松濤館空手道リッチモンド
SHOTOKAN KARATE-DO RICHMOND

Kihon Ippon Kumite, or "One-Step Sparring," is a crucial aspect of traditional karate training. It bridges the gap between basic drills and free sparring, emphasizing precision, timing, and control. This type of sparring focuses on executing a single, decisive technique in response to an opponent's attack, highlighting the principle of "Ikken Hissatsu" (to kill with a single blow). Kihon Ippon Kumite involves a set pattern where one practitioner (the attacker) performs a single attack, and the other practitioner (the defender) responds with a block and a counter-attack.

 

This drill is highly structured, allowing practitioners to refine their techniques and develop a deep understanding of timing and distance. After executing the counterattack, the defender holds the finishing position for 2 to 3 seconds. This practice is aimed at strengthening and conditioning the muscles involved in the technique. Subsequently, the attacker returns quietly to the ready stance (Yoi - Hachiji Dachi Shizentai), inhaling deeply, and then exhales slowly while focusing concentration on the lower abdomen (Hara), relaxing in readiness for the next attack.