What counts as a mistake in a kata?
I · Intermediate · Judging · 3 of 3A foul in kata lowers the judges' marks without ending the performance. The list includes a minor loss of balance, an incorrect or incomplete movement, moving out of time, an incorrect kiai, a belt coming loose and time wasting. Theatrics such as stamping the feet or slapping the karategi are treated as very serious fouls.
How it works
- Announcing early: saying the kata's name before the bow.
- Balance: a minor loss of balance.
- Movement: performing a movement incorrectly or incompletely, such as a block not fully made or a punch off target.
- Timing: delivering a technique before the body has finished moving, or in a team, not moving in unison.
- Audible cues: from anyone, to guide the tempo.
- Theatrics: stamping the feet, slapping the chest, arms or karategi and inappropriate exhalation. Judged as seriously as a major loss of balance.
- Kiai: it must be short, concentrated and at the same moment as the technique.
- Belt: coming loose so that it slips off the hips.
- Time wasting: prolonged marching, excessive bowing, a long pause before starting or more than 35 seconds to begin.
- In bunkai: causing injury through lack of control, and feigning unconsciousness for more than two seconds.
The glossary has the kata faults and disqualification, the kiai, the belt, the kata criteria, the bunkai and the judges.
Tricky cases
Is a slight wobble a disqualification?
No. A minor loss of balance is a foul that lowers the marks. Disqualification follows a total loss of balance that needs a corrective step, or a fall.
An athlete shouts a long, drawn-out kiai. Is that a strong finish?
No. A kiai must be short and concentrated and come with the technique. An incorrect kiai is a foul.
An athlete slaps the sleeve on every punch. How is that treated?
As a very serious foul. If the theatrics are persistent and obvious, the athlete can be disqualified.
How many marks does each foul cost?
Not stated. The rules say the fouls must be considered and give no fixed deduction for any of them.
Why the rule exists
The list tells judges which errors must count, so that an athlete is marked down for the same thing by every judge. The line on theatrics is deliberate. Slapping the suit makes a technique sound sharper than it is, and the rules treat that as a fault of the same weight as nearly falling.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Minor loss of balance | Foul | WKF Kata 5.7 |
| Total loss of balance, or a fall | Disqualification | WKF Kata 5.8 |
| Theatrics | Very serious foul | WKF Kata 5.7 |
| Persistent, obvious theatrics | Disqualification | WKF Kata 5.8 |
| Belt loose on the hips | Foul | WKF Kata 5.7 |
| Belt falls off | Disqualification | WKF Kata 5.8 |
From the rule book
World Karate Federation, Kata Competition Rules (version 2026.0, valid from 1 January 2026), Articles 5.7 and 5.8. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the federation's Kata Competition Rules.