Kumite means “meeting of hands.” In karate, the term is translated as “sparring.” Sparring is any form of combat training with a partner. Kumite is the only facet of karate that requires a partner to practice with. Beginner and intermediate students usually train yakusoku-kumite, or “sparring with announcement.” In this type of kumite, the attacker announces what the attack and target will be. The defender must then block or evade the attack and launch an effective counter-attack. Contact is generally not permitted in yakusoku-kumite, at least not for beginners. Contact on the counter-attack is never allowed. The idea is to make contact with the other’s gi, or uniform, not the actual body. Advanced karateka practice jiyu-kumite, or “freestyle sparring.” In this type of sparring, attacks and combinations are thrown at will by both partners, without announcement. In this type of sparring, good control is of utmost importance. The following are the traditional methods of Shotokan.
“Basic five-step sparring” is typically practiced by beginners. The attacker steps forward with jodan-oi-zuki five times in succession. The defender must step backwards five times using the appropriate block, usually jodan-age-uke, followed by a counter-attack, usually chudan-gyaku-zuki. The defender then takes on the role of attacker, stepping forward five times with jodan-oi-zuki. The sequence is then repeated with chudan-oi-zuki as the attack and chudan-soto-uke as the defense. All stances, attacks, and blocks are performed in basic style, i.e. no free-style techniques are allowed. Five-step sparring is very useful in developing proper punching and blocking technique. However, its main purpose is to teach the karateka how to maintain proper distance from the opponent, while moving forwards and backwards.
“Basic three-step sparring” is almost exactly the same as five-step sparring except that the number of steps has been reduced to three. Three-step sparring takes up less time and space than five-step and is generally considered as more efficient. It still teaches basic punching and blocking technique, and it trains the student to maintain proper distance while moving.
“Basic one-step sparring” is normally taught at the beginner and intermediate levels. In this form of kumite, the attacker may use only one attack with one step. Many different attack forms can be used, such as various strikes and kicks, but only one at a time. After each single attack, both opponents must restart. One-step sparring is very useful in teaching the student how to counter-attack quickly, preventing the opponent from launching a second attack. It is at this stage of kumite where the defender learns tai sabaki, or “body shifting.” This occurs when the karateka shifts off the axis of attack (i.e. moves out of the way), making the block almost superfluous, and then delivers a counter-attack. As in all kihon-kumite sets, the defender starts in a natural stance and basic technique is maintained throughout by both participants. Ippon-kumite has many variations, such as gaeshi-ippon-kumite (returning one-step sparring), whereby the attacker receiving the counter-attack must block it and counter as well. In okuri-ippon-kumite (sliding sparring), the attacker throws two attacks instead of only one and both must be defended against
“Freestyle one-step sparring” (also known as “semi-free sparring”) is very similar to basic-one step sparring, except that in jiyu-ippon, both participants start in jiyu-kamae (freestyle position). After each attack and counter-attack is made, the participants return to jiyu-kamae position. Sometimes, more than one counter-attack is executed. Jiyu-ippon is usually taught to intermediate and advanced karateka. Although moving a little closer to actual free-sparring, this is still a form of yakusoku-kumite (announcement sparring). Jiyu-ippon is taught to students in an effort to bridge the gap between basic yakusoku-kumite and jiyu-kumite (free-sparring).
“Free-sparring” is not part of the yakusoku set of kumite. Simply put, free sparring is practice fighting. Participants begin in freestyle position and fight each other using full speed attacks and defenses. Only the lightest contact is permitted, therefore a high level of skill is necessary. That being said, free-sparring is generally reserved for advanced belts only. Free-sparring provides an excellent opportunity to test one’s skills against another individual with complete freedom of movement. Through jiyu-kumite practice, one prepares for shiai-kumite.
“Applications sparring” can be practiced yakusoku style or freestyle. It consists of using movements of the kata to defend and counter-attack. Each movement in a kata has a self-defense meaning or application, called bunkai or oyo. More specifically, bunkai means to “analyze” the movements to find combat ideas. Oyo means to “apply” those ideas using different variations. Applications range from simple punching and striking counter-attacks to more complex joint locks, throws, and even chokes. Each movement of a kata may have several different meanings or applications. Oyo-kumite is very difficult and can only be practiced by fairly advanced students possessing a more profound understanding of kata.
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