Notational analysis of scoring techniques in competitive men’s karate

The aim of this study was to determine frequencies of scoring techniques executed during a series of karate fights and whether there was a difference between the techniques used by winners and losers. A hand notation system aided by video analysis was designed in order to record the frequencies. The data collected provided information on the most predominant scoring technique(s) executed and highlighted differences in scoring techniques between winners and losers. There were a total number of 67 scores in the 17 fights analysed. The results indicate that there is significantly predominant scoring technique(s) which separates winners from losers. The most frequently scored technique for all the fighters was Gyaku-zuki to the body (GyB), 43.28% of all scores registered were through execution of this technique and was the only technique to have a significant frequency (p-value 0.12). Some techniques were not scored during the analysis and suggests that there are problems with the execution of these techniques either in that they are too slow and easily blocked or that they are difficult to control and result in contact penalties. The results indicate that higher grades perform more difficult techniques with Wado Ryu as the most successful style.