Karate is not all the same, and not all clubs are equal

Karate clubs and what you will get out of them varies greatly.

Most clubs heavily prioritise traditional training methods like kata and kihon (basics). This emphasis stems from kata being the primary grading criterior in their style. While kata teaches self-mastery and movement principles, its abstract nature renders it unlikely to effectively prepare beginners or intermediates for self-defense scenarios.

Conversely, other clubs focus on competing in highly stylized points fighting tournaments. While beneficial for athleticism, reflexes, and tactical thinking, this approach lacks direct applicability to self-defence situations. Points fighting can be likened to fencing in battle—it’s a sport rather than practical self-defence training.

Unfortunately, the majority of clubs are overly committed to narrow “traditionalist” syllabuses. They dedicate considerable time to techniques that may not work in reality without significant modification. This inadvertently conditions students to perform techniques incorrectly. Moreover, focusing on abstract techniques and drills neglects key aspects of self-defence, such as defending against swinging punches, grappling, and ground fighting—skills essential for common self-defence scenarios.

Regrettably, it’s rare to find a karate club that incorporates self-defence scenarios into their grading syllabuses. Consequently, rather than prioritizing confidence-building self-defence skills, many clubs overlook or completely omit them. It’s frustrating that many clubs advertise “learn self-defence” when this isn’t their primary focus.

It’s no surprise that individuals who have experienced clubs like these often conclude that “karate doesn’t work.”