THE NATURE OF JYU-KUMITE

 by Phillip Starr

Actually, jyu-kumite (freestyle sparring) is the newest addition to the various forms of kumite (practice involving a partner). In the “old days”, freestyle sparring did not exist and the legendary masters of those times never engaged in it. They developed their extraordinary skills through regular, vigorous practice of other training routines. Jyu-kumite (as we know it, more or less) was created shortly after the end of WWII. It is thought that its creator was none other than Gogen “The Cat” Yamaguchi of Goju-ryu fame...

He introduced the concept of “controlling” one's blows so they either did not strike one's partner will full force or they were pulled about two inches short of contact. When the Japan Karate Association (shotokan, JKA) began developing competition events, jyu-kumite was a very important part of it. The younger participants were particularly excited about it. The JKA instituted very stringent rules (to which they still adhere to this day) and all officials were senior karate practitioners and/or instructors who were required to undergo thorough training, pass strict examinations, and become certified.

In order for a technique to be called for a full-point (which meant that the opponent would have been destroyed or rendered incapable of continuing the fight), it had to meet three requirements:

• It must have destructive power in it such that if it had struck the opponent, it would have destroyed or neutralized him.

• It must have correct timing; if the technique scores as the opponent is moving away from it, it cannot be awarded a full point. The opponent must be standing still or (better yet) be scored on while moving forward, into the technique.

• It must have correct distance. The technique must not strike the opponent with full force; it may make “jacket contact: or be pulled an inch short of contact. This is a critical safety feature.

There were no flying taps to the head or hopping around and kicking with the same leg repeatedly like a crippled chicken. No boxing punches or spinning knife-hand strikes. And it remains so to this day.

When the padded mittens and foam footgear were first introduced onto the American tournament scene, I warned that using them would result in a slow deterioration of technique. Nobody listened. Instructors were tired of teaching students how to control their punches and kicks (which requires some considerable training); it was easier just to bundle up their hands and feet and let them have at it. As I had predicted, within a couple of generations students were throwing wild punches and many of them sustained nasty injuries.

Back in the day, jyu-kumite was practiced in class primarily to teach students how to use their techniques and tactics in an unrehearsed manner. It was a way of testing yourself and learning as opposed to trying to “win” against classmates or simply have fun. It was practiced with deadly seriousness and control – two things that seem to be completely absent from today's training regimens.