I would like to see that argument. A good place to start would be some sort of demonstration of traditional movements used in forms being used live.
This is from an older post of mine, but I thought you might appreciate it.
Kata trains the body, and the brain, the physical movements and non-movements (of those that would be used within a fight) at a deep neurological level.
Done long enough the brain develops serious neurological pathways that significantly speed up complex movements.
For an example please watch:
The young boy started performing his cup stacking kata called āThe Cycleā (as in the cup stacking cycle), and in the beginning it took him between 120 to 150 seconds perform the task. (2 to 2 & 1/2 minutes)
After a number of years (and in about 3600 total hours), his practice of the routine had reduced the time down to 5 seconds.
Even blind folded.
This an efficiency gain (percentage rounded to 2 decimal places).
95.83% reduction of his best starting times by shaving off 115 seconds.
And
96.67% reduction of his worst starting times by shaving off 145 seconds.
There is some other amazing gems about the brain in Dr David Eagleman's series on the human brain.
Stuff martial arts should know and inform their training methods.
Practicing the repeated kata allowed him to shave an incredible amount of time off the performance of complex body movement.
And also move it from conscious effort to unconscious effort.
Which has enormous value in a martial art setting. Especially if you hardwire defensive or offensive actions into oneās involuntary response.
Your body will react to the threat before your conscious mind will have time to consider options.
Now having said all that.... I will continue.
kata in the role of balence.
I have had the pleasure of training a handful of individuals, who had horrible balance. At least when they started.
week one.. after five classes (on friday) we light free sparred. The kicks they threw were off balance and i usually toppled them over with low blocks and leg picks.
they were started on kata from day one
class was warmups for 15 minutes, kata for 30, and makiwara or heavy bag for the remaining 15 minutes.
week three: they were able to hold their balance when kicking better. It was obvious that their supporting legs became stronger and they could fire kicks off faster. I still toppled them over. but not as often.
week nine: they weren't gassed out so fast, their kick speed dramatically increased and it was becoming harder to topple them. with just low blocks and leg picks. a well placed sidekick to the hips was one of the few ways i could knock em over.
week twelve: their blocking speed increased to the degree that they were able to start intercepting my kicks. low blocks and leg picks were now ineffective. started sweeps. ashibarrai. since it was in some of the katas... they understood subconsciously, that i was trying to sweep their lead foot.
After the first attempt which usually was successful.
My repeated attempts was met with weight transfer back to the rear leg and very quick arm bridging.
This was very improved balance.
after a year... all of these individuals had good to great balance. Especially since they started with almost none to speak of. I wasn't doing partner drills, just kata with these people. As an experiment.
