The first time I experienced a “50 Kata Day” was when I was training with the OSU Shotokan Karate Club at The Ohio State University. I found the special training to be a fun challenge and it is now something I implement on an annual basis in both my personal training and when teaching.
Format
Complete the same kata 50 times within a time period of 2 hours. The majority of the repetitions of the kata should be focused on something different (breathing, speed, sequences, rhythm, direction, turns, spirit, etc.). Choose whatever kata you are currently working on but make sure you know all of the movements to the kata. If you have a kyu or dan test coming up, or are planning on competing in a tournament, this is a great way to prepare. Ideally, by the end of the 2 hours, you will have a deeper understanding of the kata you chose to perform than before you started the training.
I have outlined below a sample 50 Kata Day format that you can use for your own personal training or when teaching. In general, it helps to maintain a constant pace to the class and to have a list or diagram of each repetition to easily check off as the training progresses.
Feel free to modify as desired. Have fun!
50 Kata Day (sample training):
Note that all repetitions are by the count unless otherwise stated.
-
- Warm-up
- No count
- No count
- No count
- Slow
- Full speed, full power. +/- count
- Add a gykazuki after every technique
- Focus on initiating all movement with the center of the body
- Focus on executing sharp turns
- Focus on awareness of foot positioning and contact with the floor in every movement/technique
- Full speed, full power. +/- count
- Focus on principles of compression and expansion
- Perform the kata facing 90 degrees to the left of where you normally start
- Perform the kata facing 90 degrees to the right of where you normally start
- Perform the kata facing 180 degrees of where you normally start
- Full speed, full power. +/- count
- Focus on exaggerating stances and making them longer and deeper than normal
- One count, two techniques
- Perform the kata with eyes closed
- Perform a push-up after every technique
- Full speed without focusing too much on rigid form or generating power
- Focus on utilizing the hips in all of the techniques
- Perform the kata in sequences that naturally flow together, still by the count
- Utilize only one breath per sequence
- Full speed, full power. No count.
BREAK
- Perform the kata with eyes closed
- Add a maegeri after every technique
- Full speed, full power. +/- count.
- Full speed, full power. +/- count.
- Full speed, full power. +/- count.
- By the count
- Two techniques per count
- Kiai every technique
- Focus on inhaling during the execution of every technique (try it)
- Full speed, full power. +/- count.
- Perform a mirror version of the kata (left and right are switched; ex: Heian Shodan starts to the right)
- Mirror
- Mirror
- One sequence per count
- Full speed, full power. +/- count.
- Kiai every technique
- Kiai every sequence or as long as you can muster
- Perform the kata facing 45 degrees to the left of where you normally start
- Perform the kata facing 45 degrees to the right of where you normally start, and with eyes closed
- Full speed
- Add a maegeri + gykazuki after every technique
- By the count
- Full speed, full power. No count.
- Full speed, full power (100%). No count.
- Cool down