DEFINITION OF THE WORD KUMITE: Combat
Kumite is a training method that puts into practice the attack and defence techniques learnt in the katas, where opponents battle with each other face-to-face.
Kumite training is for acquiring skills that cannot be practised in katas or during individual training, e.g. timing, distance, anticipating the opponent's attacks, reacting to them and developing a fighting spirit.
POSITIVE ASPECTS OF KUMITE
It is used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the attack and defence techniques.
Kumite training develops mental and physical qualities and channels aggressiveness.
NEGATIVE ASPECTS OF KUMITE
Working in an inappropriate way, based exclusively on kumite, only one part of karate is developed and many other aspects, such as technique, mental work and respect for others, are lost.
THE IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF KUMITE TRAINING ARE AS FOLLOWS:
Distance, anticipation, defence, speed, control, reaction and attack.
THERE ARE MANY FORMS OF KUMITE TRAINING
In kumite training, each student should initially practice in accordance with his/her own level. Therefore, it is necessary to have a clear understanding of the various characteristics of the different types of kumite and practice them with clear objectives in mind.
1-TANREN KUMITE (conditioning for combat)
2-KIHON KUMITE (prepared basic combat)
3-YAKUSOKU KUMITE (preestablished combat)
4-BUNKAI KUMITE (applications of katas)
5-JIYU KUMITE (free combat)
1-TANREN KUMITE (conditioning for combat)
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This training develops powerful attack and defence techniques. It helps develop mental and physical stamina, as well as muscles as hard as steel.
TYPES OF TANREN KUMITE:
- San Dan Uke Harai/San Dan Gi
- Kakie (Koki) (development of muscle strength and stamina)
- Ude Tanren (hardening of the arms)
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2-KIHON KUMITE (prepared basic combat)
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This is the way of training combat aspects that cannot be acquired through kata training, such as tempo and distance. Through the repetitive practice of this exercise, a condition known as Muishi Ki is attained. Literally, Muishi Ki means without conscious intention. In other words, by concentrating firmly on their technique and movements, after a certain period of hard practice, students reach a level where they react to the circumstance without realising, but harmonise their movements and intention automatically. The condition of Muishi Ki can be attained only through hard work.
TYPES OF KIHON KUMITE:
- Kihon ippon kumite (in pairs, one opposite the other, the opponent performs alternate tsuki attacks at one single preset level. The person defending performs the corresponding block at the same level). The objective of this form of training is to practise the correct form, power and precision.
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3-YAKUSOKU KUMITE (preestablished combat)
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TYPES OF YAKUSOKU KUMITE:
- Kakie (koki) – with technical applications
- Ippon kumite (with one single attack, defence and counter-attack movement). After the greeting and the kamae, the activity begins with the specified technique and at the specified level. The defence and counter-attack can be set beforehand (or not). The objective of this form of training is to practise precision, speed, power and correct form.
- Nihon kumite: This form of training is based on two consecutive attacks which are stopped or avoided and then followed by a counter-attack. The continuity of the movements and their combination is more important than the power, where particular care must be taken with the movements of the feet and tai sabaki (evasions).
- Sambon kumite: This is the repetition of three attacks and three defences, ending with a final counter-attack. The initial objective of this kumite is to become an expert in the fundamental attack and defence techniques, which means repeating and constantly polishing fist and leg attacks, defence techniques and fundamental positions until they are performed with maximum precision and knowing how to move your feet. The more advanced students must also acquire great mastery in movement, fluency and speed.
- Renzoku kumite: This is for reaching greater progress in training and technical control. The techniques should be as varied as possible, which improves psychomotor coordination. Owing to its very dynamism, the technical precision of the kihon is lost to a certain extent, but there is an increase in freedom and spontaneity and the formation of one whole unit join together under the aim of putting the opponent at a disadvantage or enabling the more powerful and effective use of the technique itself.
- Yakusoku kumite: This means preestablished combat and can be used to demonstrate a wide range of techniques. In this form of kumite, the attack and defence movements are preestablished. The person defending uses defence and counter-attack techniques, applying techniques for throwing the opponent to the floor (Nage Waza), attacks against joints (Kansetzu waza) or simultaneous attacks, depending on the techniques that are being practised. Students should practice defence and attack on both the left and right flanks. Advanced yakusoku kumite is carried out at maximum speed, strength and with controlled technique. It normally comprises a great number of technical combinations. In Goju-Ryu karate-do, it is quite common for the attacker to end up on the floor after he/she has been thrown by the defender. There are many ways of practising yakusoku kumite, one of which is as follows: the student starting the attack defends and then applies the counter-attack.
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4-BUNKAI KUMITE (Applications of katas)
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TYPES OF BUNKAI KUMITE
- Kihon Bunkai – basic technical applications of Kata
- Dento Teki Bunkai - traditional applications of kata
- Oyo Bunkai - variations of the applications of kata
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5-JIYU KUMITE (Free combat)
TYPES OF JIYU KUMITE:
- Jiyu Ippon Kumite is a step further towards Jiyu kumite and is usually left out or only rarely trained as seriously as it deserves. The opponents fight against each other freely, moving as they wish, limited only by the role they play: one is the attacker and the other is the defender. The initial level is set and, when it is considered most appropriate, the attack is made with either arm or leg, using the technique considered most adequate. The defender should move within a reasonable distance for stopping or avoiding the attack, but one which also allows him to make an almost simultaneous counter-attack, which should be performed with all his/her energy, like the attack he/she is receiving. The speed decision and exact assessment of the distance are fundamental weapons for dominating this phase of kumite.
- Ju Kumite is the free exchange of techniques among colleagues. There are many different levels and forms of practising Ju kumite, e.g. slow with an emphasis on developing a technique or at great speed without valuing technical quality. Other examples are different levels of contact: combat without contact, emphasising mental or physical control; combat with light contact; combat with heavy contact; and combat with protection to prevent injury. It is occasionally defined as dojo kumite. To improve your technique, you should study other forms of martial arts or other sports, such as boxing.
- Randori Kumite is a form of training kumite developed by Sensei Morio Higaonna, (randori is a term used in judo and means "experimenting" with techniques). In randori, two students practice kicks, punches, defence techniques and feet movements against each other freely. It is not performed at maximum speed and the emphasis is not placed on winning the combat, since it is not a competitive activity. Each student should use the opportunity to practice his/her movements, attack and defence techniques with the other, where he/she is also used as a target during the practice activity. All the techniques should be performed under maximum control and care should be taken not to injure the other person with incorrectly executed techniques or as a result of carelessness. Randori can be performed as a warm-up activity and for training flexibility; at half speed as a training method for improving certain technique combinations; or at fast speed to develop reaction speed. The emphasis should always be placed on the variety of techniques and developing many forms of attack and defence. Each student should learn to collaborate with the other in randori, avoiding dislocation techniques, holds, false attacks or techniques that are too violent. Randori is a form of training for practising distance, timing and many other combat-related issues. If a student insists on practising randori as a form of competition or to demonstrate his/her superiority, it will be very difficult to experiment with new techniques. Therefore, randori is a free form of combat that differs from the usual practice of kumite, but which was studied to prevent injuries and other problems that occur in combat at maximum speed.
- Jisen Kumite is a form of free combat without rules, in which every technique can be used.
- Shiai Kumite is a form of sports combat, with a referee and subject to strict competition rules. To a certain extent, this requires the variation of the activities and training sessions focus on the use of more "acknowledged" techniques to obtain points and, in particular, value the response.
- Iri Kumi, which, in the Okinawan dialect, means Jiyu kumite, or free combat. In the past, in Okinawa, after regular training, the veteran students who knew each other well practised iri kumi. In iri kumi, there are no preestablished movements and practice focused on punches, kicks, knockdown techniques, strangleholds, blocking techniques, etc. often until one or the other surrendered. Since the veteran students had practised together for many years and were friends, it was not a real fight. Their techniques were controlled and aimed at vital areas so as not to injure each other. This type of training is still referred to today by the elderly Senpai of Okinawa, who are now 60 or 70 years old, as iri kumi. In order to maintain tradition for the benefit of young students and to promote Goju-Ryu karate and foster amicable relations and technical exchanges between different styles of martial arts and different nations, the I.O.G.K.F. has introduced the iri kumi competition.
- Kakie (Koki) is where two students fight against each other using technical applications and, after the statutory time, the techniques are assessed and a winner is declared.
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Kumite
