Kumite
組手
The part of karate in which one trains against an opponent: from pre-agreed exchanges through semi-free sparring to free and competition fights.
Quick Facts
Word breakdown
Definition
Kumite (組手) is literally translated as “interlocked hands”: kumu means to join or grasp, te means hand. It is the part of karate in which one trains against an opponent, as opposed to kata, where the practitioner fights imaginary opponents, and to kihon, the practice of basic techniques. Kumite has many levels, from fully agreed to completely free. Gohon kumite is a five-step exercise with a predetermined attack and defence, sanbon kumite is three-step and ippon kumite one-step, used mainly for self-defence skills. Jiyu ippon kumite is one-step semi-free sparring, jiyu kumite free sparring. Kiso kumite is sparring derived from kata.
Differences between arts and styles
Sport karate (WKF): scored by points. A direct punch to the head or trunk is a yuko for one point, a kick to the trunk a waza-ari for two points, and a kick to the head or a technique on a fallen opponent an ippon for three points. Kyokushin and other knockdown karate: no points for controlled techniques. Decisive is a hit that knocks the opponent down, a sweep or a throw to the ground.
Relations to other terms
Equivalent in another art
See also
A prescribed sequence of movements against imaginary opponents or with a partner, literally “form”. The core of teaching in karate, judo, kendo and aikido.
Kihon基本Basic techniques of Japanese martial arts and their repeated practice: stances, punches, kicks and blocks. In karate it forms a triad with kata and kumite.
Randori乱取りFree practice in judo, aikido, jujutsu and some karate styles. Partners try techniques against real resistance, but without aiming to win.
Ippon一本The highest score in Japanese martial arts competitions, “one full point”. In judo it ends the match, in kendo it is the basic unit of scoring.