Brian Kagen’s pick: “The Theory of Kumite” by Takeyuki Hayama

From the website of the Kenshinkan Karate Organization:

Is (tournament-style) kumite a necessary part of karate training? The answer is yes.

However, that doesn’t mean it is necessary to participate in tournaments. While it is good to include (tournament-style)kumite as part of karate training it doesn’t have to be in a tournament situation.

Nowadays it is not possible to practice attacking your opponent with bare hands in kumite practice at your dojo. However, at the same time, if you are doing so-called actual fight training without rules that is non-contact, it is not possible to see actual proof that what you are doing is effective. Not only is it difficult to improve your skills, but you have no evidence of whether or not they have improved. If you have been training for 10 years and you haven’t become any stronger or you can’t use your skills in an actual fight, then your dojo is obviously swindling you.

Click here to read the entire article

July 12^th, 2007 (add comment)