How to Choose the Right Kata (Form) for Your Next Martial Arts Tournament

I began competing in martial arts competitions when I was 14 years old. Little did I know the preparation that was required in order to be among the best of the best. In my first few years, my win record for open hand kata was dismal. However, over time. I began to notice a trend in the characteristics of katas that were taking home the trophies. As I began selecting katas that matched these characteristics, I noticed that I was placing in more and more competitions. Here are some things to consider before selecting a form for your next martial arts competition.

Intensity

Sure, the martial arts are full of graceful, beautiful forms and techniques. However, softer katas are less likely to have the "wow factor" that is necessary to win in competitions. Remember that katas are routines designed to simulate a real fight situation. Be sure to select a form that captures the intensity of a real combat situation.

Speed

Speed is an important factor when selecting a form for a martial arts competition. If a kata is too slow, the judges will likely become bored watching. If it is too fast, you appear sloppy or that you are rushing to finish. Instead, select a kata that has a good combination of slow and fast techniques. This will keep the kata from looking monotonous and robotic.

Body Type

Try to select a kata that matches your body type. If you are tall and have long legs, select a kata that incorporates several high kicks. Shorter competitors will want to stick with forms that focus more on strong hand strikes and deep stances.

Length

You should also be conscious of the length of your kata. If your routine is too short, you wont have enough time to showcase your skills to the judges. If if is too long, you will likely loose their attention. Personally, I feel that a tournament kata should be somewhere between one and two minutes in length.

Starting Point

Most katas are designed to end in the same spot that they started. However, this is not the case for all forms. Be careful not to select a kata that has a different ending point. From a judging standpoint, a competitor that finishes in a different position looks unprofessional and careless.