KUMITE STUDY - DEFINING TECHNICAL APPLICATION SKILL

Kumite is the study of application of techniques within the martial arts. It should never be confused with the term fighting as a Kumite match is more of a test of one's own abilities in controlled environment than a real fight. Within Kumite there are rules and principles that one must master to become successful at it. In a real fight there are no rules but the same principles one studies in Kumite can determine their success in true life self defense if learned properly.

Before a student will be given the ability to study Kumite they must first understand it. The foundation of Kumite lies with the following aspects: Control, Self Control, Distance, Timing, Focus and Kime. Each principle must be learned properly and as the student increases their own ability Kumite becomes quite fun.

Each link to the left describes some of the training in Kumite that a student will undergo. Kumite is as much an art form as Kata is. Technical expertise is the sought out pathway rather than who can beat whom.

The Four Types of Kumite

There are four types of Kumite taught at our dojo. Each type if based on the skill level of the students and will increase in complication as the student's ability to apply the principles increases. These four types must be studied to great lengths to attain the Shodan rank. They are:

   -  Ippon Kumite - Preset attack and defense
   -  Sanbon Kumite - Two preset attacks, one block and one counter
   -  Jiyu Kumite - Freestyle where both opponents may attack at anytime.
   -  Randori Kumite - Freestyle with less restrictions and the ability to throw, lock and grapple.