Ippon kumite

[sandman]

I'm interested to hear how (or if) various styles approach ippon kumite, or one point sparring. In my organization (World Yoshukai) we have 5 "scripted" attacks / defenses that we have to learn and perform. The attacks and defenses are scripted by the organization. Previously when I studied Shito Ryu (many years ago) we started with sanbon kumite with scripted attacks / defenses at the beginner level, then went to ippon kumite with certain scripted attacks / defenses, then eventually at advanced levels the attacks were scripted but the defenses were improvised.

I can see some value in ippon kumite in that you learn to make actual contact when blocking attacks and such, but then again it can be pretty stiff and rigid, and sometimes not that practical. Also there is the tendency among a lot of people when on the attack to not force the defender to block - to punch out to the side like the guy blocked the punch, even if he didn't. I think there is absolutely no value in it when it is done that way. On the other hand when the defenses are improvised I can remember a lot of people tending to try to get too fancy - to block the punch and then deliver 15 punches and 12 kicks. Not too practical.

I'm just curious to hear how other organizations do it and what your feelings are about it.

[kakatootoshi]

Originally Posted by sandman

I can see some value in ippon kumite in that you learn to make actual contact when blocking attacks and such, but then again it can be pretty stiff and rigid, and sometimes not that practical. Also there is the tendency among a lot of people when on the attack to not force the defender to block - to punch out to the side like the guy blocked the punch, even if he didn't. I think there is absolutely no value in it when it is done that way. On the other hand when the defenses are improvised I can remember a lot of people tending to try to get too fancy - to block the punch and then deliver 15 punches and 12 kicks. Not too practical.

I think Ippon Kumite is an important training in Kyokushin Karate. It helps beginners to learn to adapt to the correct fighting distance.

Originally Posted by sandman

Also there is the tendency among a lot of people when on the attack to not force the defender to block - to punch out to the side like the guy blocked the punch, even if he didn't. I think there is absolutely no value in it when it is done that way.

There is no point in training if someone trains like that. A total waste of time for two people. This is more of a common mistake for students rather than an inherent weakness of the training itself.

Originally Posted by sandman

On the other hand when the defenses are improvised I can remember a lot of people tending to try to get too fancy - to block the punch and then deliver 15 punches and 12 kicks. Not too practical.

If the same person can actually deliver those 15 punches and 12 kicks in Jiyu Kumite, I think neither of us have the right to call that person fancy, and we should all marvel at that person's ability! But I tend to think that in most cases, someone is not paying attention to the training or thinks that he or she learns Karate to fight with air.

OSU!

[jcc]

Osu!

Uuhm. I don´t think too many of us are born with perfect reactions, timing and distancing Ippon kumite should help to put that right.

I have seen people ´faking´ the strike to avoid the pain of the block. Silly and a waste of time. It would be up to the sensei to put this right.

Osu!

[kakatootoshi]

Originally Posted by jcc

I have seen people ´faking´ the strike to avoid the pain of the block.

Dear jcc,
Sure you know they are not learning some secret invisible strikes of death from "Kill Bill"?

OSU!

[jcc]

Osu! k-o,

No, never thought of that. I may now have to remember to guard my tongue just in case, which may be more difficult to learn than any secret death strike!

Osu!

[sandman]

Osu - thanks for the input! I'm also interested to hear what other organizations' ippon kumite consists of. Again, this is really just curiosity...

[Dent]

Osu!

I think that the differences within each organization reflect the need to focus on individual Dojo, rather than a global group.

Osu!

[seienchin]

In the teaching system that I grew up in, Ippon kumite was a training tool to help develop reflexes and embed reactions. it was therefore used with just about every technique that we learned.

When Sensei wanted to teach us a new technique to use, first step would be to do it as kihon, then as ippon kumite. Then we would do exchanges like free-sparring, but focusing on the new technique.

Ippon kumite is, IMO, the most effective teaching tool for building new repertoire.