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Basics, basics, basics! We’ve all heard that mantra, haven’t we? Often, senior karateka and their students will stress the importance of a solid foundation upon which to build effective karate techniques… Whilst I acknowledge that basics, or kihon, are important, I also believe that we need to be objective and think for ourselves rather than reciting what has been preached to us over the years ad nauseum. I would argue that kihon training has its benefits while at the same time is limited as a training tool… I would also add that endless repetition of ‘traditional’ kihon can lead to bad habits. That’s the problem with a “form over function” approach to karate. Good kihon is a tool, not a goal.