Making up weapon forms?

**Sapphire** · 10-07-2005, 18:24

Is making your own weapon form for a forms competition a big no no or can it be done?

**AndrewSimonsen** · 10-07-2005, 18:31

Why would you want to, there are plenty of legit forms out their.

**Sapphire** · 10-07-2005, 18:35

true, but in the town i live in there are only two martial art schools, none of which teach actual weapon forms. They know the actual techniques, but that's the depth of it. I'm just wondering wether or not a made up weapon form would be legit in a mixed martial art weapon form competition as long as the stances, techniques, and postures were correct?

**jjaje** · 10-07-2005, 19:57

Aaron,

This can become an item of considerable emotional controversy. Many people think strongly for it and many strongly against it.

You need to ask yourself the following:

(1) Does one have enough of an understanding of non-weapon forms to be able to make a kata up?

Can you visualize different attacks from different angles, counter them and make it all flow together?

(2) Does one understand how to use the particular weapon to be able to make a kata?

I have been to tournaments where weapon forms looked awful. Once I saw a kata where a person sets them on the floor, does some punching and kicking, then picks the kama back up (like you'd ever willingly drop your weapon and advantage). I've also seen open hand kata turned into weapons forms, in particular I saw what was clearly the moves from a basic open hand korean karate form turned into a bo form. Unfortunately it did not make use of any of the bo advantages (like reach for one) and thus was a bad bo form.

(3) What is the motive for doing so? Simply fun, competition or for starting your own style.

In my humble opinion, a kata is simply a set of techniques, blocks and strikes used in combinations. One should always make up new combinations and practice them, that is a part of learning and practicing. I don't personally think there is any mysticism to "old" versus "new" kata.

However if you wish to make up a kata to start your own "joe's karate system of ultra lethal techniques" then I would say your motive is wrong.

So to answer your question:
It depends on the tournament - some closed tournaments will expect kata that are only from their system. Open tournaments usually allow any kata. Most open tournaments will allow you to do whatever kata you wish. However you will no be able to trick experienced judges. remember:

Are you using the advantage of the weapon (reach for a bo and so forth)?
Does the kata flow logically from one move to another?
Are stances and footwork incorporated into the kata?
Do the moves in the kata appear realistic or overly flashy?
Could the particular technique be used in a real fight situation?