| Karate sparring, known as kumite, is one of the most | | | | practice of kumite or sparring. However, although it |
| important segments of karate training, along with | | | | covers a vast rage of activities, the art can be |
| kata and kihon. It is a sort of exercise performed | | | | broken down into two basic variations where one of |
| between at least two karate practitioners, using the | | | | the participants remains stationary, and where both |
| techniques learned from the kihon and kata. | | | | remain moving. |
| Contrary to the popular belief, the main purpose of | | | | In the traditional form of karate, there is what they |
| karate sparring is to expose or show off a | | | | call as Gohon Kumite, which is often identified as the |
| practitioner's technique. The term "technique" here | | | | first type of karate sparring for the beginners. In this |
| not only refers to the physical techniques involved in | | | | type, the defender steps back each time, blocking |
| the art of karate, but to the understanding of the | | | | the five attacks and performing a counterattack |
| fundamental and advanced concepts of the art, such | | | | after the fifth block. The second type, however, |
| as timing and distancing, as well. Given this idea, it is | | | | looks nothing like the gohon kumite. It is known as |
| clear that unlike the other forms of fighting, karate | | | | Jiyu Kumite or free sparring, which is practiced by the |
| sparring aims not to defeat, unless it is a tournament | | | | more advanced karate sparring practitioners. This |
| match, or injure the opponent. Karate sparring rather | | | | second variation is said to appear far closer to how |
| aims to develop and improve your karate skills and at | | | | the art would look if used in a real fight. This is due |
| the same time helping your opponent or your partner | | | | to the fact that in free sparring or jiyu kumite, the |
| improve his or her own skills. | | | | use of certain stances is not required. |
| There is much to karate sparring than its being a | | | | In kumite or sparring, punches and kicks are the basic |
| developing and learning tool. It is a test of wills. | | | | techniques. These techniques are generally considered |
| Karate sparring allows the students to develop and | | | | in competitions to kill the opponent. However, since it |
| enhance elements like control, distance, form, focus, | | | | is very difficult to find anyone willing to spar against |
| eye intensity, reflexes, awareness, timing and | | | | you, or a sparring partner, to improve your |
| coordination. And, as what most karate sparring | | | | technique, what most of the karate sparring students |
| experts have commonly noted, what makes karate | | | | do is that they aim to deliver strikes with the |
| sparring best is that it teaches the students how to | | | | maximum speed and power possible. The strikes, |
| apply the basic techniques and elements of the art, | | | | however, must be stopped at the moment of |
| stances, and even the hip motions in a dynamic | | | | contact so to protect the opponent from any |
| situation. | | | | possible injury. In karate sparring, this is what actually |
| There are a number of possible variations in the | | | | improves the control you have over your strikes. |