Kumite (sparring) is form used to practice techniques of kata, under more realistic conditions, in which by prearrangement between participants, one applies offensive and the other defensive technique. There should be no corrupting influence on one’s kata from sparring practice. (Gichin Funakoshi).
Tsunami dojo uses three different kinds of kumite.
Kote kitae
This is very important part of every training. With your partner you exchange alternatively some basic attacking and blocking techniques. Most known drill is called “sanbon uke”. Goal of this kitae exercises is to learn how to contract your muscles during fight and also to learn where to receive attack. All this you achieve by practicing basic techniques.
Ipon kumite
Ipon kumite, also known as “yakusoku kumite”, means “start-stop sparing”. These are simple offense – defense prearranged sparing techniques. We use ipon kumite for beginners, so that they can practice basics of self-defense, before they decide to advance in karate more seriously. We use up to 12 ipon kumite techniques, which were all taken from various katas – fist punch, soto shuto, sagurite (hente), elbow, kick, knee, throw, elbow lock, head manipulation, strangulation, grabbing of testicles… This will help begginers to better understand advanced applications of kata. It is useless to practice advanced fighting techniques (kata), without basic knowledge of self-defense.
Renzoku kumite
Renzoku kumite – continuous sparing. When practicing kata it is very important to understand movements within it. If you don’t think about application, then your kata is dead – just a simple dance, not karate. Renzoku kumite practice is reserved for advanced practitioners. This exercise is used for practicing more advanced and hidden (kakushite) techniques of certain kata, like escaping techniques, throwing, joint-locking…
