Judo and kata teaching: Can personal expression be addressed before formal expression?

Background. Randori (free practice combat exercise) and kata (formal codified practice exercise) are complementary in learning judo. Traditionally taught by imitation (relationship between sensei and senpai/kohai; SHU phase of the SHU-HA-RI method) and after randori, kata are often perceived as an obstacle for promotion to a higher rank Active teaching methods may help us in changing this perception. Aim. A personal expression or personal free practice of concepts of kata may precede formal expression or formal codified practice in learning kata. Methods. From 2011 to 2018, the personal expression based on the concepts of gonosen-no-kata (kata of counterattacks) was analyzed in 38 bachelor-level students at the University of Montpellier (France). Subjects mastered the nage-no-kata (mandatory for 1st dan black belt), but were not knowledgeable in the gonosen-no-kata (mandatory for 4th dan black belt). During 4 hours of class, they had to perform freely all or part of 4 series: 3 different counterattacks after 3 different attacks, 1 identical counterattack after 3 different attacks, 3 different counterattacks after 1 identical attack, and 3 free counterattacks after 3 free attacks.Results. Subjects performed 95 series containing 282 attacks/ counterattacks: 231 attacks and 47 counterattacks corresponded to those codified in the gonosen-no-kata, reflecting the students' insights. Techniques banned in competition by the International Judo Federation in 2011 were not used by the students. No significant differences were found between women and men in choices of defense used for dodging and sen-no-sen, and in techniques used for counter attacking. Men and women did, however, significantly differ in blocking attacks. Conclusions. - Active teaching methods for learning gonosen-no-kata are valuable and might be expanded; - Students are creative in choosing techniques; - Personal expression may precede formal expression in learning kata. There may be unexpected challenges for French judo technical staff in developing methods to include gonosen-no-kata in warm-up and techniques.