Kumite (Sparring)

Three-Step Sparring

• In three-step sparring, each person attacks three times to face and three times to stomach from one side only (usually starting from a left side forward front stance, right-hand punch). The attacking side alternates after each exchange (i.e., Person A attacks to face; Person B attacks to face; Person A attacks to stomach; Person B attacks to stomach).

One-Step Sparring

• In one-step sparring involving only punching attacks (i.e., for 5th and 4th kyu), Person A attacks once to face from left-side forward (right-hand punch), then once to face from right-side forward (left-side punch). The same person then attacks once to stomach from both sides. Person B then performs the same attacks. Each person thus performs four attacks.
• In one-step sparring involving kicks as well as punches (i.e., for 3rd kyu and above), Person A attacks once to face from either side, then to stomach from either side, then with a front kick from either side. Person B then attacks one time each (face, stomach, front kick) from either side. Each person thus performs three attacks.

Kiai on the last attack (when attacking) and on the counter-attack (when defending). Down block strongly when attacking; announce your target forcefully and decisively.