Kumite [組み手] sparring or "paired karate kata", in the 1920's, under the leadership of Gichin Funakoshi, a system of elementary sparring was devised. This gradually morphed into modern day competitive match style sparring, i.e. tournament sparring for points. It is believed that until karate was exposed to Japanese influences where the concept of focusing the techniques just short of full contact that this change made competitive sparring possible.
Sparring was meant to teach the practitioner about proper application of the fundamental principles of martial systems, i.e. theory, physiokinetics, techniques and philosophy, i.e. body shifting, proper hand, foot, etc. techniques, distancing, timing, and so on.
Two types were developed, i.e. first a mode or model where the techniques are predetermined and agreed upon in advance; and second a free-style, in which nothing is predetermined. The predetermined sparring is actually "drilling" where those techniques and counter-techniques are practiced over and over and over again much like the practice of kata.
To fully embrace the training and practice that is karate or any martial art for that matter requires a full understanding of what it takes to achieve proficiency or mastery. This can seem daunting until it is understood that truly learning a martial system is not done in a set lesson plan but takes a lot of work over a long period of time. It is not just about learning a few techniques, a few combinations and a few kata but much more. This kumite regimen is only a small but intricate part of learning a system.
Bibliography:
Nishiyama, Hidetaka. "Karate the Art of Empty Hand Fighting." Tuttle Publishing. Vermont. 1960.
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