The first time I experienced a “50 Kata Day” was when I was training with the OSU Shotokan Karate Club at The Ohio State University. I found the special training to be a fun challenge and it is now something I implement on an annual basis in both my personal training and when teaching.

Format

Complete the same kata 50 times within a time period of 2 hours. The majority of the repetitions of the kata should be focused on something different (breathing, speed, sequences, rhythm, direction, turns, spirit, etc.). Choose whatever kata you are currently working on but make sure you know all of the movements to the kata. If you have a kyu or dan test coming up, or are planning on competing in a tournament, this is a great way to prepare. Ideally, by the end of the 2 hours, you will have a deeper understanding of the kata you chose to perform than before you started the training.

I have outlined below a sample 50 Kata Day format that you can use for your own personal training or when teaching. In general, it helps to maintain a constant pace to the class and to have a list or diagram of each repetition to easily check off as the training progresses.

Feel free to modify as desired. Have fun!

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50 Kata Day (sample training):

Note that all repetitions are by the count unless otherwise stated.

1. 1. Warm-up
   2. No count
   3. No count
   4. No count
   5. Slow
   6. Full speed, full power. +/- count
   7. Add a gykazuki after every technique
   8. Focus on initiating all movement with the center of the body
   9. Focus on executing sharp turns
   10. Focus on awareness of foot positioning and contact with the floor in every movement/technique
   11. Full speed, full power. +/- count
   12. Focus on principles of compression and expansion
   13. Perform the kata facing 90 degrees to the left of where you normally start
   14. Perform the kata facing 90 degrees to the right of where you normally start
   15. Perform the kata facing 180 degrees of where you normally start
   16. Full speed, full power. +/- count
   17. Focus on exaggerating stances and making them longer and deeper than normal
   18. One count, two techniques
   19. Perform the kata with eyes closed
   20. Perform a push-up after every technique
   21. Full speed without focusing too much on rigid form or generating power
   22. Focus on utilizing the hips in all of the techniques
   23. Perform the kata in sequences that naturally flow together, still by the count
   24. Utilize only one breath per sequence
   25. Full speed, full power. No count.
       

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       BREAK

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   26. Perform the kata with eyes closed
   27. Add a maegeri after every technique
   28. Full speed, full power. +/- count.
   29. Full speed, full power. +/- count.
   30. Full speed, full power. +/- count.
   31. By the count
   32. Two techniques per count
   33. Kiai every technique
   34. Focus on inhaling during the execution of every technique (try it)
   35. Full speed, full power. +/- count.
   36. Perform a mirror version of the kata (left and right are switched; ex: Heian Shodan starts to the right)
   37. Mirror
   38. Mirror
   39. One sequence per count
   40. Full speed, full power. +/- count.
   41. Kiai every technique
   42. Kiai every sequence or as long as you can muster
   43. Perform the kata facing 45 degrees to the left of where you normally start
   44. Perform the kata facing 45 degrees to the right of where you normally start, and with eyes closed
   45. Full speed
   46. Add a maegeri + gykazuki after every technique
   47. By the count
   48. Full speed, full power. No count.
   49. Full speed, full power (100%). No count.
   50. Cool down