Here are some good tips that you can implement into your karate class kumite (sparring).
1. Distance is the first area explored in karate kumite. There are four different distances used, they are long range, medium, close and real close (grappling).
A good measure of distance initially, is to stand opposite your training partner in shizentai (natural stance) and extend one arm until you can touch your partners shoulder. From this position, you can step back with the right leg into hidari (left) gedanbarai (downward block), you now have a good starting distance for the basic karate kumite exercises.
The first kumite exercise in shotokan karate has two variations, they are both very similar and only differ in the amount of attacks and defences used. The two variations are gohon kumite (5 step sparring) and sanbon kumite (3 step sparring).
2. When attacking, defending and counter attacking, ikken hisatsu (to finish with one blow) should be implemented. This is very important, when you attack your opponent, you should be trying to finish the fight with a single blow, when you block and counter, you should be trying to finish the fight with a single blow. At the same time, you do not want to put your training partner in hospital, so control should also be a priority.
3. Breathing should be silent and hidden, a good fighter will capitalize on their opponents poor breathing. If your opponent is breathing heavy, just as they are about to finish breathing out, ATTACK! This is the best time to attack, try it and see.
4. If your opponent gets easily distracted and they look away a regular intervals, try and time an attack just as they get distracted and start to look away.
5. blinking is an opportunity to attack, watch closely, you may think this is impossible, but try it and you will be surprised.
6. When you attack, try not to give any signs away that you are attacking and the basic 3 or 5 step sparring is excellent for practicing non-telegraphed movement.
7. Stay relaxed at all times, a tense body is a body that will break! A relaxed body is a body that will move and adapt to different situations.
Karate for beginners classes always start slowly, so do not be put off by this article, please do not think you are going to be fighting the toughest black belts in the dojo. Everything is done slowly and gradually you will find yourself more and more at ease with the kumite. When trying to learn karate online, the sparring part is the hardest, so please be sure to enroll in a good karate dojo.
