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Marc
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The Diversity of Kumite

Whenever we talk about kumite I think we should clearly state which type of kumite we are referring to at any point in the conversation. We therefore want more precise terms to refer to specific types of kumite.

In my article "Kumite – Hand in Hand with Your Opponent" I give a general definition of the word "kumite" and then present 6 different types of kumite.

I wrote this article a while ago, when after class, in which I taught kata and we spent a lot of time on application drills with a partner, I was asked by two students to please include more kumite in the future. I thought, "but we did do kumite almost the entire time". Of course the misunderstanding was quickly identified - and it was two-fold: One asked for Sanbon-Kumite (three step sparring) as required for her grading exam. The other asked for Jiyu-Kumite or Randori to include more of the sports aspect of karate in our training.

In fact, the term kumite is used in a variety of contexts. And although these contexts do overlap in some aspects, they still can be very well distinguished.

I split the text into 8 pages so that the respective parts can be easily linked to if necessary.

Take care everybody

Marc  

Iain Abernethy
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That’s an interesting piece! Of the six you list we do two, but for us they are fused into one i.e. our “bunkai kumite” and our “self-defence kumite” are one and the same. That said, there are many different types of that kind of kumite – depending on the skill set we wish to develop – but within the categories you present there would be no demarcation for us.

We also have another type, not listed, that perhaps we could call “fighting kumite”. It’s duelling (so not as self-defence / bunkai) but it’s not “competition kumite” because the rules of competition have no bearing on how we do it i.e. we can grapple, kick the legs, knee, elbow, hook, figth on the floor, etc, not of which is permissible in competition. It is, however, based on consensual one-on-one unarmed fighting; unlike the bunkai / self-defence stuff.

We don’t do any of the other types you list.

I totally agree that “whenever we talk about kumite I think we should clearly state which type of kumite we are referring to at any point in the conversation” because confusions can easily arise based on everyone’s own assumptions. The trouble is there is no universally agreed upon terminology and a huge about of differing sparring practises.

Thanks for sharing!

All the best,

Iain

Marc
Marc's picture

Iain Abernethy wrote:

That’s an interesting piece!

Thanks, glad you like it.

Iain Abernethy wrote:

Of the six you list we do two, but for us they are fused into one i.e. our “bunkai kumite” and our “self-defence kumite” are one and the same. That said, there are many different types of that kind of kumite – depending on the skill set we wish to develop – but within the categories you present there would be no demarcation for us.

As I wrote in the section on self-defence kumite:  "Self-defence kumite may build on the ideas found in kata but really anything that works is fine, no matter where it comes from." But of course, kata has lots to offer, so it seems only natural to draw on the information encoded in kata and use it for your self-defence training.

The distinction that I tried to make between the analysis of kata and modern self-defence is perhaps a bit academic: Goal, context and scope.

Goal of self-defence: Being able to defend yourself. Make use of kata if it helps.

Goal of kata oyo bunkai: Understand how karate works and what the past masters thought to be useful. Might benefit your self-defence skills.

Context of self-defence: Legal use of force to protect yourself within your culture, law and environment today.

Context of kata oyo bunkai: Historical context of Okinawa in the 19th century and earlier. Less guns, more swords, and maybe fewer repercussions when you wrenched somebody's head off when attacked.

Scope of self-defence: Including manners, awareness, avoidance, de-escalation, escape as well as different kinds of violence (social, asocial) and the different appropriate strategies to handle them.

Scope of kata oyo bunkai: Ways to physically overcome an assailant once they attack you.

Of course the two may blend into each other.

It seems that what you do very much resembles what I called "Shotokan Kyohan Kumite" in the article. In short: Karate = Kata = Kumite = Self-Defence Training

As I see it, the process of bunkai, i.e. the analysis of kata to understand their meaning, is a modern phenomenon. In the times of the past masters they taught methods of self-defence and the kata helped remembering them. Today we have the katas and try to find the encoded methods through educated guessing.

So the two complement each other. You can understand a kata move and say "hey, that is very useful for me in self-defence". Vice versa you can learn some great self defence move (say from Krav Maga) and realise "hey, that exactly matches this move from this kata".

Iain Abernethy wrote:

We also have another type, not listed, that perhaps we could call “fighting kumite”. It’s duelling (so not as self-defence / bunkai) but it’s not “competition kumite” because the rules of competition have no bearing on how we do it i.e. we can grapple, kick the legs, knee, elbow, hook, figth on the floor, etc, not of which is permissible in competition. It is, however, based on consensual one-on-one unarmed fighting; unlike the bunkai / self-defence stuff.

Your're right. It seems I haven't covered that in the article.

Could you describe the actual goal of this type of "fighting kumite"? Is it "winning" or "not losing"? Is it pure fun or friendly competition or learning from one another? How do you decide whether it worked well? By tapping out or by accomplishing a certain goal or by escaping?

Iain Abernethy wrote:

I totally agree that “whenever we talk about kumite I think we should clearly state which type of kumite we are referring to at any point in the conversation” because confusions can easily arise based on everyone’s own assumptions. The trouble is there is no universally agreed upon terminology and a huge about of differing sparring practises.

That's why I decided to present the terminology that I personally use. Maybe it helps others communicate more clearly and thus avoid misunderstandings.

The distinction of the various types of kumite is closely related to the question of context that you have described in your articles and podcasts, like:

Karate's Three Biggest Mistakes

 Context! Context! Context! (podcast)

The Martial Map (Free Audio Book)

It's always good to know what you are fighting for. smiley

Take care

Marc  

Iain Abernethy
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Thanks for the detailed reply.

Marc wrote:
You’re right. It seems I haven't covered that in the article.

Could you describe the actual goal of this type of "fighting kumite"? Is it "winning" or "not losing"? Is it pure fun or friendly competition or learning from one another? How do you decide whether it worked well? By tapping out or by accomplishing a certain goal or by escaping?

Again, we have may different types of that kind of kumite, but the thing that links them is that they are developing the skills needed to win against a single unarmed opponent in a consensual exchange. Essentiality “fighting kumite” is anything that develop fighting skills.

Each individual drill will pick out a certain skill set to develop. If we keep it basic and use “hand fighting” as an example: They are seeking to land as many punches as possible while getting hit as little as possible. We start at distance, allow all hand strikes (straights, hooks, uppercuts, etc), allow trapping and seizing of arms, etc. So it’s not “competition sparring”, but it’s about winning and it’s consensual; so it’s not self-defence or kata based either.

It’s all just a matter of differing terminology really. It’s will be impossible to get a universal terminology in place because there is no universal karate (and that’s a good thing!); but, as you rightly say, it’s important that any given dojo is clear on what drills develop what skills, and what those skills are to be used for.

It’s also important to spend some time defining terms when talking with people from other schools too. What we all mean by “karate”, “kata”, “kumite”, “bunkai”, etc can vary wildly and it can result in people talking at crossed purposes (I had just such a discussion today as it happens over “kata”).

It’s thought provoking piece that you have produced around these issues and I really appreciate you sharing it with us.

All the best,

Iain

Marc
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Iain Abernethy wrote:

Again, we have may different types of that kind of kumite, but the thing that links them is that they are developing the skills needed to win against a single unarmed opponent in a consensual exchange. Essentiality “fighting kumite” is anything that develop fighting skills.

Each individual drill will pick out a certain skill set to develop. If we keep it basic and use “hand fighting” as an example: They are seeking to land as many punches as possible while getting hit as little as possible. We start at distance, allow all hand strikes (straights, hooks, uppercuts, etc), allow trapping and seizing of arms, etc. So it’s not “competition sparring”, but it’s about winning and it’s consensual; so it’s not self-defence or kata based either.

Thanks for the clarification.

It reminds me of Tegumi as described by Funakoshi. A consensual fight, designed to develop a certain skillset (getting up from the ground through grappling even against multiple oponents), with a specific goal (standing free), and with a referee to ensure nobody is seriously injured.

I haven't mentioned Tegumi in the article. So maybe I'll add a section on Tegumi and similar kinds of fighting kumite.

Iain Abernethy wrote:

[...] What we all mean by “karate”, “kata”, “kumite”, “bunkai”, etc can vary wildly and it can result in people talking at crossed purposes [...].

Very true. And sadly those crossed purposes often enough result in faction within karate associations, groups or even clubs.

Take care

Marc