Continuing with our search for knowledge and how to improve in Karate, we will review today some basic kumite (sparring) terminology that will help you understand what is expected when competing in tournaments.
Many of these terms were assimilated into Japanese and not all of them are Japanese in origin because karate originated from Okinawa which utilized their own indigenous language blended with Chinese and Japanese.
In Kumite (組手) we have two competitors that will face each other, referees, rules, and regulations to make sure good sportsmanship is maintained. Each competitor will wear a different color in gloves and belt, disregarding their current rank color. All competitors are divided into Blue or Red colors. Therefore, we need to learn those colors as the referees will refer to each competitor by their assigned belt color.
Colors and Rank
- 青 Ao : Blue
- 赤 Aka : Red
- Kyu : Rank. Ranging from 10 (White) to 0 (Black)
Attacks and locations
- Tsuki : Punch
- Keri : Kick
- Uchi : Strike
Japanese rule:
When a location is added to a Punch, it converts from Tsuki to Zuki. For example, Jab Punch is Kisami Zuki.
When a location is added to a Kick, it converts from Keri to Geri. For example, Front Kick is Mae Geri.
- Jodan : To indicate an upper level/head
- Chudan : To indicate a middle level/torso
Example: Jodan Geri (Kick to the head)
Etiquette and Ring
- Shomen ni rei : Asking competitors to bow to the front
- Otaga ni rei : Asking competitors to bow to each other
- Hajime : Begin
- Shobu Hajime : Start of the match
- Yame : Stop
- Senshu : First unopposed point advantage
- Tsuzukete Hajime : To restart the match
- Tsuzuke : Telling the competitors to fight on (continue)
- Ato Shibaraku : Alerting the competitors that there is little time left in the match
- Moto no Ichi : Telling a/the competitor(s) to return their start positions
- Nakae : Enter into the fighting area
- Hachimaki : Headband
Judgment calls and Warnings
- No Kachi : Win
- Shugo : Indicating a call a meeting between the corner judges and referee
- Hantei : Requesting a draw match decision time
- Hikiwake : A draw
- Kiken : To indicate a forfeit or a withdrawal of competitor
- Jogai : Indicating the competitor’s exit from the match area
- Chui : A formal warning
- Hansoku-Chui : Warning of disqualification
- Hansoku : Disqualification
- Shikkaku : Disqualification and must leave the tournament
- Torimasen : Indicating annulment of a point or decision
- Mubobi : Self-endangerment
- Wakarate : Separate from the clinch
- Ukete-masu : Indicating that an attack was blocked
- Nukete-masu : Indicating an off target attack
- Yowai : Indicating that an attack was too weak
- Hayai : Indicating that one attack is faster than the other (in an exchange of blows)
- Aiuchi : Indicating simultaneous attacks
- Renzoku-waza : To indicate a combination technique
- Sai Shiai : Indicating a rematch
- Maai : Distance
- Zanshin : State of continued awareness of the opponent’s potential to continue with a counter-attack
Roles
- Kansa : Match supervisor
- Shushin : Referee
- Fukushin : Judge
Scoring
- Yuuko : 1 point
- Wasari : 2 points
- Ippon : 3 points