Selection of a Kata Team:

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The selection of a team should be done under following considerations:

Age, technical skill, karate maturity level but also motivational level and the commitment of every team member to sacrifice time and sweat. If three Karateka have come together, agreed to commit and go for the same goal, the focus can now be directed on the next step: the line up of the team.

Rarely all three team members are identical in height and skill level and therefore one should consider skill level first and second body height and proportions. The strongest and best skilled person is in the front.

Next consideration is body proportion. The person “sticking out” the most should be in the front – assuming the skill level is somehow comparable with the other two members.

The picture of one smaller (or taller) person in the front and two more or less similar people in the back creates a more symmetrical picture for our (and the judges) eyes.

To support the symmetrical optic even more, it is common to wear the same Gi brand and also have similar haircuts or hairstyles.

Team & Team Training:

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After deciding the line up and visual appearance, the team can focus on the important things – the training.

First agree on one way of walking in and learn to master it. One possible way would be that the whole team takes five steps forward and then the two people in the back take two steps backwards again. Another way is that the two people in the back take three steps forward while the front person takes five steps. Obviously, there are endless possibilities. Simply decide on one way and master it.

It is very important to the select the right Kata. The Kata chosen should only be a Kata that can be performed technically correct by all three team members. A Kata that is too advanced, will not be of any advantage, but may rather lead to point deduction. During training, do not only focus on your special Kata (Tokui Kata), but also consider practicing other Kata together to fine tune and improve your feeling to working and moving together. You will need more than one Kata to make it through the qualifying rounds.  You will also need to consider a different Kata for a Hikiwake (draw) decision.

Although everybody is exited to train the more advanced Kata, the team should focus on practicing the Kata needed for the qualifying rounds first. The best Tokui Kata is of no value if the team does not make it to the final round. Also remember that your team not only has to gain tournament experience but also earn its place with the judges. Therefore, the team should attempt to enter many tournaments before ever making it to the final rounds.

When being part of a team, it is of greatest importance that all members share the same level of commitment and are willing to sacrifice their time and put in the effort necessary. Every team member has to be honest with themselves because two other people depend on this decision. Nothing more is upsetting for the other two members than one unreliable team member who suddenly decides to disregard their commitment to their scheduled training time. Do not let your team members stand in the rain. A team always wins or loses together as a whole.

During regular class/training, I recommend that the team members always stand together. By doing so, the team can practice timing, moving and synchronicity. The feeling for the correct breathing rhythm of the team can also be trained by standing closer together.

I also recommend that the team practice the Bunkai of at least the Tokui Kata together. One reason is that some federations require a Bunkai demonstration with the Tokui Kata in the finals, but more importantly by practicing the Bunkai together every team member gets an idea and feeling for the application of every move in the Kata. The understanding of the application will show through in the techniques. The technique will reveal its meaning and will mature. The Kime, focus and endpoint will become clearer and the mental attitude during the demonstration will become sharper.

Coach & Coaching:

The instructor or coach should divide the Kata into sensible sequences and train those sequences step by step. This way the team can focus on the timing, execution and synchronicity of this sequence. After mastering the segmented sequences, the Kata can be put together again.

In the beginning, the coach should give the count for the Kata. It is best to use the slowest person as a benchmark to perform the Kata. Speed has to be adjusted to that person since this is the only way the Kata can be demonstrated in a synchronized manner. The coach should monitor and observe the team from different angles: front, side and back, since the judges will see the team from different points of view.

The next step is the demonstration of the Kata under stress. In this case stress means physical and mental stress.

Physical stress means pushing the team to its physical limits while mental stress is the demonstration under the eyes of additional spectators. This can be done in the dojo under the eyes of fellow Karateka but eventually parents could join as well. This way the team can also get used to commotion that a big crowd comes with it what will help the demonstration at the actually competition day.

Last but not least, the team captain can lead the team through commands during the walk in and the bowing. The actual demonstration has to be silent and should not be synchronized through breathing noise. Neither synchronicity nor Kime are created in the larynx therefore rather ridiculous to have three Karateka panting at each other. This should be avoided. However, enforced breathing can and may even have to be used to synchronize a rather “young” (new) team. Once the team is brought in and synchronized, the breathing has to be normalized again and the team members have to learn how to feel each other rather than hearing each other.

To develop this feeling, it will require years of practice.

To finish off this article, it is important that I mention that a team demonstration really means a team demonstration. Synchronicity, team spirit and performing as one unit, is what counts. There is no “I” in a team and even the strongest has to play in the team and has to show the team’s Kata rather his or her own Kata. The unity of the team is the most significant criteria of evaluation for the team and the judges as well.

Click here for examples of exercises that will help you to synchronize your Kata Team performance.​​