I have written previously about the benefits of competition, or shiai, kumite, of which there are several. To reiterate my point, here is a link to the original blog post: http://lazybudo.blogspot.com/2013/03/benefits-of-shiai-kumite.html
I still see these points as being highly beneficial and very difficult to test in any significant manner using traditional, standard, karate training practices. With any martial art, it is the sparring phase of one's training where one's techniques are pressure tested, and you can truly test your mettle. It is competition which takes this phase to a new level; this applies to both kumite and kata competition. I still stand by the merits of shiai kumite: distance, footwork and timing, however, these are specific parts of being a karate-ka that are trained by practicing this style of kumite.
What are the overall affects of competition? Nathan Scarano Sensei, 6th Dan AJKA-I, has been known to say that there are, in fact, 4 K's of karate. This is in opposition to the standard 3 K's that most karate-ka speak of (kihon, kata and kumite). What is the fourth K? It is kompetition! Yes, that's the incorrect spelling, but the alliteration is in the speaking of the words. Competition is the finish line for all of one's preparation. It's no longer about whether you can perform you kihon and kata, or fight an opponent you know well in the dojo, it's if you can do all these things in front of spectators, facing a complete stranger and being judged for it.
There is a strange level of mental pressure that exists when one steps into the ring, for kata or for kumite. I notice it every time I compete. This past weekend, AJKA-NY hosted its annual tournament in conjunction with another local competition. The combination resulted in one of the largest open tournaments in the area, if not in the country. Over 500 competitors from all over North and South America, as well as several competitors from Europe. It was a massive event. Over of the course of the day I saw what calm under fire really looks like, and I've also seen what happens when one loses control and lets instinct take over.
The purpose of sparring, in general, has always been to give the fighter the chance to pressure test one's techniques, this applies to kumite in karate, randori in judo, rolling in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and whatever other time can be used in any other style. That being said, competition among these other arts has retained that notion, while being more sportified. Karate kumite, on the other hand, has become sportified and more stylized, with flash and fancy technique being more highly rewarded than good effective technique. It might be impressive to throw a judan ura mawashi whilst falling backwards, but it's far from an effective technique. This moment, which is seen very often especially in WKF-style kumite is impressive for more than the fact that it is highly athletic and bordering on acrobatic. What impresses me most is the calm under pressure the fighters show while being pushed backward, and they still think to throw such an awkward and difficult technique.
What's my point in all this? Karate kumite, specifically shiai/competition kumite, has become less and less about clean efficient technique. So if we aren't training to throw strong technique and as I like to say "put the other guy down," what are we training for? The real benefit is being able to think calmly when being pressured, whether you feel threatened in this arena, there is the concern over getting scored on. Getting scored on in the ring means that I will be injured in the street. It's as simple as that. The one that attacks first in the ring, will also be fast enough to attack first in the street. The one that counters faster or moves faster will do the same in the street. It is being able to think calmly while under duress that is important in either arena. Think about that the next time you're training. Can you perform these techniques with the same level of calm outside the dojo as you can inside? With an opponent as well as without one? Don't just practice the techniques, practice the mental aspect as well, if not more so.
I still see these points as being highly beneficial and very difficult to test in any significant manner using traditional, standard, karate training practices. With any martial art, it is the sparring phase of one's training where one's techniques are pressure tested, and you can truly test your mettle. It is competition which takes this phase to a new level; this applies to both kumite and kata competition. I still stand by the merits of shiai kumite: distance, footwork and timing, however, these are specific parts of being a karate-ka that are trained by practicing this style of kumite.
What are the overall affects of competition? Nathan Scarano Sensei, 6th Dan AJKA-I, has been known to say that there are, in fact, 4 K's of karate. This is in opposition to the standard 3 K's that most karate-ka speak of (kihon, kata and kumite). What is the fourth K? It is kompetition! Yes, that's the incorrect spelling, but the alliteration is in the speaking of the words. Competition is the finish line for all of one's preparation. It's no longer about whether you can perform you kihon and kata, or fight an opponent you know well in the dojo, it's if you can do all these things in front of spectators, facing a complete stranger and being judged for it.
There is a strange level of mental pressure that exists when one steps into the ring, for kata or for kumite. I notice it every time I compete. This past weekend, AJKA-NY hosted its annual tournament in conjunction with another local competition. The combination resulted in one of the largest open tournaments in the area, if not in the country. Over 500 competitors from all over North and South America, as well as several competitors from Europe. It was a massive event. Over of the course of the day I saw what calm under fire really looks like, and I've also seen what happens when one loses control and lets instinct take over.
The purpose of sparring, in general, has always been to give the fighter the chance to pressure test one's techniques, this applies to kumite in karate, randori in judo, rolling in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and whatever other time can be used in any other style. That being said, competition among these other arts has retained that notion, while being more sportified. Karate kumite, on the other hand, has become sportified and more stylized, with flash and fancy technique being more highly rewarded than good effective technique. It might be impressive to throw a judan ura mawashi whilst falling backwards, but it's far from an effective technique. This moment, which is seen very often especially in WKF-style kumite is impressive for more than the fact that it is highly athletic and bordering on acrobatic. What impresses me most is the calm under pressure the fighters show while being pushed backward, and they still think to throw such an awkward and difficult technique.
What's my point in all this? Karate kumite, specifically shiai/competition kumite, has become less and less about clean efficient technique. So if we aren't training to throw strong technique and as I like to say "put the other guy down," what are we training for? The real benefit is being able to think calmly when being pressured, whether you feel threatened in this arena, there is the concern over getting scored on. Getting scored on in the ring means that I will be injured in the street. It's as simple as that. The one that attacks first in the ring, will also be fast enough to attack first in the street. The one that counters faster or moves faster will do the same in the street. It is being able to think calmly while under duress that is important in either arena. Think about that the next time you're training. Can you perform these techniques with the same level of calm outside the dojo as you can inside? With an opponent as well as without one? Don't just practice the techniques, practice the mental aspect as well, if not more so.
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