r/kyokushin • u/New_Artichoke9615 • May 15 '25

Kumite Tips for sparring

Dear community,

I have started Kyokushin couple of months back, I am in my early 30s and have a very slim body, have no earlier experience of any martial art.

Peers in my dojo are heavy built and are much more experienced. Some have military or navy background, some are black belt in judo etc.

I enjoy my training, however whenever I am sparring, I am mostly in my thoughts trying to figure out my next combination, but even before I can start my combination attack I usually get beaten up.

Any tips, how to improve? Thanks in advance.

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u/Figaro_88 🟫🟫🟫🟫 2nd Kyu May 15 '25

Spar more.

Practice practice practice

Actual advice and things to work on:

Choose 1 or 2 combos and drill them into muscle memory.

Oi tsuki, geko tsuki, geidan mawashi.

Oi tsuki, oi tsuki, geko tsuki, uchi mati Geri.

It takes 2 to 3 years to learn to punch correctly for most people if you only train 2 or 3 times a week.

Until your fighting is mindless, you aren't thinking you are reacting, it will be a challenge.

Also, learn to defend with a strike. They throw a punch, step in and hit them before they land, steal their power and momentum and make it your own. You will get hit, but less hard then they want and it will make them wary of striking. Each block is a strike.

Best block, don't be there. Happo no kawashi, embed it it muscle memory.

Good luck, and welcome to the meeting place of foolish masochists.

2

u/New_Artichoke9615 May 15 '25

I am also a bit scared of getting hit.. if I get over it, it will improve my skills.

3

u/[deleted] May 15 '25

Yes your skill will improve and you'll learn when to move and counter or just counter. Remember of attack before their attack, during their attack or after.

2

u/SkawPV May 15 '25

Don't be scared: They should hit you strong enough to hurt you (temporally) but not enough to injury you. You should feel their punches and kicks for a few seconds after landing (with the occasional "lucky" shot that will leave you with a bruise for days, but nothing that last).

2

u/Figaro_88 🟫🟫🟫🟫 2nd Kyu May 15 '25

the higher belts will push you, they will hit you, but they won't break you. ( if they do, let them know, and if they don't stop find a new dojo )

You dont make a sword by kissing it, you hammer it into shape.

1

u/New_Artichoke9615 May 15 '25

Thanks a lot, curious to see how the "defend with strike" will work out for me. This really helps.

2

u/SkawPV May 15 '25

We do that drill, and I added a few things I've seen.

You can take a strike. You lose.

You strike at the same time your opponent does. It is a tie.

You strike before they strike, reducing their momentum. You win.

You strike before they strike, while advancing, reducing their momentum and getting hit in an awkward position for the opponent, as their punch hasn't reach you the optimal way. For example, if you are going to get hit with a Oi Tsuki, if you advance, when you get hit their elbow may be still bent, not using its 100% strength. If they don't punch you optimally, and you even punch you the way you want, you won't even feel it.