Observational Analysis of the Technical-Tactical Performance of Elite Karate Contestants

Abstract

This observational methodology study had two objectives. The first was to show how a purposedesigned observation instrument can be used to analyze technical and tactical aspects of a karate match by identifying behavioral patterns in a systematically compiled dataset containing coded records of, by order of inclusion, bouts, sequences, guards, and technical actions/moves, with linking of the technique executed to the supporting guard and arm or leg used. The second objective was to add to the existing knowledge of the techniques and tactics used by karate practitioners in elite competitions by comparing the probability of occurrence of different actions in SPSS and searching for hidden time patterns (T-patterns) using the Theme software package. Our results show that elite karate contestants are more likely to use a) punches rather than kicks (Odd = 2.026, 95% CI = 1.619-2.538), b) upper-level punches rather than middle-level punches (Odd = 1.7284, 95% CI = 11.316-2.270), c) roundhouse kicks rather than off-balancing kicks (Odd = 2.160, 95% CI = 1.350-3.455), and d) left punches or kicks from a right guard rather than right punches or kicks from a right guard (Odd = 1.744, 95% CI = 1.303-2.286). Finally, we observed that upper-level punches were more likely to be effective (in terms of scoring) than middle-level punches (Odd = 3.167, 95% CI = 1.303-7.698). The results derived from our ad hoc observation instrument and analyses identified successful karate moves that can be used as a reference for designing technical-tactical models for elite karate practitioners.