Advanced Kumite

Kaeshi Kumite (Return Attack)

This type of kumite is designed to practice rapid change of direction, in this case the most difficult one from forward to backward and vice versa. Kaeshi kumite can be practised on jodan, chudan and gedan level. eg.

Happo Kumite (Circle of 8 Opponents)

This type of kumite is designed to improve on speed of recovery, conditioning and versatility.

There is a wide range of happo kumite.

Starting with formal Kihon Ippon type to the most advanced Jyu Ippon kumite type. Again there is a distinction between moving clockwise or counter-clockwise and advanced, expecting an attack from any of the 8 opponents.

(This may be required at gradings for Junior Four or higher)

Okuri Jyu Ippon Kumite (One attack beyond the 1st Jyu Ippon attack)

Okuri Jyu Ippon Kumite truly is reserved for black belts only. After conclusion of normal type jyu ippon, that is, attack-defence-counterattack and recovery (having regained the initial distance), the attacker delivers a further attack (this time without announcing his intended technique).

Jyu Kumite (Freestyle Sparring)

The most advanced type of Kumite. To master Jyu Kumite takes many years of practice.

Competition Sparring

There are three types of kumite used in competitions, as described below.

Shobu Ippon:

The winner is the first fighter to achieve a full point (Ippon) or two half-points (Waza-ari).

Shobu Nihon:

The winner has to gain two ippons or four waza-aris. With a Kime-waza technique (powerful deadly finishing blow with perfect control) a fighter can earn two Ippons immediately.

Shobu Sanban:

The winner has to achieve three Ippons or six Waza-aris.

See the rules for scoring.