Getting Your Kicks From Kata

Some people get their kicks on Route 66. I get mine performing kata.

When performing kata for trophies high kicks are often the norm, and this makes sense since the kata is an "artistic performance". But for me, in attempting to interpret kata for real world self defense, I target my kicks to either the lower abdominal area or legs. Certainly there is a training and aesthetic benefit when performing head level kicks - and certainly there are those who can successfully use these kicks in real world situations. But for most people, I think, it would be extremely dangerous attempting to kicking someone in the head - unless they've lowered the target first via some other technique.

Take today for example: it's a wet and rainy fall day - wet leaves abound and the asphalt in the parking lot is slippery as well. If I were to be accosted while walking to my car - even if the opportunity presented itself - would it be wise to attempt a head kick as an initial strike? I think the answer is obvious - no. There are too many variables working against me. Another reason to avoid high kicks - clothing. In the dojo your gi pants are loose fit allowing greater movement, but on the street wearing your stylish tight jeans is another story. Restrictive clothing obviously restricts movement. So unless your an expert fighter when flat on your back please don't try head kicks in the tight jeans you are wearing. A third reason head kicks aren't ideal - time of day and the weather's effect on the body. When I arrive at work around 6:45 AM my body isn't nearly as flexible as it is by late afternoon. Factor in a cold winter day and I'm at an even greater disadvantage for applying techniques requiring flexibility. While this may not apply to the same degree to a twenty-something karateka, I believe it still a a factor of some degree.

Now back to kata. I think it's safe to say all kicks found in the Shotokan kata syllabus are part of a combination of techniques meant to immobilize your opponent offering you the opportunity to escape. A kick to the knee or shin, as part of flurry of techniques, may be all you need to temporarily injure your opponent enough to run and seek help and safety. A kick to the groin or lower abdomen will have the same effect - it's hard to chase someone when you're doubled over in pain. Lower kicks also are safer for the karateka as well, since they are less likely to be caught by your opponent. Additionally lower kicks can be more sneaky - you can supply sufficient power while "cheating" by not applying full leg motion as done when kicking to higher levels (look up the flick kick).

Remember, when performing and interpreting kata, keeping it real is the best way to understand its intent - and this especially applies to kicks I believe.

Well, that's all for now.