One approach to learning fighting is to just jump straight in and practice fighting a lot. Another approach is to learn it gradually and systematically, working up from basic techniques to pre-arranged sparring drills and ultimately to freestyle sparring.
This is Shotokan’s approach and this series will cover Shotokan’s complete system of kumite practice which includes gohon kumite, sanbon kumite, kihon ippon kumite, jyu ippon kumite, and jyu kumite.
This first post of the series will cover two basic kumite practices: gohon kumite and sanbon kumite.
It will first give an overview of Shotokan’s systematic approach to kumite training before diving into the details of gohon kumite and sanbon kumite practice.
Links to video demonstrations of gohon kumite and sanbon kumite drills by masters, champions and senior instructors are also provided.
Lastly, there are nine tips to help you get the most out of these drills and make you a better fighter.
Table of Contents
- Shotokan’s Systematic Approach to Kumite Training
- Gohon Kumite Drills
- Demonstrations of Gohon Kumite Drills
- Sanbon Kumite Drills
- Demonstrations of Sanbon Kumite Drills
- Gohon Kumite and Sanbon Kumite Practice Tips
- Conclusion
Shotokan’s Systematic Approach to Kumite Training
The ultimate goal of a karateka is to be able to defend himself or herself effectively.
As mentioned above, one way to learn to defend yourself is to practice a lot of fighting with different opponents.
The main advantage of this approach is a real-life personal experience. But you will have to work out your fighting approach by trial and error and this can take a long time and can pose a lot of safety risks as well. It is also not easy to legally find many different opponents to fight with.
An alternative way to learn fighting is to take it step by step and gradually work up from basic techniques and pre-arranged sparring to more advanced and ultimately to freestyle sparring.
Shotokan, being the most popular karate style practiced today, follows the second method and has a very systematic and safe approach to help you become a great fighter.
Shotokan’s system of kumite practice including the following:
- Gohon kumite
- Sanbon kumite
- Kihon ippon kumite
- Jyu ippon kumite
- Jyu kumite.
If you join a Shotokan dojo, you will spend the first 6 months learning basic blocks, punches and kicks and one or two kihon kata.
After that, you will be gradually introduced to kumite drills and the first one is gohon kumite, a five-step basic sparring drill for beginners.
In gohon kumite, you perform exactly the same attack (jodan or chudan punch) and same block (jodan age uke or soto ude uke).
You will then move to sanbon kumite drills where you will perform three different kinds of attack (jodan oi tsuki, chudan oi tsuki and chudan mae geri). The defense techniques will also vary greatly.
As your basic techniques and footwork and your sense of timing and distance improve, you will be gradually introduced to kihon ippon kumite, a basic one-step sparring drill.
Kihon ippon kumite drills introduce more attack and defense techniques and help you work on proper stances, footwork, body shifting, and, of course, powerful and effective techniques.
Kihon ippon kumite is taught to intermediate students (from 6th kyu green belts to 3rd kyu brown belts).
The next level of kumite practice in Shotokan is jyu ippon kumite which is a freestyle one-step sparring.
In jyu ippon kumite, you start in a freestyle sparring stance and either launch an attack or defend and counter-attack.
There are a lot more jyu ippon kumite drills compared to kihon ippon kumite and the techniques are also more advanced.
Jyu ippon kumite is taught to intermediate to advanced students (2nd kyu brown belts and above).
Jyu kumite or free sparring is the ultimate practiced fighting where you can assume whatever fighting stances you wish and use whatever attacking and defensive techniques you like.
While full speed can be used, power must be controlled and only light contact is allowed to keep everyone safe.
Other kumite practices such as shiai kumite (competition sparring) and oyo kumite (applications sparring) can complement jyu kumite and help you become a better fighter.
In short, Shotokan doesn’t just throw you in a fight and lets you figure out techniques and strategies for yourself. It teaches you the fundamental techniques and introduces you to fighting techniques and principles gradually over time.
Although Shotokan is more sport-oriented with a focus on long-distance fighting and explosive techniques, you can become a formidable fighter just by diligently following and mastering what you are taught.
Below, let’s look at two beginner kumite drills: gohon kumite and sanbon kumite.
Gohon Kumite Drills
Gohon means “five steps”. Kumite means “the meeting of hands”. Gohon kumite is often referred to as “five-step sparring”.
Gohon kumite is a pre-arranged sparring drill where the attacker steps forward and attacks and the defender steps backward and blocks. This is repeated five times. However, after the last attack the defender blocks and then counter-attacks.
The main purpose of gohon kumite is to help you develop a sense of the right distance, timing, and target as well as deliver good strong techniques while on the move.
There are two gohon kumite drills for jodan and chudan punches.
You are required to practice both left and right sides and defense and attack sides.
Gohon Kumite Number 1: Jodan Oi Tsuki
Gohon kumite number 1 is performed as follows:
| Attack | Defense | Counter-attack |
|---|---|---|
| The attacker starts with a ready stance (heiko dachi or hachiji dachi) and steps back into a zenkutsu dachi and announces “jodan“ | The defender starts with a ready stance and remains in this stance until the attacker makes his moves | |
| 1. Step forward into a zenkutsu dachi (left or right) and punch jodan oi tsuki | 1. Step back into a zenkutsu dachi and block with age uke | |
| 2. Step forward into a zenkutsu dachi and punch jodan oi tsuki | 2. Step back into a zenkutsu dachi and block with age uke | |
| 3. Step forward into a zenkutsu dachi and punch jodan oi tsuki | 3. Step back into a zenkutsu dachi and block with age uke | |
| 4. Step forward into a zenkutsu dachi and punch jodan oi tsuki | 4. Step back into a zenkutsu dachi and block with age uke | |
| 5. Step forward into a zenkutsu dachi and punch jodan oi tsuki and kiai | 5. Step back into a zenkutsu dachi and block with age uke | Counter-attack with a gyaku tsuki and kiai |
| Front leg steps back into the ready stance. Bow. | Back leg steps forward into a ready stance. Bow. |
Gohon Kumite Number 2: Chudan Oi Tsuki
Gohon kumite number 2 is performed as follows:
| Attack | Defense | Counter-attack |
|---|---|---|
| The attacker starts with a ready stance (heiko dachi or hachiji dachi) and steps back into a zenkutsu dachi (left or right) and announces “chudan“ | The defender starts with a ready stance and remains in this stance until the attacker makes his moves | |
| 1. Step forward into a zenkutsu dachi and punch chudan oi tsuki | 1. Step back into a zenkutsu dachi and block with soto ude uke | |
| 2. Step forward into a zenkutsu dachi and punch chudan oi tsuki | 2. Step back into a zenkutsu dachi and block with soto ude uke | |
| 3. Step forward into a zenkutsu dachi and punch chudan oi tsuki | 3. Step back into a zenkutsu dachi and block with soto ude uke | |
| 4. Step forward into a zenkutsu dachi and punch chudan oi tsuki | 4. Step back into a zenkutsu dachi and block with soto ude uke | |
| 5. Step forward into a zenkutsu dachi and punch chudan oi tsuki and kiai | 5. Step back into a zenkutsu dachi and block with soto ude uke | Counter-attack with a gyaku tsuki and kiai |
| The front leg steps back into the ready stance. Bow to the training partner. | The back leg steps forward into a ready stance. Bow to the training partner. |
Demonstrations of Gohon Kumite Drills
Below are a few demonstrations of the gohon kumite drills.
Sanbon Kumite Drills
Similar to gohon kumite, sanbon kumite is a three-step sparring drill where the attacker steps forward and attacks three times and the defender steps backward and defends and counter-attacks after the last block.
There are five sanbon kumite drills. The attacking techniques in all drills are the same but the defending and counter-attacking techniques are different and progressively become more challenging.
Sanbon kumite numbers 1 to 3 are practiced in most Shotokan schools but numbers 4 and 5 are less often used.
Sanbon Kumite Number 1
Sanbon kumite number 1 is pretty straightforward with three basic attacks and three basic blocks and a simple counter-attack, all done in the zenkutsu dachi stance.
| Attack | Defense | Counter-attack |
|---|---|---|
| The attacker starts with a ready stance (heiko dachi or hachiji dachi) and steps back into a zenkutsu dachi (left or right) | The defender starts with a ready stance and remains in this stance until the attacker attacks | |
| 1. Step forward into a zenkutsu dachi and punch jodan oi tsuki | 1. Step back into a zenkutsu dachi and block with age uke | |
| 2. Step forward into a zenkutsu dachi and punch chudan oi tsuki | 2. Step back into a zenkutsu dachi and block with soto ude uke | |
| 3. Step forward into a zenkutsu dachi and kick chudan mae geri and kiai | 3. Step back into a zenkutsu dachi and block with gedan barai | Counter-attack with a gyaku tsuki and kiai |
| The front leg steps back into the ready stance. Bow to your opponent. | The back leg steps forward into a ready stance. Bow to your opponent. |
Sanbon Kumite Number 2
Sanbon kumite number 2 is very similar to sanbon kumite number one.
All techniques are done in the zenkutsu dachi but the second block is uchi ude uke (instead of soto ude uke) and the third block gedan barai is to the outside of the attacking leg. A kizami tsuki is also added to the counter-attack.
| Attack | Defense | Counter-attack |
|---|---|---|
| The attacker starts with a ready stance (heiko dachi or hachiji dachi) and steps back into a zenkutsu dachi (left or right) | The defender starts with a ready stance and remains in this stance until the attacker attacks | |
| 1. Step forward into a zenkutsu dachi and punch jodan oi tsuki | 1. Step back into a zenkutsu dachi and block with age uke | |
| 2. Step forward into a zenkutsu dachi and punch chudan oi tsuki | 2. Step back into a zenkutsu dachi and block with uchi ude uke | |
| 3. Step forward into a zenkutsu dachi and kick chudan mae geri and kiai | 3. Step back into a zenkutsu dachi and block with gedan barai to the outside of the attacking leg using the same hand that performs uchi ude uke | Counter-attack with a kizami tsuki and gyaku tsuki and kiai |
| The front leg steps back into the ready stance. Bow to your partner. | The back leg steps forward into a ready stance. Bow to your partner. |
Sanbon Kumite Number 3
Sanbon kumite number 3 uses kokutsu dachi (back stance) and uke techniques from Heian kata.
| Attack | Defense | Counter-attack |
|---|---|---|
| The attacker starts with a ready stance (heiko dachi or hachiji dachi) and steps back into a zenkutsu dachi (left or right) | The defender starts with a ready stance and remains in this stance until the attacker attacks | |
| 1. Step forward into a zenkutsu dachi and punch jodan oi tsuki | 1. Step back into a kokutsu dachi and block with jodan haiwan uke | |
| 2. Step forward into a zenkutsu dachi and punch chudan oi tsuki | 2. Step back into a kokutsu dachi and block with moroto uchi ude uke | |
| 3. Step forward into a zenkutsu dachi and kick chudan mae geri and kiai | 3. Step back into a kokutsu dachi and block with sukui uke | Counter-attack with a gyaku tsuki (in zenkutsu dachi) and kiai |
| The front leg steps back into the ready stance. Bow to your partner. | The back leg steps forward into a ready stance. Bow to your partner. |
Sanbon Kumite Number 4
Sanbon kumite number 4 focuses on the use of kiba dachi stance and more advanced blocking techniques including yama uke and teisho uke.
| Attack | Defense | Counter-attack |
|---|---|---|
| The attacker starts with a ready stance (heiko dachi or hachiji dachi) and steps back into a zenkutsu dachi (left or right) | The defender starts with a ready stance and remains in this stance until the attacker attacks | |
| 1. Step forward into a zenkutsu dachi and punch jodan oi tsuki | 1. Step back into a kiba dachi and block with yama uke | |
| 2. Step forward into a zenkutsu dachi and punch chudan oi tsuki | 2. Step back into a kiba dachi and block with teisho uke | |
| 3. Step forward into a zenkutsu dachi and kick chudan mae geri and kiai | 3. Step back into a kiba dachi and block with gedan barai | Counter-attack with a empi uchi (sliding in) and kiai |
| The front leg steps back into the ready stance. Bow to your partner. | The back leg steps forward into a ready stance. Bow to your partner. |
Sanbon Kumite Number 5
Sanbon kumite number 5 focuses on turning and maintaining balance while performing techniques. It is similar to sanbon kumite number 1 but with a turning move before each defending technique added.
The key to keep balance while turning is to keep your hips or your center of gravity at a consistent height when you turn.
| Attack | Defense | Counter-attack |
|---|---|---|
| The attacker starts with a ready stance (heiko dachi or hachiji dachi) and steps back to zenkutsu dachi (left or right) | The defender starts with a ready stance and remains in this stance until the attacker attacks | |
| 1. Step forward into a zenkutsu dachi and punch jodan oi tsuki | 1. Turn and step back into a zenkutsu dachi and block with age uke | |
| 2. Step forward into a zenkutsu dachi and punch chudan oi tsuki | 2. Turn and step back into a zenkutsu dachi and block with uchi ude uke | |
| 3. Step forward into a zenkutsu dachi and kick chudan mae geri and kiai | 3. Turn and step back into a zenkutsu dachi and block with gedan barai | Counter-attack with a gyaku tsuki and kiai |
| The front leg steps back into the ready stance. Bow to your partner. | The back leg steps forward into a ready stance. Bow to your partner. |
Demonstrations of Sanbon Kumite Drills
Below are a few demonstrations of the sanbon kumite drills.
Gohon Kumite and Sanbon Kumite Practice Tips
Although gohon kumite and sanbon kumite are very basic drills, to get the most out of these exercises, you need to do them correctly and that is not easy for beginners.
Below are a few tips to help with your practice.
1. Have the right mindset
Have the right mindset when performing the drills and that is being present and alert and always demonstrating a good fighting spirit.
No smiling, no talking, no joking, and no eyes darting about.
2. Maintain a good posture throughout
Maintain a good posture throughout the drill, back and neck should be kept straight, chin tucked in and eyes on your opponent.
3. Full power, speed and intensity for every attack
The attacker must attack with full power, speed and intensity and every attack should have a correct target with the aim to deliver a killing blow (“ikken hissatsu“).
4. The distance must be right for it to work
The attacker must get the distance right so that the attack poses a real threat to the defender to force the defender to really defend himself or herself. If the defender doesn’t defend properly, he or she will get hurt.
The attacker must learn to get the distance right. For example, if the attacker launches a jodan oi tsuki, the distance is about right if the attacking fist manages to just touch the defender’s nose if he or she does not block the punch properly.
If the attacker doesn’t get the distance right, the defender may not bother to defend or defend with powerful and effective techniques.
5. Vary the attacking rhythm
The attacker should also vary the rhythm of the attacks to make it more challenging for the defender.
If the attacks are at a pattern of one technique per second, for example, it is predictable for the defender. But if the first attack is after one second, the second attack is after 3 seconds and the third attack is after 2 seconds, it makes the defender works harder.
When you are the attacker in these drills, you can dictate the rhythm of the attacks.
When you are the defender, your job is to concentrate and respond to the attack in a timely manner.
The attacking and defending techniques are known but the timing of the attacks is not known and that will force the defender to work on their reaction time.
6. Blocks must be effective
The defender must always aim to defend effectively as if their lives depend upon it.
These are basic drills but how you practice them can affect how you fight later on.
The legendary swordsman, Miyamoto Musashi, once said “you can only fight the way you practice“.
If you put your best effort into every technique all the time during your practice, in a real fight, you will likely block this way without thinking about it.
If you do a lousy job most of the time you practice, in a real fight, that is likely how you will react and you will get smashed pretty quickly.
7. Get the timing right
The defender must get their timing right. The best time to block is after the attacker has already fully committed to the attack.
If the defender blocks too early, he or she will develop a bad habit of anticipating a particular attack and blocking too early.
In a real fight, an experienced fighter can change the attack midway or change the direction of the attack when observing the defender’s move.
8. Kiai
Give a good kiai that shows your fighting spirit.
If you find it hard, imagine you are fighting your worst enemy and your kiai is your battle cry that summons all your physical strength and mental toughness to deliver a killing blow.
9. Breath naturally
And lastly, don’t forget to breathe during your drills. Just relax and breathe naturally. This will come as you practice more and build up your fitness and confidence.
Conclusion
Gohon kumite and sanbon kumite, if done well, can definitely help you with your free sparring later on.
Some people wrongly criticize basic drills like gohon kumite and sanbon kumite because they either fail to understand their purposes or fail to perform them correctly to benefit from them.
It’s true that in real life we don’t fight like in gohon kumite or sanbon kumite practice, but they serve as a useful training tool to help us develop powerful and effective techniques, get distance and timing right, and train our martial spirit.
They are an important part of karate training and you will often see that they are just not for beginners, even black belts practice them.
Other posts you might be interested in
How to Do Seiza Properly in Karate?
What Is the Philosophy of Karate?
Shotokan Karate’s Dojo Kun and Their Philosophical Meanings
The Twenty Precepts of Karate and Their Meanings
Shotokan Karate Grading Syllabus: Brown Belt (3rd Kyu)
References
Shotokan Karate Academy Vancouver: Kumite
Shotokan Karate Cote Saint-Luc – Kumite
Zanshin Shotokan Karatedo Grading Curriculum