Teaching Kumite

ONE-ON-ONE FOR THE FIRST TIME

The principles in teaching Kata will work well when teaching ALL types of curriculum one-on-one for the first time. There are a few notes I would like to add when working with someone on Kumite. We’ll use KYU KUMITE as a model here.

I strongly recommend practicing the Kumite ATTACK, side-by-side with an “invisible opponent” three times.

Always have the student practice the attack first. Moving forward is easier than moving backward. And yes, I would have the student attack you three times before going into the defense.

Depending on the student’s comfort level, you can either: (a) walk through the defense side-by-side, or (b) go directly from them attacking you to you attacking them.

If you decide to go with (b), do the first round slowly. Remember that blocking is naturally harder than punching and backing up is naturally harder than moving forward. And you are deciding to have them do both!!!

Stop and repeat as many times as you feel is needed for the student’s comfort. Unless directly instructed by the class instructor, accomplishing more than KYU KUMITE #1 is never necessary. There will be plenty of time for more later.

For someone learning KYU KUMITE for the first time, never go further than #3. Normally, this is practiced for several months with students before continuing to #4 and #5. There is a lot going on in these exercises, and it takes a while for the brain to absorb it all.

Marcus Traynor