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