Naginata is a Japanese martial art in which a stick-like weapon is used to hit an opponent and score points.
There are two parts to a naginata competition: Kata, a non-combative display of technical skill, and Combat, a competition against another athlete.
In Combat, the athlete scores points by hitting the opponent with the curved end of the weapon on parts of the body, including the leg, stomach, wrist and throat. The athlete must call out the hit they are to make and complete it successfully to earn points. The opponent tries to block the hits and prevent the other combatant from scoring points, while trying to land hits to score their own points. Athletes compete according to their skill level, and wear coloured belts to signify their skill level, similar to karate.
In Combat, the athlete who scores the most points wins. In Kata, the athletes are reviewed and scored by judges; those with the highest points win.
Naginata – a long wood weapon with a sword-shaped end that is also made of wood
Helmet – worn to protect the head and neck from injury
Strikes – hits to the opponent that score points
Sne – a scoring hit to the leg
Doh – a scoring hit to the stomach
Kote – a scoring hit to the wrist
Ski – a scoring hit to the throat