Amophie

Jason Stanley 

There’s a exercise I do with my junior students from time to time where I give them 15 minutes to make up a kata…

Basically they pair off and work together to create a short kata of 10-15 moves which they’ll come up and demonstrate in synchronized fashion for the rest of the class. The only guidlines I give them are these:

  • be creative, try to think of something unique yet practical
  • you may take sequences from other kata, so long as it doesn’t exceed 3 concurrent techniques
  • it must make sense application-wise (and I might ask them to demonstrate the bunkai after their performance)

So last year when I asked my class to do this simple exercise, for the most part the boys were horrible at it. They had a hard time getting it together, some completely freaked out about the idea they would be demonstrating for everyone else, and this paralyzed them taking action and creating something.

However, the girls on the other hand got to work. They talked, they practiced and they created. And when they came up to demonstrate they were fast, sharp and crisp.

I chuckled when the winning pair (Amanda and Sophie) announced their kata, while other kids in the class were confused.

Their kata’s name? 

Amophie…

Jason Stanley

Jason Stanley has been practicing karate for 37 years. He is a 5th dan in Shitoryu/Shukokai, and 3 x stick fighting world champion. Since 2002 Jason has provided karate tips, hints and information to help both students and teachers increase their karate knowledge, deepen their understanding and improve their karate skill sets. His materials, e-books and courses have sold in over 35 countries. If you haven't already done so, please subscribe to the KarateTeaching newsletter and receive free karate teaching tips delivered to your inbox. No spam. No BS. Just helpful info to improve your skills. 100% privacy.

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3 thoughts on “Amophie”

  1. Restita, Seattle Wushu Center

    Hahaha! I do this exercise as well, and I've found that most of the boys do fine at the prospect of performing in front of the class, and they always think up names for their forms like "black spike dragon" or "tiger roar". You know, nice masculine names. On the other hand, the girls tend to name their forms similar to your girls…like "The Natanakell concentration Kata". heh heh!

    Reply

  2. DeAngelis Martial Arts

    Really like this. I have to try this one out. Girls always seem to get kata faster than the boys. Great idea!

    Reply

  3. David Bohórquez

    I'm always supporting the idea of students creating kata because it encourages them to go beyond what they are taught in class. An excercise like this one helps them understand better the flow of the kata sequences and their applications.

    Thanks for this great excercise Jason.

    Reply

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