OSS!!!

More than likely you have many types of drills to enhance your fighting skills, Kihon, Kihon Ippon Kumite, Jiyu Ippon Kumite, Gaeshi Kumite, Jiyu Kumite, jujitsu waza, etc.   You wouldn’t do only one kumite drill, would you? 

It seems to me that Tournament sparring is just one more “drill” to enhance the ability of a karateka to perform kumite.  It gives an opportunity to see a different opponent and one that you do not know their style before you spar them.  It allow one to work on their distance, timing, speed, and accuracy against another opponent—often of a high skill level.

Tournament sparring also begins to recreate some of the fear, pressure, and adrenaline that would flow in a real self-defense situation, so you can begin to learn to mange that.

I believe that tournament sparring is a valuable training adjunct for the martial artist.

OSS!!

-----Original Message-----
From: ShotoJukuKai@yahoogroups.com [mailto:ShotoJukuKai@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of shotojuku2002
Sent: Monday, September 26, 2005 11:04 PM
To: ShotoJukuKai@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [ShotoJukuKai] Re: Sparring in Karate

Hey Rick:

Kumite value has been controversial since Funakoshi's time, that's
why they waited 6 months after he died to hold the very first
tournament.  He (Funakoshi) believed that tournaments would do little
to promote karate and perhaps even harm it.  Just look at some of the
pretend competitions where you see multi-colored gi's, kata being
done to music, and board breaking. It's nealy as bad as professional
wrestling. I think he was right!

However, if you examine the legitimate tournaments featuring all
white gi, Okinawan/Japanese kata (NO MUSIC)they maintain a focus on
strong viable technique and not acrobatics.

To answer your question, one will find a greater value of their
training time found in the Dojo - seeking perfection of character
rather than seeking a six-foot tall trophy made from plastic.

OSS!!! 

--- In ShotoJukuKai@yahoogroups.com, "shotorochester"
<shotorochester@y...> wrote:
>
> Since the forum has been quiet I'll post a contraversal question.
>
> Karate has the three k's: Kihon, Kata, and Kumite
>
> What should be the role of "point" or "tournament" sparring in
Karate?
> Is it a valid form of Kumite practice or is it a waste of time? If
> Kumite should reflect actual situations shouldn't you spend more of
> your valuable training time on waza, ippon kumite, street defense,
> etc.?
>
> Just wondering what people think about this.
>
>
> Rick P.