Kihon (Basics)
These are the core for good Shotokan Karate. Basics are made up of punches, blocks and kicks and are often used in simple combinations for lower belts and more complicated combinations for the higher belts.
Although Shotokan Karate is repetitive, it continues to challenge the mind and body when rising through the ranks.
Speed, sharpness and strength are tuned in the basic techniques and you learn to use your whole body to deliver a punch or block an attack.
Training also develops control. Even when an attack is delivered with a fully committed punch or kick, it must stop short of the target, demonstrating control.