Karate is a form of unarmed combat encompassing a variety of strikes, punches, kicks and knife-hands (or "chops"). Developed in the Okinawa region of Japan, karate became increasingly popular in America during the 1960s due to its presentation in movies and popular culture. Whether you are a dedicated "karateka" or a beginning practitioner, certain steps can help augment your martial arts practice while deepening your knowledge of karate.
Perfect Your Strikes
As an aspiring karateka your emphasis should be in establishing a familiarity with these basic fundamentals of punches, strikes and blocks involved in karate. Practice your strikes as you learn them, dedicating time in the evenings or mornings to perform repetitions of each attack until they become second nature during combat. Each strike you learn, from the downward knife-hand to the straight punch, involves an intricate combination of bodily mechanics to achieve the most strength and force. Practice punching a bag or an imaginary opponent while pivoting your hips at the exact time you thrust your attack, thereby increasing force and accuracy. Practice punching with the two largest knuckles of your pointer and middle fingers to prevent knuckle damage and ensure that your hand maintains a firm, even course during all knife-hand strikes.
Practice Kata
Literally meaning "model" or "shape," kata are formalized sequences of strikes, blocks and stances composed in a single group for individual training. As you learn kata from either a live instructor or video lessons, study the specific offensive and defensive movements involved in each step of the sequence and notice where the movements relate to real-life combat situations. Schedule time outside of your regular class to go through all of your kata while imagining an invisible opponent in front of your attacks and blocks. This is a particularly effective step in learning karate as it allows you to mentally prepare for moments during a fight for certain punches, strikes and blocks will be most appropriate. Pay attention to the small and minute aspects of kata as you practice to ensure that you are learning the sequence correctly and are coordinating each step correctly with all of your body.
Sparring Practice
A key ingredient to any martial artist's training, sparring practice helps you make tangible connections in live combat with the karate techniques you've learned. Find a sparring partner and designate areas of the body where no attacks will be allowed (the groin and head for starters) and engage in a friendly, controlled fight while wearing sparring shoes and gloves. Begin by practicing basic strikes on each other while deflecting them with basic blocks. Practice anticipating your opponent's blows and learning when assume an offensive or defensive role in the sparring practice. Once you both are comfortable with the rules you've established, engage in free-form sparring, blocking and striking as necessary as if it were a real fight, except that you are both controlling your blows to decrease force. Remain diligent in your karate training and you will gradually learn enough kata to advance your belt-grade.
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