What Can Traditional Karate Kata Do In A Street Fight?

Kata is more than a response and being the soul of Karate it is considered the root of martial arts. This fact is already being supported by the people who have been practicing this art for many years. The training ensures that your moves are free, proper and all this is done unconsciously due to many years of training. In other words, achieving a mental state known as “Mushin”.

This is advanced stage of Karate where the moves and action are automatic and are done effortlessly. This stage can only be reached after strenuous practice which requires lot of pain and dedication.

Each form of this art is a technique in itself for training of Ki or Chi which is already inside every individual. The result is that you can get trained for combat by gradually increasing the intensity and intent of technique; it can be done 20 to 30 minutes or may be nonstop.

It is said that each move should result into a deadly strike, but again there no first move or strike in Karate, this is also true that the practitioner should never launch the first strike and use karate techniques thoughtlessly.

My theory is different as I say this is rubbish, the reason is very simple, you cannot wait in a street fight for an attack from the opponent, by the time you react, it might be too late even if you know 100 different moves to block the attack.

In short, if you are fortunate, you may wake up in the hospital or even worse in the morgue. This also a fact that most street altercation takes place within the distance of two or three feet which may start with exchange of words or arguments before real fight takes place.

In such case it may become more violent and can come very fast, you will have to be prepared mentally otherwise the opponent will start punching you down. These are new techniques being adopted by the modern thugs.

You will also be under stress and your adrenaline and heart rate will increase tremendously. You have to act fast, think fast; otherwise if your opponent is faster than you, you are sure to get dominated by the attacker.

With the increase in heart rate and adrenaline level, your thinking process may slow down; here you need control and discipline. If you cannot handle the situation, the best course is to leave the place immediately to save yourself from the injuries.

If you can preempt the attacks, your chances of winning the street fight are brighter, but if you think late, the attacker will knock you down and you can understand your plight with the kicks of the attacker and his companions.

You must not let it happen, this also true that the present world of 21st century is more violent and the application of Kata still remains the same, but still these can be adopted when we unfortunately get into street fight.


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