GKR practitioners come in many shapes and sizes. Some pick up sparring like a duck to water while to many others it is something starts out feeling very unnatural. Learning techniques is one thing, but successfully putting them into practice in a semi-realistic situation or developing a successful strategy to do so is another.

Because of this, many people may feel lost when it comes to sparring; even more so when their role models may be much bigger and stronger than they are making it almost impossible to emulate them. You may ask questions such as, "Is there a correct approach or method of sparring that we all should use?" "Do we try to emulate our instructor? Or Kancho Sullivan?"

The answer to these questions are 'yes' and 'no'. I do believe that on many levels we should model the style of kumite that we see our instructors perform. I also believe that there are basic kumite philosophies that Go-Kan-Ryu and many other traditional styles promote that should be take on board by a student who is trying to develop their kumite. It is for this reason we are taught similar techniques in class - similar attacks, counter attacks, footwork drills etc.

In the end however, there is no correct approach or method of sparring that a practitioner should adopt. The reality is that kumite is a form of self-expression. What may work for one person may be ineffective for another.

A philosophy many martial artists take on board is that not only are there different styles of kumite for different people, but there should also be different styles for one person.

It has been said many times in martial art circles that: "A light wind can push grass around, but against an oak tree it has no effect at all. The oak stands strong and proud. Yet a strong wind can uproot the oak tree, but even the strongest winds cannot uproot the grass which just moves to and froe in its force."

The key is that a karate-ka at times must be like grass, and other times like the oak. Too often however, a karate-ka takes on board one style of kumite and refuses to adopt new styles. Bruce Lee spoke of the dangers of this. He said, "When a person is bound by a set pattern of ideas or way of doing something, they stop growing".

Kancho Sullivan shares this philosophy. He says, "We as people never stagnate, we are always going forwards or backwards. Even if we think we are stagnating, the fact that others around us are moving forwards the same effect, we end up behind".

While it is important to adopt a number of styles for our own kumite, it is essential that one first adopts their own 'one' style. Only after a person has a style they feel comfortable with, can they become confident in kumite and then start to expand their horizons.

Now when it's said that you must adopt your own style, it does not mean you need to invent techniques or new and interesting stances. It just means you need to adopt your strategies for kumite. It also means you need to look at yourself and find your strengths and bring them into the forefront of your kumite, while understanding your weaknesses and keeping these to the back...

"Kantan Na Mono Yoku Sho O Seisu"

...Where we have said that people's approach to kumite may and should differ, the techniques people use should basically be the same. That is, a punch or kick has good form and comes from a good stance. A karate-ka spends many hours going over the basic techniques so that they become embedded in the subconscious. When this happens, during kumite a person can concentrate on what they will do and the how takes care of itself.

Kan Ni Hatsu O Irezu

Every style of kumite can be improved by speed. When one claps their hand, the sound produced is instantaneous; there is no gap between the action and the sound. In a similar fashion, the karate-ka in their response to an attack must be so quick that there is no gap between the attack and defence.

When we see this in kumite, often the recipient does not even realise what happened, only that they were picked off. If there is hesitation in the counter attack or attack, even 'for a single strand of hair' the chances of success are decreased dramatically. When the mind is free, and the plenum and focal modes are in sync, a karate-ka is able to counter with tremendous speed and explosive, clean technique.

When one is looking for their strengths and weaknesses, it is here that they can decipher which techniques they will mostly use. There is a Japanese karate saying which is

"Kantan na mono yoku"

which means the difference between victory and defeat hangs on simple matters. This tells us that in a real life situation, or in kumite it is not how many techniques we know that will see us through, but developing excellent timing, distance and focus in the few techniques we do perfrom. Bruce Lee once wrote on such a topic:

"A few simple techniques, well presented, an aim clearly seen, are better than a tangled maze of data whirling in disorganised educational chaos. It is not a matter of daily increase, but daily decrease. Hack away the unessentials. To get better, don't complicate things, improvement is often as simple as to simplify."

So we understand that there is no real style or method of kumite that a person who practices GKR should follow. All are free to develop what works best for them...

There are a couple of common Japanese karate philosophies regarding kumite.

Ikken Hissatsu

We must remember that karate is a form of self-defence. Imagine you were to be approached by several assailants. In all likelihood, were you to attack one with a barrage of attacks, the others would come in quickly from behind. The reality is that you would most likely only have time to quickly parry one attack and deliver a single powerful blow and then move onto the next assailant.

Because of this dojo kumite need not be any different. Where you may aim to develop speed and a multitude of co-ordinated techniques, if you are not there yet it does not mean your kumite lacks. Instead it is good practise to aim for quality over quantity. Allow your opponents to spar with many attacks while you free your mind from distraction and focus on finding the precise moment to make one full-focused, strong counter or attack.

Bruce Malone

(Shimbun Vol 12 No 1)