VISION: The American Division

Many styles of martial arts contributed to the evolution of Sport Karate Creative and Extreme performances. Once known as the American and Open form divisions, the 1990s was the era where our individual styles not only embraced movement but captured moments that have defined our history. Post 1988 Olympics, ice skaters and gymnasts were perfecting triples. With the introduction of Tae Kwon Do at the Olympic Games, we were still executing the 360 and discovering the 540. Inverts, combinations, and 720s were merely a figment of imagination. We were a few revolutions behind. Literally!!!

STRATEGY: Designing the Choreography

Inspired by video games, comics, and animation, these visuals allowed our young artists to develop and standardize performances to mainstream culture. The opportunity was to shift our mindset from training marathon forms to sprinting sections. We redesigned the existing traditional patterns while creating unique choreography. Forms were reformatted from the "Classical" 90 second base to a "Contemporary" 60 seconds max. As we continued to explore, we began to understand and recognize that practicing the same form for self-mastery took the same level of effort to develop a plethora of sections. These sections began to take a life of its own and the forms created had individual character.

EXECUTION: Developing the Sections 

The Blueprint

• 4 sections are adopted from Chinese Wushu. (Timing/Quickness/Endurance)

• Hand sections and Stances are evolved from the beautiful lines of Japanese Karate. (Power/Posture)

• Dynamic kicking, acrokicking, and tricking pay homage to Tae Kwon Do and Capoeira. (Flexibility/Balance)

Personality, charisma, and foundational basics were the key attributes for our 1990s youth to have the opportunity to share their choreography on the national stage. Traditional I-patterns evolved to diagonals which ultimately standardized to our 4 sectional Sport Karate performances. Each section has a purpose and can be interchanged within the following 15 second intervals:

• Section 1: Explosive hand striking techniques with solid stances and ground kicks.

• Section 2: Dynamic acrokicking and tricking combination.

• Section 3: High flying invert and acrokicking.

• Section 4: Hybrid spinning hand striking techniques, ground kicks and finale acrokick/trick.

The individuality and integrity of all well known performances are the transitions. Transitions are the subtle movements of sticking, switching, and spinning that unifies each section into the overall performance.

METRICS: Progressing the Culture

During our forms training, we began to integrate the use of resistance bands, weight vests, ankle weights, and weightlifting. With these training tools to enhance our strength and conditioning during practice, the goal was to complete the following workout in 30 minutes:

1. Stance Lines for 2 minutes

2. Switching Drills for 2 minutes

3. Full Form: 1x within 1 minute

4. Full Form: "Move by Move" for 5 minutes

5. Section 1: 4x within 2 minutes

6. Section 2: 4x within 2 minutes

7. Section 3: 4x within 2 minutes

8. Section 4: 4x within 2 minutes

9. Section 1&2: 4x within 3 minutes

10. Section 2&3: 4x within 3 minutes

11. Section 3&4: 4x within 3 minutes

12. Full Form: 2x within 3 minutes

By 1995, X-Games was introduced. The Sport Karate performances and athletic standards were established. These 5 years were very instrumental and would carry our sport to the present. With this blueprint foundation, we now had the ability to take flight as the rise of Tricking and Team Sync performances would inspire our protégés.