Are patterns (forms) useful in Martial Arts?
Many practitioners of other martial arts seem keen to question the usefulness of learning patterns (forms). Particularly those training in MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) and other purely combat based systems. The argument runs that learning patterns does not in any way aid fighting ability. There are two problems with this.
Firstly, Taekwondo is not just about fighting & self defense. It is a complete martial art in that the student is learning a wide range of skills that apply to situations in life other than combat situations. Mental discipline and physical fitness aid the Taekwondo student in most aspects of their lives. Learning patterns helps with mental discipline, gives the student a means to practice when alone and is of course the backbone of the grading syllabus. If Taekwondo were merely about combat ability a grading/belts system would not be needed. The senior students would be simply measured by their success in defeating other opponents.
Secondly, patterns, when executed correctly give the student the chance to practice techniques which are simply too dangerous to try out on a real opponent. The patterns teach us how to combine techniques effectively (block/counter attack). For techniques to become second nature and applicable in real situations, you need to have practiced them repetitively hundreds/thousands of times so that your brain can react instantly with the appropriate technique in a given situation. Taekwondo Poomse's are designed to simulate complex situations in which the student has to deal with multiple assailants coming at him from all directions - something that without doubt can be carried over into real defensive situations.
Firstly, Taekwondo is not just about fighting & self defense. It is a complete martial art in that the student is learning a wide range of skills that apply to situations in life other than combat situations. Mental discipline and physical fitness aid the Taekwondo student in most aspects of their lives. Learning patterns helps with mental discipline, gives the student a means to practice when alone and is of course the backbone of the grading syllabus. If Taekwondo were merely about combat ability a grading/belts system would not be needed. The senior students would be simply measured by their success in defeating other opponents.
Secondly, patterns, when executed correctly give the student the chance to practice techniques which are simply too dangerous to try out on a real opponent. The patterns teach us how to combine techniques effectively (block/counter attack). For techniques to become second nature and applicable in real situations, you need to have practiced them repetitively hundreds/thousands of times so that your brain can react instantly with the appropriate technique in a given situation. Taekwondo Poomse's are designed to simulate complex situations in which the student has to deal with multiple assailants coming at him from all directions - something that without doubt can be carried over into real defensive situations.
Labels: forms, martial arts, patterns
posted by Tomcat's Taekwondo at
6:13 AM
4 Comments:
I study karate and i think that patterns (kata) are the heart of karate. Each kata is a way of fighting in themselves, and each kata is enough a student needs to know. The problem is that each techniques is cleverly hidden and finding applications and variations are very hard indeed. Its takes years to be able to do this and lots of concentration when performing kata. And then once the application has been found it then has to be drilled in sparring situations so it becomes second nature. Kata should never be ignored.
Marks
Hi Marks - yes, that's one of the problems with patterns as I see it. Some people think you can learn them by yourself from a book, a DVD or a website like mine. That's simply not likely to work - you really need an instructor who properly understands each move and what it does to really get them right. Thanks for visiting - hope your training is going well!
Andy
Why are people so obsessed with forms? Unlike other ways of training martial arts, katas are very easy to make mistakes on. If someone accidently does a down-block to the wrong direction, they don't pass! All it is is a way to use blatant memorization to test. Can one judge whether a technique is used in an efficient and powerful manner? Forms are just ways for the deceiving master to extract money. As Bruce Lee says, one must be able to flow like water, able to adapt to any fighting situation. As for belts, their only use is to hold your pants up! Forget about forms and learn martial arts! (p.s the stances make no sense either)
I'm not going to disagree entirely - there's plenty of evidence that there a lot of "bad" schools and clubs that abuse the grading system for purely commercial reasons. But on the other hand, there are also a great number of really good clubs and schools that put emphasis on the grading system, of which patterns are integral. One of my instructors (a 4th Dan and also a great personal friend) once told me that plenty of clubs seem to put patterns as the be all and end all with the result that students could achieve a black belt purely on the strength of them. That doesn't happen at my club - my chief instructor takes an interest in the whole aspect of each students training - tournament success, participation in demonstrations and so on. He wants to see a broader commitment to Taekwondo than simply turning up for lessons and learning patterns.
I would say that yes, if the examiner knows what he/she is looking for (and I sincerely hope they do!), the effectiveness of techniques shown in patterns can be determined.
Bruce also famously said that bricks "don't hit back". Now he was a great man, but I'm definately not following that train of thought - destruction isn't simply about breaking a brick. It's about confidence in your technique. Sorry - went off topic there ;)
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