Today, the word “Karate” is thrown around so loosely that it barely means anything anymore. For some, it means kids in white uniforms yelling while earning participation trophies. Others picture choreographed movie fights with exaggerated movements. A few still see it as an effective self-defense system, and luckily, more people are now seeking the real use of Karate.
Social media hasn’t helped. Flashy, useless techniques get posted. People hug after a few light taps and call it “Karate”. Then there are the “McDojos” handing out black belts to anyone who pays.
How Karate Lost Its Way
One of the biggest problems is sportification. Many modern Karate schools focus almost entirely on point fighting, where competitors tap each other for quick scores. While this might improve speed and timing, it creates bad habits. In real self-defense, an opponent won’t stop after getting touched. There’s no referee to reset the fight.
At the same time, sport Karate helped spread the art worldwide. But that came at a cost.
Another issue is the removal of essential techniques. Traditional Karate includes strikes, throws, joint locks, and pressure point attacks. Many modern schools have stripped these away, leaving students unprepared for real combat. The result? A version of Karate that looks impressive but lacks substance.
Restoring Karate’s Purpose
Karate is not the problem; the way it is practiced and presented is. If Karate is to regain its true meaning, practitioners must:
- Train for effectiveness – Focus on applied techniques that work under pressure.
- Reject watered-down training – Avoid dojos that prioritize belts over skill.
- Embrace the old ways – Study real combat applications.
- Demand realism – Stop supporting showy, ineffective techniques that mislead students.
- Seek true teachers – Learn from those who understand Karate’s origins and purpose.
Karate was never meant to be a game. It was designed for survival. It’s time to bring back its true spirit. It’s time to train like lives depend on it, because sometimes, it does.
Cheers, Gert
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Great article!
Thanks 😀