Karate is one of the most popular martial arts in the world. Karate originated in Japan, and it has evolved from being a martial skill into the sport we know today. Nowadays, it wasn’t quite the same as it was in its prime, especially when it came to fighting. Tournaments use a point fighting system instead of free, full-contact sparring for obvious reasons. But what is karate fighting in the first place?
Karate Point Fighting is a specific type of karate fighting, where the goal is not to hinder the opponent but rather to score the most points. The rules are strictly defined, and it takes a lot of technique, speed, patience and balance to win the karate fighting match.
Due to the semi-contact nature of Karate Point Fighting, many people believe that the techniques presented here are not at all effective for self-defense or real combat. But, there are different types of fights in karate, and there are still competitions that are held that allow for full contact, free sparring. If anything, Karate Point Fighting requires a lot of discipline and precision.
Karate evolution
Karate, like many other ancient Asian martial arts, has its roots in history. It goes back to the first martial arts that were developed in that region. Shaolin monks in ancient China developed the first training systems that included meditation and self-defense exercises. After the destruction of the Shaolin Temple, the surviving monks dispersed throughout China, teaching others their martial arts skills.
Meanwhile in Okinawa – an island in Japan – it was forbidden to own any kind of weapon, unless you were in the direct service of Hanoshi, the ruling shogun in Shu dynasty. Therefore, people had to find other ways to defend themselves. Geographically, Shanghai was much closer to Okinawa than Kyoto – the capital of Japan at the time – so they traveled to China to practice martial arts.
Upon their return to Okinawa, they begin to teach others what they have learned while implementing new items. In this way, the ancient martial art named Te (which means “hand” in Japanese) was developed.
Later, the tei began to spread throughout Japan and further afield when they realized that the soldiers from Okinawa were in a primitive physical and mental condition. The Emperor called upon the Okinawan martial artists to publicly display their craft. So, Gichin Funakoshi He did the demonstration, and the rest is history.
He changed the name from Te to Karate (meaning “empty hand”) and is known today as the father of modern karate.
Modern karate It is divided into three types, segments, or disciplines: Kihon, Kata, and Kumite. Only the third, Kumite, is a fight between two opponents, and that too has different types.
kumite
encapsulation of both kihon and kata, kumite It is the combative part of karate. Practitioners learn a wide range of moves, both for full contact and semi-contact karate – the type used in Karate Point Fighting. Now, if we are talking about karate as a martial art, we can divide it between Budo Karate and Sport Karate.
Budo Karate She is a self-defense karate, and this is the one who can save your life if necessary. When you do Budo Karate, you are in a state of mind where you are “fighting for survival”. You’ll learn how to hinder your opponent with full contact, ignoring a hit, or the rules.
Karate sportOn the other hand, it is what you can learn in any karate club today. You learn basic techniques, but you prepare to fight by the rules, and almost all competitions are points based. Let’s dive a little deeper into it.
What is karate fighting?
Kumite, or karate combat, has 4 main types. Geo Comet It is a freestyle fight, and is usually only practiced in a gym (dojo). Keiso Kumite It is a match organized and designed by Kata. Sanbon Kumite It is a three-step battle, used to develop strength, speed and technique. the last one, Ippon Kumitewhich is used regularly in point karate.
In Karate Point Fighting, there is a strict rule which strike gives you points, which strikes are forbidden, and so on. The largest and most important competition is the World Karate Championship, which is organized by the World Karate Federation (WKF).
The winner must be 8 points ahead of the opponent for the match to end. If the specified time frame expires, the fighter with the most points scored up to that point will be the winner. If the scores are tied, the winner can be determined in different, predetermined ways. Either they fight for the “golden point” – the first to score wins – or extra time is set to complete the match.
After each point is scored, the match is paused and reset to the middle of the tatami area (fighting area).
Penalties and scoring in karate fighting
You can score one, two or three points in Karate Point Fighting. According to the World Karate Federationthere are Yuko (A) and Yuko (B), worth 1 point, Wazari, worth 2 points, and Ippon (A) and Ippon (B), worth 3 points each.
Yoko (a) and Yoko (b)
Yoko (A) It is a direct punch that is delivered directly to the opponent’s body. It should be clear and not blocked until you get one point. It’s a safe-to-play strategy, however, that gets blocked a lot, because you have to cut the distance between yourself and your opponent to get inside for the jab, giving them time to back off or even strike.
also worth 1 point, Yoko (m) It’s a straight punch in the face. However, using this technology can be very difficult, because any unnecessary contact is usually punished in competition. Some leagues even forbid this move.
minister
minister It is a leg technique – mid-body kick worth 2 points. It must be clear and unblocked, and is allowed to land on the stomach, back, chest, or sides, depending on the position of your opponent. Shoulder strikes, weapons strikes, and strikes below the waist count as blocks, and therefore do not score points.
ippon (a) and ippon (b)
The methods worth the most points are the most difficult to implement. ippon (a) It’s a kick to the head. It counts as three points if it is delivered to the face, head and even neck. However, be careful not to hit the throat, as it is forbidden and can result in disqualification.
All types of kicks are permitted, including front straight kicks, roundhouse kicks, and other techniques. They are performed with the base of the foot rather than the shin (as many martial arts suggest) to ensure balance and avoid unnecessary contact.
ippon (m) It is also worth three points, and you can get them with any hit that counts as a score, but when the opponent is on the floor. Sweeps, grabs, and grapples are allowed to take down an opponent, but not to continue the fight to the ground.
It is imperative that you have the original physical fitness, because competitions can last for some time, and you can do several bouts on the same day. This is why karate fighters also learn how to stay focused and in control, as it is much easier to get punished in a fight than to score.
Karate point fighting strikes
Penalties in Karate Point Fighting are given gradually or explicitly, depending on the severity of the offense or misconduct. There are two categories of behavior that are prohibited in a match.
Category 1 It relies more on interaction with the opponent, such as blocking techniques and strikes. Also, attacks to the arms, legs, knuckles, and groin are strictly prohibited, along with any type of attack to the face with an open hand.
Class 2 It depends more on individual behavior, attitude, and sportsmanship. For example, overinjuring is a Class 2 penalty, as it is not considered fair play. It is also not allowed to leave the combat zone without the opponent causing it. Also, to avoid being ‘scored’, participants must engage in combat at all times, as passivity is also prohibited. You must not mock your opponent, and you must obey the orders given to you by the referee.
Violation of each of the prohibitions of categories 1 and 2 is punished, first with warnings, then with penalties. Some competitions fine participants with reduced points, but the penalties for disqualification are more often.
Chococo It is the first warning, given for minor infringement of the rules, such as accidental strikes with the leg, pulls, etc. If a fighter continues to violate the same set of class rules, they will be awarded Kikuko. Hanzoku Choi It is the third and final warning before disqualification. It can be given because the same violation has been repeated many times, or if the violation is more serious. For example, a blow after the referee has stopped the bout to reset it.
Finally, the most severe violations are punished Hanzoku, or disqualification from the match. Unnecessary contact or repeated violations can reduce the fighter’s score to zero and set the opponent to 8, which automatically means victory.
If the violation is deemed extreme or unsportsmanlike, it can result in offender A shikakuor disqualification not only from that specific match but from the entire tournament.
From the organized discipline of point fighting to choosing the right equipment, every aspect of karate requires careful attention. For this reason, we cannot stress enough the importance of choosing the right equipment to complete your martial arts journey. If you want to take your karate experience even further, finding the best karate game can be transformative. Whether it is for rigorous training sessions or looking your best in competition, choosing a Gi can add tremendous value to your karate practice.