should be begun in that order. They were outlined by
Gichin Funakoshi when he brought
Karate to the mainland of
Japan from
Okinawa in the early 1920's.
Kihon (basics) consists of the
techniques by themselves.
Blocks,
strikes, and
kicks are all done repeatedly, sometimes standing still, sometimes moving
forwards or
backwards in a certain
stance. These are the
building blocks of
karate.
Kata consists of a combination of
techniques in a predetermined
sequence, moving in different directions, and at higher levels using many different
stances. Not only does this allow the
karateka to gain a fluidity between
techniques and directions, it also hones the
mental acuity necessary for
karate. Properly performed, a
kata appears similiar to a graceful
dance.
Kumite is
sparring and it should be done only after a passing skill is gained in both
kata and basics, as repeatedly using a technique in
combat without an
adequate amount of
skill will cause one to learn the
technique improperly and develop
bad habits. There is set sparring, in which two
karateka practice in a line, usually one move at a time and with a
predetermined pattern outlined by the
sensei, and free
sparring. In which the participants
attempt to score on each other by either "tagging" (hitting lightly) the other person] or by coming within a few inches from hitting them and stopping. Usually only higher level
karateka will be allowed to
tag each other since it takes a greater degree of
skill to hit someone when they don't want you to without breaking their
bones.
If you take a
karate class, you will spend most of your time there doing these three things, and, if your
sensei is good, at least almost as much time listening to him
lecture.