Kihon, Kata and Kumite has been described by many as the foundation of Martial Arts. So many don’t understand and want to just learn a few moves, versus taking the time required to learn about self. Of course to be effective at self-defense doesn’t require one to know Martial Arts. And those who only practice the “Art” of Martial Arts have effective self-defense. Those who truly learn about self become most effective with self-defense because they know what they are defending. This is my two cents…
We will begin with definitions of the three words most often associated with Traditional Martial Arts. Kihon – The basics. Every fighting or self-defense technique can be broken down into basic components to the smallest movement. These small movements can be compared to the letters of the alphabet. Every word is made up of letters. These letters are combined to form words. This brings us to Kata.
Kata is a form or combination of movements which are memorized and repeated to help practice Kihon (basic movements). Some kata are very simple, such as a block-punch combination. Some are very elaborate as performed by black belt practitioners. (link to short video) As Kihon (letters) are put together to get Kata (words), the sentences created allow one to develop movements and practice them over and over again until there is no thought to perform them effectively. These sentences are put together creating “books” or “songs”. There are as many books, songs and languages in the world as there are people and cultures. (Checkout this thought: Is Martial Arts Language?) These come together to allow one to fight. This brings us to Kumite.
Kumite, simply put, is fighting. So many want to just skip to this part. “Just teach me a few moves so I can fight”. 
The skilled fighter is a marvel of time and effort put into developing techniques to be displayed so effortlessly. So much work went into this effortless display. Many only see the finished product; Not the hours upon hours of work with the basic movements, put together in a series, and repeated over and over again. Watching a novice face a skilled practitioner in any discipline one can’t help but to think “they don’t stand a chance”.
Why bother with Kihon, Kata and Kumite?
Why not just go to the weight room or gym and become as strong and fit as possible? Lifting weights is not the same (same motion) as blocking or hitting someone. Imagine the weight lifter or aerobics guru who also practice’s Martial Arts… Not only are they strong and/or have endurance, they can apply this strength efficiently to techniques.
Why not just get a weapon? If you don’t practice using the weapon, you become a danger to yourself and those you may try to protect. Imagine the person who uses a weapon who also practices Martial Arts. This person has spent many hours learning how to breathe and/or steady themselves to use the weapon. Their mind, the most valuable piece, has been steadied through the time spent learning Kihon and developing the ability to break technique down into the simplest parts to practice.
Kihon, Kata and Kumite is to be used together. There is so much more to say about each. No one part serves the person well without the other. To be a great fighter, one needs to know the basics and practice them over and over again. Practicing the basics without understanding how to use them in a fight is also useless. Practiced application of technique defines what a Martial Artist is.