From the Jiyu-Kumite Clinic DVD Series

DRILL 1 – Punch in place

• Allow speed to be a primary focus at times.
• For MAETE Start with both fists turned upward in front of your body and allow punching hand to only turn over at extreme end of punch.
• Don’t allow punching hand to drop, pull back, or adjust even the slightest bit prior to punching.
• Punch out + return on exactly the same line.
• After focus, the returning punch moves rapidly, not casual (keeps mental focus and allows for realistic combinations).
• Head moves in alignment with the body. Don’t nod or pull chin up.
• Front knee must go in slightly with each punch.
• Also try performing punches with front foot going in with each strick, then returning. Back foot stationary.

DRILL 2 – Shuffling/Footwork

• Some developed for balance and movement dynamics, some may apply to actual pre-attack movements.
• Move your focus from speed, to balance, or to distance.
• Develop ability to punch at any time as lower body performs footwork patterns.
• When punching during a forward movement, punch ends just before front foot hits the ground.
• Use a mirror (or ask opponent) to identify any unnecessary movements and eliminate as much as possible.
• Arms must “float” and eliminate even slightest movements caused by lower body patterns.
• Learn to shuffle forward or back immediately after a side shuffle or foot change.

DRILL 3 – Multiple Opponent Reverse Punch

• Focus primarily on speed.
• Both opponents use right hands for Maete and reverse punch or both use left.
• Each Maete attacker gets into position as fast as possible to allow an attack immediately with (1) shuffle from a dead stop.
• Experienced members go 100% with strict control – NO KIAI =NO KIME!
• Never block the maete then reverse punch. The reverse punch must be executed before the opponent is inside ma.
• Reverse punch:
  • Don’t open & close fist.
  • Don’t drop fist prior to punch.
  • Contact opponent just short of full extension (contact with bent elbow = a late punch).
  • Punch leaves only from point on hip (fist up) and returns rapidly after contact on same line.

DRILL 4 “Ippon” Jiyu Kumite

OFFENSE:

• Start each attack at MA distance.
• Develop the ability to determine if defender is staying or backing out before you initiate your attack.
• Focus on variations of only (1) technique at the time. i.e: Maete’s only for a while, then frontkick variations, then backhands , etc.
• Control, but learn to attack 100% with no effect to your KIME (feeling) regardless of the opponents intent (to counter or not).

Key points:

• If you thought defender was going back, but stayed,and your attack was late or inside MA, you lost.
• If you thought defender was staying and he backed out (your attack fell short) you lost.

DEFENSE

• Start at Ma and only
  1. Stay and reverse punch, or,
  2. Back out
• Learn to mislead the attacker so the attack is delayed or falls short.
• Only stomach reverse punch initially till both develop keen sense of timing and distance (defensive upper level reverse punches generate excessive caution initially).

Key point:

• Opponent moves, you move. If you have time to wait and see the technique, you most likely were not at Ma.

DRILL 5 – Multiple Jiyu Kumite Exchanges

• Best with 4-7 each opposing line.
• Not distance Jiyu Kumite. Both quickly move to Ma, take stance, begin.
• If opponent attacks first, defend or get out. Don’t get caught “flat footed”.
• One exchange only (focus on exchanges from Ma) then move to opposite line.
• Swap positions in line to face different opponents, if necessary.
• Develop offensive and defensive skills simultaneously.

DRILL 6 “Fighter in the Hole”

• Best with groups of 4,5 or 6.
• Pair up groups may be based on size, rank, or ability.
• Each individual match can stop at ½ point or (2) ½ points, or to the end of each time period.
• 1 minute to 1½ minute rounds are best.
• If more than (1) group, a member starts each match and all groups together and times it. Each of those matches stop when required points scored or
• time runs out.
• If any groups finish a match quickly wait till all groups have finished that
• current match, then start next match together.
• Referees move in & out quickly & limit commands (rounds are short, not too much talking).
• “Fighter in the hole” faces each member in the group. Than a new fighter is put “in the hole” (This will result in all members facing each other 2 times).

DRILL 7 – Bag Kumite

• Don’t just hit the bags – strictly focus on a particular aspect.
• Focus on speed at times (not just power).
• Move from point A to point B (The bag/opponent) as fast as possible from ma.
• “What tells the opponent (bag) you’re attacking at the moment” and see how many telegraphs you can eliminate.
• You must contact the bag just inside Ma. Therefore watch for “short” punches and kicks. Don’t give in to the temptation to punch/kick at a closer distance.
• Use the bag (swinging and still) for 1,000’s of repetitions to create well formed, well timed techniques – 2nd nature.
• Learn to attack the bag without thinking (Mid-Mind).
• Learn to attack opponents as you attack the bag:
  • Focused.
  • Uninhibited.
  • No reservations brought about by opponent’s size, rank, reputation.
  • “SEE IT”.