Wantage Karate Club
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| Technical overview and analysis of Yakusoku Kumite |
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Abstract This report describes in detail the various forms of pre-arranged sparring (yakusoku kumite) that exist within traditional karate-do, in particular within the Shotokan Syllabus. Etiquette, protocol and objectives of both the attacker (Tsuki-te) and defender (Uke-te) involved in the training forms of Gohon, Sambon and Kihon Ippon Kumite are discussed. Adequate proficiency in such formalised partner work should provide 4th Kyus and below an adequate foundation to progress ultimately to the unpredictability of free (Jiyu) sparring forms. Introduction Prior to immersing into the precise details of these highly formalised, prearranged sparring forms I would like to clarify the scope of the report. Within the abstract, the Shotokan Syllabus is referred to and indeed the vast majority of what will now be discussed is appropriate for the TSKA Syllabus. However I urge the reader to seek clarification with their own Sensei as I have collated the following information from my training experiences since 1985 with a number of associations ranging from the south-east to the far north of the United Kingdom. Being relatively new to the TSKA (since 2000) these may differ marginally to the requirements and standardisation being sort by Sensei Peter Manning. The original references are detailed in full at the end of the report and referred to as a bracketed number within the body of the text. Pre-engagement Formalities As the reader will undoubtedly know all training methods incorporating partner work, start and finish with humility and the formal bow (Rei). Although synonymous with ancient martial arts, the karate (in particular the teaching environment) that is now practised was altered by the Japanese to enable it to be accepted and absorb within their culture and be comparable to Ju-do and Ken-do activities. Hence bowing should therefore contain all the formal etiquette used by the Japanese. The bow should bend from the waist, not the neck and be low enough to display the appropriate respect for your training partner. Musubi-Dachi (informal Attention stance) should be adopted with the heels together and the feet turn out with a fist distance between them. The person of lower status usually initiates the bow, bows the lowest, and is the last one to rise. The most appropriate for partner work is a rather informal bow of about 15 degrees and is held for one or two seconds. Men should leave their hands at their sides while bowing, but women usually place them together resting on the pubis or groin area with their fingertips overlapping (1). Formally eye contact should be avoided during the bow as it is deemed disrespectful. Contrary to Japanese practices some individuals abdicate maintaining eye contact throughout. The reasoning behind this is to foster the spirit of zanshin (awareness) as the Attacker or Defender may not have the same honourable aims or understanding of the situation as each other. This deviation from Japanese etiquette may have been instigated due to the scene in the Kung Fu classic 'Enter the Dragon'. In which Bruce Lee reprimanded his young student for not maintaining eye contact with the words 'If you look at the finger pointing at the moon you will miss all the heavenly glory' (2). Having carried out the formalities, the Attacker (Tsuki-te) and Defender (Uke-te) adopt the Ready Position (Yoi) in a parallel stance (Heiko Dachi). With the circling motion of the arms in preparing for Yoi both participates must wipe their minds of all other thoughts and focus on imminent risk of injury if concentration wavers. The correct martial spirit should assume that an engagement with swords was about to be pursued and that there are no second chances. This 'to kill in one blow' attitude is known as ikken hissatsu. It is at this point that eye contact must be initiated if it has not already been instigated particularly during prearranged (Yakusoku) rallies. It should be noted that some parties advocating observing your opponent by looking at their mid plane level corresponding to the sternum and solar plexus area instead of maintaining a 'psycho stare' that may lead to tunnel vision affects over prolonged sparring periods (3). The theory behind this being that both arm and leg attacks can be monitored. I have certain sympathies with this theory but it is perhaps more useful in Jiyu Kumite (free sparring) forms where feinting or setting up techniques may be incorporated.
Kumite rallies The exact details of the sequence of events for Gohon, Sambon or Kihon Ippon Kumite will not be discussed within this report in detail as it is assumed that the reader is conversant with the physical mechanics. In general the Shotokan syllabus requires jodan and chudan attacks with blocks consisting of age-ukes, uchi-ukes and soto-ukes for both Gohon (5 step) and Sambon (3 step) Kumite. The counter attack consists of a gyaku-tzuki (reverse punch) immediately after the last block of that sequence. This sequence is required for the grading examination 9th, 8th and 7th Kyu. It should be noted that variations in the requirements of 7th Kyu consist of a three step rally with the attack sequence being jodan, then chudan and finally mae-geri (front snap kick). This requires the Uke-te (defender) to move backwards blocking with age-uke, then soto-uke then gedan barai (downward block) (4).
Likewise the general requirements for Kihon Ippon Kumite consist from one to all of the following attacks for the grading examination for 6th to 3rd Kyu. Attacking sequence consisting of jodan, chudan, mai-geri, kekomi and mawashi-geri from both sides of the body.
Common to all forms of yakusoku, confirmation of the target area for the prearranged attack by Tsuki-te is clearly announced prior to the attack being instigated. A very common mistake is for the Uke-te to acknowledge this by saying Oss. On no account should any acknowledgement be fed back to the Tzuki-te, adopting the ready position (Yoi) is adequate enough. Initiation of the rally should be on the whim of the Tsuki-te and not on a verbal response of Oss by the Uke-te or Hajime by the Sempai, Sensei or Grading panel. The aim is for the Uki-te to learn to react to movement at an instant and not a verbal command.
Objectives The majority of the objectives for all yakusoku kumite are common to all three forms. The differing types help develop and quicken the reactions as karate-ka practise the techniques. The main aims are to learn, experience and practise ma-ai (distancing), tai-sabaki (body judgement more so for Gohon and Sambon while body evasion for Kihon Ippon), atemi (vital/weak point strikes), weight distribution on offensive and defensive stances, blocking and implementing controlled offensive and counter attack techniques (6). Ma-ai, (distancing) often defines the counter by students too most given attacks. Unnecessary space and/or leaning is often wrongly practised to enable the most familiar counter to be used i.e. gyaku tsuki (reverse punch). Distance must be adjusted particularly for Kihon Ippon Kumite (basic one step) to enable the correct technique to be applied. General examples being ura, kagi and tate tsuki (upper cut, hook and vertical fist punches), empi and hiza waza (elbow and knee techniques) for short range. Gyaku, mawashi and kizami tsuki (reverse, round house and front snap punches), shuto, tetsui and haito waza (knife, hammer fist and ridge hand techniques) and mai-ashi geri waza (front leg techniques) for medium range and ushiroashi geri waza (back leg techniques) for long range techniques. It should be noted that the previous examples are general examples and the range category will vary with the individual's ability. Students should be encouraged to experiment with the lesser known and used techniques without detriment to the listed objectives and strive for seriousness at all times. Tai-sabaki makes use of the eight compass directions to avoid direct head on confrontation with the attacking technique. Such glancing techniques avoid the use of brute strength to successfully defend a direct attack that can lead to injuries. This is one of the main principles of Wado-Ryu and significantly adds to the Shotokan repertoire (5). Movement of the Uke-te in a 45 direction either right or left and either backwards or forwards may significantly affect Mi-ai. A common mistake of the Tsuki is to attack where the Uke-te was originally standing in Yoi even after moving from that position. If movement of the Uke-te is too early then the Tsuki-te should still aim for him, anything else is of no long-term gain to either party. Targeting appropriate areas (atemi) is an important requirement for both Tsuki-te and Uke-te. The Tsuki-te attack must correspond to his or hers declaration immediately prior to the rally and must be focused on the centre line. This sounds an obvious requirement but is unintentionally wrongly executed on a regular basis. The Uke-te must equally counter attack to appropriate areas. A common mistake occurs with a mawashi geri response. The opponent may be significantly taller than the Uke-te who is attempting a jodan kick. Inevitably the foot connects with the Tsuki-te's shoulder blade or top of his arm. The correct response for this example should have been a chudan targeted kick. The potential list of target points could be a topic for another thesis however the following gives a typical indication. Frontal chudan counter attacks should consider the floating ribs and sternum. For the exposed back counter attacks should considered kidney strikes and base of the skull (occipital). While for jodan counter attacks should consider throat, mandible (lower jaw and chin), maxilla (upper jaw and bridge of nose) and temporal area (temples). To maximise damage to the opponent and minimise damage to the striking medium, soft (fleshy) parts should strike bony areas while bony areas should strike flesh parts. An extreme example of this would be the delicate bones (metatarsals) of the instep (haisoku) being damaged from striking an opponent's elbow. The declared jodan attack from the tsuki-te must be fast, accurate and totally controlled. While a chudan attack should aim to connect. This is not a licence to kill but should be sufficient to let the Uke-te realise the error of his or her ways. In contrast the counter attack must be controlled in all aspects as the Tsuki-te should remain stationary and is not allowed to block. Conclusions Although Kihon Ippon Kumite is commonly practised within the dojo environment adequate Gohon and Sambon rallies are often neglected. However these rallies allow attacks to be either continuous/rolling or broken up with a series of differing pauses designed to improve the uke-te reactions to movement. It is far too common to see such rallies carried out monotonously and metronomic. Unfortunately these are seen as an unnecessary exercise that needs to be learnt parrot fashion immediately before a grading. This is unfortunate and does not provide students with an adequate foundation. Once individuals partner taller, heavier, faster and more aggressive karate-ka they will struggle because of their lack of proficiency. Inadequate kihon practise and rushing to advanced rallies does not allow mistakes to be rectified. As in many aspects of traditional karate students must resist the temptation to advance onto the next grade without achieving an adequate competence. References 1. 'A Guide to Japan', Time Square Travels' Centre Ltd, Canada, www.tstravel.com
Paul Edwards |
