Judging kata

[GJEC]

I was never that interested in traditional kata although I trained multiple British Champions.

I judged kata competitions though and even acted as chief judge when the usual chap couldn't attend.

So how did I judge something I didn't like?

EASY

If I watched a kata done and genuinely felt I wouldn't want that unleashed on me they got a high mark. I didn't worry too much about minor details, only if it would be effective. On courses many emphasised the need to deduct points for minor technical faults. I preferred my method though so I kept my mouth shut and scored as I saw it.

I did the same in promotion tests and even though Enshin kata are not traditional I want the same today. Sharp and effective.

Gary

[curlbroscience]

I agree Gary. Kata movement and technique efficiency should be a by-product of the applied technique on pads/bags/sparring etc rather than just empty air repetition of a series of movements. Spirit seems to be a big factor too. I'm not talking about loud and long kiai.

Do you practice any of the traditional Kata?

[GJEC]

Not now mate. I like the Enshin kata and found I could use them almost aikido like when I got the ok to resume training.

Starting to add a bit of snap and grunt to them now. Feels good.

Gary

[meguro]

You all know my feelings about traditional kata. . There should be a moratorium on traditional kata competitions, but fighting kata comps I believe should continue because there is no ambiguity to the movements. You know exactly what the performer is doing, and therefore can make a better judgement as to how effective that person might be in a fight, and how good his or her technique really is.

With traditional kata, it is like hearing someone use the phrase ," I could care less." Clearly, the intent is that the speaker has no interest at all in the matter, but the words indicate that in fact the speaker does have some interest, that their capacity for curiosity is more than what appears. With traditional kata, the misunderstanding of what they are doing, particularly with the emphasis of crisp movements and loud kiai makes it all the more unbearable for me. I could not care less.

[senshido]

I have recently changed the way I judge kata, previously four corner judges and chief judge would hold up score cards.
The way I always scored was; the first competitor got a score round about the middle of the range, then I could go up or down depending on the standard of the following kata. I found this to be the best way as I once saw a judge give a top score on the first kata, then had no where to go for the better kata that came after.

Now what I do is have two competitors come to the mat, first one comes on and does their kata, then the next and I give a red or white flag to the best kata (same as a decision in kumite), the winner goes through to the next round. So it's now a knockout competition. much easier and saves a lot of time, no scores to gather and add up etc.

[meguro]

Sometimes a friend on FB will post a kata performance they find outstanding. Sometimes the performer will be a revered old dude, and sometimes a shouty, grimacing robot. I don't get it at all. To me, it's like watching someone mime omelette making. Yeah maybe that guy can cook, but you'll never know until he actually puts some whipped eggs into a hot pan.

[GJEC]

We were talking about this this morning. If you have to say "This is how it's done in kata but THIS is how it's applied" it defies all logic.

In Enshin if a move feels right against a partner I want that same feel in the kata.

Effective always looks good.



Gary