Shotokan Karate: Sparring Concepts

Three-step (sanbon) kumite. This type of kumite is often required for the lowest ranks of testing in Japanese Shotokan Karate. Sanbon Kumite will help the student develop a better sense of distance in both offense and defense. This type of kumite emphasizes techniques with basic form and structure, while learning to step and adjust distance. Includes an introduction to sparring concepts.

Basic level one-step (Ippon) kumite. This type of sparring is often required for the kyu ranks of testing in Japanese Shotokan Karate. Ippon Kumite helps the student develop a better sense of distance and angles for defense in sparring. This type of kumite emphasizes techniques with basic form and structure, while learning move at angles from the attacker.

Semi-free (Juyi-Ippon) kumite. This type of kumite is often required for the upper kyu ranks and Shodan level of testing in Japanese Shotokan Karate. Juyi-ppon Kumite will help the student develop a better sense of setup and strategy for offense and defense in sparring. This type of kumite emphasizes movement and setup, as well as basic reaction training.

This video teaches free sparring strategies used in traditional non-contact Japanese Shotokan karate. You will learn offensive and defensive strategies you can put to use in your own free sparring. The detailed instruction presents concepts such as distance, footwork and timing.

This video presents many training drills to help you develop better skills and confidence in free sparring. These drills will help you develop the concepts presented in the other sections of Sparring Concepts.