| In general, there are many components to | | | | Types of Kumite |
| modern karate training. One common division | | | | |
| is between the areas of kihon (basics or | | | | Ippon kumite - one step sparring, typically |
| fundamentals), kata (forms), and kumite | | | | used for self defense drills |
| (sparring). Another popular division is | | | | |
| between art, sport, and self defense | | | | Sanbon kumite - three step sparring, |
| training. Weapons (kobudo) comprise another | | | | typically used to develop speed, strength, |
| important training area, as well as the | | | | and technique |
| psychological elements incorporated into a | | | | |
| proper kokoro (attitude) such as | | | | Jiyu kumite - free sparring |
| perseverance, fearlessness, virtue, and | | | | |
| leadership skills. Often in the execution of | | | | Basic Footwork |
| a technique, karateka are encouraged to issue | | | | |
| a loud kiai or 'spirit shout'. | | | | Nusumi ashi - back foot steps in first, front |
| | | | foot steps second to close distance |
| Kata (Forms) | | | | |
| | | | Okuri ashi - front foot steps in first to |
| Kata means "form" or "pattern," and despite | | | | close distance, back foot follows |
| how they might appear to the outsider, are | | | | hahahahhahahhahahahhahah |
| not simply aerobic routines. They are | | | | |
| patterns of movements and techniques that | | | | Tsugi ashi - stutter step, typically the |
| demonstrate physical combat principles. Kata | | | | front foot makes a small closing step |
| may be thought of as a sequence of specific | | | | followed by a much larger one to close |
| Karate movements that address various types | | | | distance with the back foot following as |
| of attack and defense under ideal | | | | needed |
| circumstances. It is important to remember | | | | |
| that they were developed before literacy was | | | | Ayumi ashi - the back foot steps through to |
| commonplace in Okinawa or China, so physical | | | | the front to close distance |
| routines were the logical method for | | | | |
| preserving a body of this type of | | | | Kokoro (Attitude) |
| information. It is also important to remember | | | | |
| that the moves themselves may have multiple | | | | Kokoro is a concept that crosses through |
| interpretations as self-defense techniques - | | | | many martial arts, but has no single discrete |
| there is no 'standard right or wrong' way to | | | | meaning. In context, it means something like |
| interpret them, but interpretations may have | | | | "heart," "character," or "attitude." |
| more or less utility for actual fighting. In | | | | Character is a central concept in karate, and |
| karate, there are many types of Kata | | | | in keeping with the do nature of modern |
| available. Depending on the current grade of | | | | karate, there is a great emphasis on |
| the pupil, a specific Kata must be practised | | | | improving oneself. It is often said that the |
| and ready to perform at a grading for one to | | | | art of karate is for self-defense; not |
| grade to the next Kyu or Dan level. | | | | injuring one's opponent is the highest |
| | | | expression of the art. Some popularly |
| Kata by the same name are often performed | | | | repeated quotes implicating this concept |
| with variations between styles, within | | | | include: |
| schools of the same style, or even under the | | | | |
| same instructor over time. None of these | | | | "The ultimate aim of Karate lies not in |
| variations are more "correct" than the other, | | | | victory or defeat, but in the perfection of |
| though during testing only one version is | | | | the character of its participants." -Gichin |
| typically accepted. | | | | Funakoshi[citation needed] |
| | | | |
| Kumite (Sparring) | | | | "The Way is not meant as a way of fighting. |
| | | | It is a path on which you travel to find your |
| Kumite literally means "meeting of hands," | | | | own inner peace and harmony. It is yours to |
| and has many incarnations. Sparring may be | | | | seek and find." -Hironori Ohtsuka |
| constrained by many rules or it may be free | | | | |
| sparring, and today is practiced both as | | | | Respect is another very important part of |
| sport and for self-defense training. Sport | | | | karate; it is about cleansing oneself and |
| sparring tends to be one hit "tag" type for | | | | strengthening character. The spirit of "osu" |
| points. Depending on style or teacher, | | | | is to push onself to the limit of one's |
| judo-type takedowns and grappling may be | | | | ability, to persevere under pressure, to |
| involved alongside the punching and kicking. | | | | endure. |
| | | | |