Guidelines for Partner Training in Karate

In all Karate partner training exercises when attack/block exercises are performed, the rule is: The person attacking moves at the command of the instructor. The person blocking only moves once the attack has been initiated.

In partner training such as Ippon Kumite (one-step sparring), typically the person assigned to be attacker stands in a traditional ready position (Chudan No Kamae, middle level fighting posture) or a natural fighting stance (Shizen dachi no kamae). The person blocking usually assumes a formal attention stance (this varies from style to style).

Guidelines for the person attacking

If it is a new karate technique that either your or your partner are not familiar with, perform the first few repetitions at slow pace, until you’re certain that your partner can properly block your attack without the risk of injury. If your partner is comfortable with blocking your attack, increase the speed and power of your attack as if you “mean it.” There is no point in teaching your partner how to block “sissy attacks.”

Sometimes the person defending already positions himself in the way they’re going to move when they block. As the attacker, do not co-operate here. If you’re meant to aim for the solar plexus, then aim there. You fix your target at the moment you’re given the command to attack. Do not follow a moving target once you have initiated the attack (because you’re not supposed to know where you partner is going to end up). However, if the person defending has changed the distance between individual repetitions of the exercise, adjust your distance quickly before you attack, instead of overextending your limbs and thus performing an unrealistic attack.

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