Kumite Tactics - Brief Guide
Design by Colin Constable
Copyright © 2026 Independent Karate Clubs
Both fighters must take proper care of their own safety
by maintaining an effective guard at all times.
DISTANCE
Fight at a distance which suits you and/or which is
unsuitable for your opponent.
Crowding taller opponents, so their longer reach is of
no advantage to them.
keep well back from those who prefer punches, so
they are forced always to step forward, or to rely on
kicks.
Don’t let the opponent corner you.
Always move as far as is necessary to make an
opponents attack miss - but no further.
TIMING
The aggressive fighter will move in as soon as you
begin a technique - but watch out for feints! (where
the opponents pretends to start an attack to draw
you out then delivers a technique).
Always look at the opponents head and shoulders,
and when they move be ready.
The defensive fighter waits until the opponents
technique has failed, then moves in even as it is
being retrieved.
Kicks take a long time to pull back and until they are,
the opponent’s defensive shield will be weak.
But never move too far away as you avoid the attack
or it will take too long to closer again.
If you naturally are an aggressive fighter, then
practice being a defensive fighter too because that
way, you will double your capabilities.
LINE
Always try and inch your way onto the closed side of
the opponent so they always have to turn before
he/she can launch an attack/technique at you.
Practise this by taking up left fighting stance against
somone in left stance, and by moving until both your
front feet are in line. Then turn your body slightly so
you face the opponent directly. They are now turned
slightly away from you.
TARGETING
Straight punches into the face close off the
opponents view.
Circular strikes are not nearly so effective, though
they can creep in around the very edge of the
opponent’s defensive shield.
Aim your front kicks high and to the side of your
opponents chest, where they are difficult to block.
COMBINATIONS
Overload the opponent’s defensive shield by a flurry
of effective techniques. .
The techniques must arrive at their targets in quick
succession, otherwise your opponent will see them
as single techniques and the advantage will be lost.
Space the attacking techniques out , so one goes for
the face and the second to the low stomach etc..
this forces the opponent to switch his attention from
high to low.
Mix circular with straight techniques to make things
even more difficult for them.
PSYCHE OUT THE OPPONENT
try stamping down hard with your lead foot, as
though you intend to go into your opponent - How do
they react?
If they pull back from you, then they are a defensive
fighter and you should hold back so they have to
switch onto being an attacker.
If they advance towards you, then they are an
attacking fighter and you should immediately put
them on the defensive by pushing forward and
closing them down.
VARY YOUR FIGHTING HABITS
We all have favourite techniques and tactics that
tend to appear at every sparring session. Make sure
the opponent doesn’t ‘suss out’ your next move by
being too predictable.
Change your fighting stance side often and be an
attacker AND a Defender.
Abridged - Traditional Karate
(June 2000)
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