Adam Carter

I've been practicing traditional karate for a long time now, and my appreciation of it hasn't diminished. It's the foundation of what I teach today, although my understanding of certain training methods and their practical application has changed consider... See more

When we first begin learning karate, almost everything we're taught is given a name. We learn punches, blocks, kicks, and stances. Each has its own terminology, and those names help us organize what we're learning. We need a common language if we're going... See more

One of the most familiar movements in karate is the withdrawing hand. We see it in kihon, throughout kata, and in countless demonstrations. One hand moves forward while the other is pulled sharply back to the hip or floating ribs. Students are taught this... See more

A few days ago, someone left a comment on one of my articles asking, 'Be honest, how effective is kata in a fight?' It's a question I've heard many times over the years, and one that continues to surprise me, particularly when it comes from people who hav... See more

ears ago, when I still lived in the UK, I had a traditional strawmakiwarafixed in my garden. I used it almost every day, often striking it hundreds of times. I liked the simplicity of it. You hit it, and it tells you something. Themakiwaradoesn't care wha... See more