How Many Forms and Techniques Does it Take to Master Karate?

When I first started the martial arts, a branch ofyear to master karate.
Chinese American Kung Fu Kenpo Karate, I wasHere are a few problems with this formula.
told it would take three lifetimes to masterMost people do not practice five hours a week.
Karate. Over time I realized that this was just aMost systems are not logically arranged, which
variety of ignorance, and even racism, but I didincreases the time, sometimes considerably.
start to wonder how long it would take. I've beenMost systems are not logically taught, which,
practicing for over forty years now, and I think Iagain, increases the time, sometimes considerably.
have an answer. Sort of.Most systems have been compromised, mixed
The common sense I have encountered, over thewith other systems, or otherwise tainted, which
years, is that it takes a 1000 repetitions to learn aincreases time considerably.
form, and 10,000 repetitions to master. ThisThis doesn't include, as I stated before, times
would include, of course, practical applications,needed for applications, freestyle, various drills,
appropriate types of freestyle, assorted drills, andand so on.
so on.Now, you can probably use the data I have given
Taking just the karate forms, you can increaseyou here to find the times to master Tae Kwon
the numbers I am about to tell you according toDo, or master kung fu, but you will have to work
your individual method of training, we can comeit a bit.
up with some interesting times to mastery.The point here, however, is that the numbers I
If you have 15 forms to Mastery, which is closehave given you seem appropriate to my own
to the number of forms in such arts as Wadopassage through the martial arts.
ryu karate, goju ryu karate, and so on, then youAnd, I give you this data to encourage people to
need to do 15,000 repetitions.take the long view, and to dedicate themselves,
15,000 forms = 15,000 minutes = 250 hoursand to become more streamlined and efficient in
If you practice five hours a week, it will take atheir pursuit of the arts.