Karate Basics (Kihon training)

The amount of times i have had people tell me that they think karate is a joke, is uncountable. When asked why, they say that it only involves marching up and down like robots, in long deep stances, with one hand always chambered at the hip, and the other performing a very unrealistic block or punch. What they have obviously witnessed is karate basic training or Kihon. Then the best part is when they say, "you cant use that in a real fight". What they fail to understand though, is that Kihon trainings sole intention is not to teach self defence techniques. I have been training Karate for a number of years and completely agree that if in a self defence situation, a lunge punch was executed while chambering the non punching arm at the hip and stepping forward into a long front stance, then the consequences would not feel good and you would probably find yourself eating a punch or two in the process. Kihon trainings main purpose is teach other fighting necessities such as, rotating the hips when striking, distance needed when attacking and defending, balance not just when kicking but also when striking and even grappling. Kihon training also helps condition the muscles used for self defence (which is nearly all of them) and when Kihon training with a partner, it will also help condition and harden the body when blocking and striking. Kihon means Basic, implying that you learn the basics of self defence when performing Kihon. The techniques are not specifically for self defence, but the techniques do lead to others which are used for self defence, so without a good solid grasp of Kihon techniques, you will never learn how to defend yourself properly. Kihon is a part of karate just like bag work, grappling, sparring and kata should be. Keep practising Kihon and you will notice that all other parts of your training shall improve.

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