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Combination Technique

Combination line work, belt progression, grading guidance and competition routines.





Overview — Combination Line Work

Combination training is the link between basics and application. In class, the instructor names the set, the class answers “Osu!”, and the sequence is performed one technique at a time until it is complete. You then pause, reset, and wait for the next call.

This work develops rhythm, stance placement, hip use, guard recovery and the ability to stay tidy while moving at speed. It is not just about remembering what comes next. It is about making each action clear, controlled and effective.

  • ✓ Hear the call clearly: visualise the set before you move.
  • ✓ One count, one action: no extra hands, no extra steps.
  • ✓ Finish then reset: settle the posture before the next command.
  • ✓ Turn and kiai cleanly: sharp pivot, strong spirit, then reset.

Combination Training — What We’re Looking For

Combination work should look sharp, organised and purposeful. We are looking for clean technique, correct rhythm and good control rather than speed alone.

Execution and flow

  • Start on the call without hesitation.
  • Place the foot, then deliver the technique.
  • Use the hips and shoulders, not just the arms.
  • Recover your guard between actions.
  • Finish the last technique with focus and control.

Class mechanics

  • Listen carefully to the named set.
  • Keep the same pace as the class.
  • Turn sharply when called.
  • Use one clear kiai when required.
  • Maintain awareness of spacing and safety.

Assessment notes

  • Clean lines under pace and no drift in direction.
  • Consistent stance height and foot placement.
  • Good body timing on strikes and kicks.
  • Clear resets, strong spirit and tidy presentation.

Belt Combination Syllabus

These are the set combinations for each grade. Learn the order first, then improve the quality, timing and control.

Yellow Belt Yellow Belt Tab   8 Kyu – Yellow Belt
Maegeri chudan → Tobikomizuki jodan
Front kick to body → snap punch to head. Do not change guard.
Surikomi maegeri chudan → Tobikomizuki jodan
One-step front kick to body → snap punch to head. Do not change guard.
Maegeri chudan → Gyakuzuki chudan
Front kick to body → reverse punch to body. Change guard.
Surikomi maegeri chudan → Gyakuzuki chudan
One-step front kick to body → reverse punch to body. Do not change guard.
Download PDF
Orange Belt Orange Belt Tab   7 Kyu – Orange Belt
Maegeri chudan → Mawashigeri chudan → Gyakuzuki chudan
Front kick body → roundhouse body → reverse punch body.
Surikomi maegeri chudan → Mawashigeri chudan → Gyakuzuki chudan
One-step front kick body → roundhouse body → reverse punch body.
Download PDF
Green Belt Green Belt Tab   6 Kyu – Green Belt
Maegeri chudan → Sokuto chudan → Gyakuzuki chudan
Front kick body → side kick body → reverse punch body.
Surikomi maegeri chudan → Sokuto chudan → Gyakuzuki chudan
One-step front kick body → side kick body → reverse punch body.
Download PDF
Blue Belt Blue Belt Tab   5 Kyu – Blue Belt
Mawashigeri chudan → Ushirogeri chudan → Gyakuzuki chudan
Roundhouse body → back kick body → reverse punch body.
Surikomi sokuto chudan → Ushirogeri chudan → Uraken jodan
One-step side kick body → back kick body → backfist head.
Download PDF
Purple Belt Purple Belt Tab   4 Kyu – Purple Belt
Maegeri chudan → Nagashizuki jodan → Gyakuzuki chudan
Front kick body → slipping punch head → reverse punch body.
Surikomi maegeri chudan → Nagashizuki jodan → Gyakuzuki chudan → Mawashigeri chudan
One-step front kick body → slipping punch head → reverse punch body → roundhouse body.
Maegeri chudan → Sokuto chudan → Ushirogeri chudan → Gyakuzuki chudan
Front kick body → side kick body → back kick body → reverse punch body.
Download PDF
Brown Belt 1st Red Tab   3 Kyu – 1st Brown Belt
Surikomi maegeri chudan → Mawashigeri chudan → Ushirogeri chudan → Uraken jodan
One-step front kick body → roundhouse body → back kick body → backfist head.
Maegeri chudan → Nagashizuki jodan → Gyakuzuki chudan → Mawashigeri chudan
Front kick body → slipping punch head → reverse punch body → roundhouse body.
Surikomi maegeri chudan → Sokuto chudan → Ushirogeri chudan → Uraken jodan
One-step front kick body → side kick body → back kick body → backfist head.
Download PDF
Brown Belt 2nd Red Tab   2 Kyu – 2nd Brown Belt
Surikomi maegeri chudan → Nagashizuki jodan → Mawashigeri jodan
One-step front kick body → slipping punch head → roundhouse head.
Maegeri chudan → Sokuto chudan → Ushirogeri chudan → Gyakuzuki chudan
Front kick body → side kick body → back kick body → reverse punch body.
Zenshinshite jodan → Renzuki chudan → Surikomi maegeri chudan → Mawashigeri chudan → Gyakuzuki chudan
Stepping punch head → reverse punch body → one-step front kick body → roundhouse body → reverse punch body.
Download PDF
Brown Belt Black Tab   1 Kyu – 3rd Brown Belt
Zenshinshite jodan → Renzuki chudan → Maegeri chudan → Mawashigeri chudan → Ushirogeri chudan → Gyakuzuki chudan
Stepping punch head → reverse punch body → front kick body → roundhouse body → back kick body → reverse punch body.
Surikomi jodan → Renzuki chudan → Surikomi maegeri chudan → Mawashigeri chudan → Ushirogeri chudan → Uraken jodan
One-step punch head → reverse punch body → one-step front kick body → roundhouse body → back kick body → backfist head.
Zenshinshite jodan → Renzuki chudan → Maegeri chudan → Nagashizuki jodan → Gyakuzuki chudan → Mawashigeri chudan
Stepping punch head → reverse punch body → front kick body → slipping punch head → reverse punch body → roundhouse body.
Download PDF
Black Belt   1st Dan – Black Belt
Zenshinshitte jodan → Renzuki chudan → Mawashigeri chudan → Ushirogeri chudan → Gyakuzuki chudan
Stepping punch head → reverse punch body → roundhouse body → back kick body → reverse punch body.
Zenshinshitte jodan → Renzuki chudan → Surikomi maegeri chudan → Nagashizuki jodan → Gyakuzuki chudan → Mawashigeri chudan
Stepping punch head → reverse punch body → one-step front kick body → slipping punch head → reverse punch body → roundhouse body.
Surikomi jodan → Renzuki chudan → Maegeri chudan → Sokuto chudan → Ushirogeri chudan → Uraken jodan
One-step punch head → reverse punch body → front kick body → side kick body → back kick body → backfist head.

Readiness & Process

  1. Confirm with your instructor which combination sets are required for your grade.
  2. Ensure your SKF licence and insurance are current.
  3. Practise hearing the call, answering with the class, and completing the set one action at a time.
  4. Work on stance placement, hip timing, breath and guard recovery.
  5. Attend pre-grading checks where possible.
  6. On grading day, arrive early, warm up properly and keep your presentation tidy.
  7. Take feedback seriously and use it to improve your timing, rhythm and control.

FAQs

What is being judged in combination work?
Sequence accuracy, stance quality, rhythm, body timing, control, guard recovery and the clarity of each finished action.
Do I need to memorise the full set list?
Yes, for your own grade. You should be able to recognise the call quickly and perform the set without hesitation.
How should I practise at home?
Work slowly first. Place the foot, then perform the technique. Build rhythm only once the sequence is clean.
What loses marks most often?
Rushing, weak stances, poor guard recovery, missing the pause/reset, untidy turns and unclear finishes.

Downloads

Competition Routines (Kumite)

In kumite, most people fall back on one or two favourite routines when the pressure is on. That is normal, but it also makes you predictable. A good target is to learn at least 10 simple routines, drill them on both sides, and practise changing the finish so your opponent cannot read the pattern.

How to stop becoming predictable

  • Learn the combo, then build two different finishes.
  • Change rhythm — for example fast-fast-pause or fast-pause-fast.
  • Change the line slightly before the final score.
  • Always recover guard and distance after the last technique.

Simple 3-move kumite combinations

  1. Kizami-zuki jodan → Mae-geri chudan → Gyaku-zuki chudan
    Jab head → front kick body → reverse punch body
  2. Kizami-zuki jodan → Gyaku-zuki chudan → Kizami-zuki jodan
    Jab head → reverse punch body → jab head
  3. Oi-zuki chudan → Mae-geri chudan → Gyaku-zuki chudan
    Stepping punch body → front kick body → reverse punch body
  4. Oi-zuki jodan → Gyaku-zuki chudan → Mae-geri chudan
    Stepping punch head → reverse punch body → front kick body
  5. Nagashi-zuki jodan → Mae-geri chudan → Gyaku-zuki chudan
    Slipping punch head → front kick body → reverse punch body
  6. Kizami-zuki jodan → Mawashi-geri chudan → Gyaku-zuki chudan
    Jab head → roundhouse body → reverse punch body
  7. Gyaku-zuki chudan → Mawashi-geri chudan → Gyaku-zuki chudan
    Reverse punch body → roundhouse body → reverse punch body
  8. Mae-geri chudan → Kizami-zuki jodan → Gyaku-zuki chudan
    Front kick body → jab head → reverse punch body
  9. Mawashi-geri chudan → Gyaku-zuki chudan → Kizami-zuki jodan
    Roundhouse body → reverse punch body → jab head
  10. Kizami-zuki jodan → Gyaku-zuki chudan → Mawashi-geri chudan
    Jab head → reverse punch body → roundhouse body

Tip: learn a small set properly first, then add variations in target, timing and finish.