Kihon means "basic". Ippon means "one" and kumite means "the meeting of hands". So, kihon ippon kumite means "basic one-step sparring".

Kihon ippon kumite drills under the Shotokan curriculum are partner drills where one partner launches attacks (jodan oi tsuki, chudan oi tsuki, chudan mae geri, yoko kekomi geri and mawashi geri) and the other partner defends and counter-attacks.

The attacker can only launch one attack at a time and the defender must defend and counter-attack. After that they both need to restart.

Initial Kihon Ippon Kumite

In the initial form of Kihon Ippon Kumite the goal is there to utilize proper form of the attack / defence / counterattack and additionally learn to properly distance oneself. In this form there is no real need for speed or force, but really focus on the proper execution and form.

The execution form looks as follows:

  • Distance, the attacker stands at arms lenght of the defender
  • Both start in yoi
  • The attacker prepares by seting up backward zenkutsu-dachi + gedan barai
  • The attacker performs the attack / the defender defends
  • The defender performs the counterattack
  • Both continue in the direction the movement was going, back to yoi position
  • The roles reverse and the excersise restarts

Advanced Kihon Ippon Kumite

Kihon ippon kumite drills are there to help you ultimately get ready for freestyle sparring.

  • Perform basic attack and defense techniques with power, speed and target accuracy while on the move. This is a major step forward from doing basic techniques from stationary positions
  • Work on your stances, evading, distance and timing

If you’ve practiced these drills repeatedly and correctly and are able to perform it with speed and power, this can be used in freestyle sparring situations by simply adopting a free sparring stance that you feel comfortable with.