Student's Guide to Surviving - AMA Dojo

66
IPPON KUMITE
Ippon (ee-pone) kumite is a different animal from the last two, and
something that I consider very beneficial to traditional training.
We’ve gone from five steps down to three, and now we are going from
three to one. Although ichi=1 in Japanese counting, the ‘i’ in ippon is
another way of signifying singularity. Therefore, ippon kumite is one
step fighting.
On the surface, ippon kumite can be performed just like the last two
drills. One person steps in and makes an attack, the other person
steps back and blocks. The blocking partner then performs a
counterattack.
The really great thing about ippon is that it can be taken from a rigid
practice tool to a relaxed self defense drill. Consider this picture:
�
Fighting – How to Do It (Safely)
On top you see the classic approach where the defender is given
plenty of time and space to block. This is great when first starting out.
However, as time goes by, it is important to take off the training wheels
and practice in a more realistic environment. Ippon is easily translated
into realistic “street” scenarios where the attacker assumes a normal
posture, either hands up on guard or with no stance at all.
Learn more - http://www.ikigaiway.com