Most of our katas are pretty short. No problem teaching them the kata in 3 months. Teach, and train the techniques in the kata in 3 months time? Absolutely.

The kata is only to remember them after the classes are over. It's up to the individual to continue training after that.

It depends on their level of experience. However, if I had to teach a student brand new to martial arts I would teach them Fukyugata Ni. Now by teach the kata I mean the first two months would be exclusively dedicated to learning the basic techniques in the kata and applying them against committed attacks. Using the striking techniques against kick shields and focus mitts. And seperating the grappling techs (pretty much all standing in this one) to teach the student how to obtain a dominant position. The last month would combine the previous training and add developing fluid motion, speed, overall balanced conditioning and intent through kata performance. Since more advanced power generation would be out of the question a strictly power/strength based approach would be used aimed at very general vital regions such as groin, nose, jaw, outside/inside of thighs, and the gut. It has much of the self defense techs you'll ever need such as a variety of very simple striking techniques and basic stances such as walking, horse, and front stance. No complex shuto chudan/gendan uke (most advanced of intermediate techs). It has a variety of basic blocking and covering techniques. It also contains grappling entrance techniques to provide a vehicle for application of grappling/wrestling skill and many joint locking techniques found in more advanced kata.

From a Shorin-ryu perspective, I would have to agree with Mr. Perez. Naihanchin Shodan has many applicable self-defense techniques. I don't know Sanchin and it's true, it's not practiced in my style, so I can't really comment on that. An alternative would be Passai Sho, which also teaches joint locks, throws and ground-fighting techniques, as well as an emphasis on tai-sabaki. IMHO.

If the goal was a 3 month competency program I'd simply teach stick and several of its open hand uses for the general movement too.

I've been training people for too long and don't see karate having much value in 3 months. The role of kata is a long term study as it was meant to be.

Just my opinion.

Bah, you guys over analyze everything lol. I think we all realize how little can be acheived in a 3 months period.

Anyway, given the way he phrased it:

Quote:

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but you had to derive your teachings from a singe karate kata

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I assume that teaching a few applications is exactly what Shonuff was talking about, he's just wanting to know which kata those would come from, in our eyes.

Zach,

In my group the Bando Short Stick form is part of our studies, and the stick techniques I would teach come from it.

Have to be honest in the short term the minute I put a stick in a beginners hand they can hit 10 times harder, etc.

The stick techniques are also an empty hand art which I teach too. It likewise is a art that can use anything I place in my hands with the same techniques.

Using a natural weapon there is a tremendous amount that can be covered in 3 months, whereas the empty hand arts are not in the same time frame.

If I was restricted to 3 months and empty hand, I'd just pick 3 or 4 techniques and show how you can work into any attack in existence with them, and of course pray if that student had to try same.