Ipponme Gumite

One-step arranged partner work, with a clear attack, a clear defence, and a controlled counter.





Partner work guide

Overview

Ipponme Gumite is arranged partner work: one clear attack, one clear defence, then a clean counter. The aim is not to “win” the exchange, but to show correct distance, timing, posture, awareness and control.

Good Ipponme Gumite should look sharp, balanced and tidy. Both karateka should know their role, attack with commitment, defend with correct movement, and counter with accuracy and control. No extra techniques, no rushing, and no wild contact.

Distance

Correct maai comes first. If the distance is wrong, the technique will look wrong.

Timing

Do not wait too long and do not move too early. The defence should meet the attack cleanly.

Posture

Stay upright and balanced. Avoid leaning, reaching or falling into the counter.

Control

Show realistic technique without dangerous contact. Good gumite is controlled, not reckless.

What you are marked on

For the attacker

  • Correct starting stance and distance
  • Clear committed attack on the correct line
  • Good balance and posture through the step
  • Good etiquette and awareness of partner safety

For the defender

  • Correct block at the correct moment
  • Clean body movement and good footwork
  • Controlled effective counter
  • Strong finishing position and zanshin

Etiquette and safety

Before you begin

  • Stand properly and face your partner
  • Bow correctly
  • Set the right distance before starting
  • Listen for the instructor’s command

During the exchange

  • Attack with intent but stay controlled
  • Do not add extra techniques
  • Do not strike through your partner
  • Maintain awareness after the counter

Ipponme Gumite Sets

Open each set for the video, movement notes, coaching points and common faults. Use the print button to print the open set only.

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Body Blocks

The body block section has two videos in place, with full notes for both. Focus on clean footwork, proper line, and a clear finish before the counter goes in.

Body Block Gumite 1 Ichi - Chūdan Uke Ipponme Gumite (1)

Body Blocks 1

  • Attacker: Left fighting stance
  • Defender: Left fighting stance
  • Attack: Step through with a right lunge punch to the solar plexus
  • Defence and counter: Step back with a right outer body block into side stance, then slide in with a right elbow strike to the ribs

What to focus on

  • Get the body line off the attack cleanly
  • Make the block and stance finish before the elbow comes in
  • Do not overreach with the elbow
  • Keep the counter tight and controlled

Common faults

  • Blocking too high or too wide
  • Leaning back instead of moving properly
  • Sliding in before the block is complete
  • Elbow strike with poor distance
Body Block Gumite 2 Ni - Chūdan Uke Nihonme Gumite (2)

Body Blocks 2

  • Attacker: Left fighting stance
  • Defender: Left fighting stance
  • Attack: Step through with a right lunge punch to the solar plexus
  • Defence and counter: Step back with a right inside body block, take hold of the attacking wrist, adjust the rear leg, deliver a right front kick to the ribs, pull the arm to open the attacker, then finish with a left reverse punch to the kidney area

What to focus on

  • Secure the attacking arm cleanly before the kick
  • Keep your posture upright during the kick
  • Do not rush the transition from kick to reverse punch
  • Show clear control of the partner throughout

Common faults

  • Weak grip on the wrist
  • Kick thrown without balance
  • Punching before the attacker is opened up
  • Poor final stance or loss of posture

Head Blocks

The head block section already has all four videos in place. The guidance below focuses on how to train each set well without adding details that were not originally written down.

Head Block Gumite 1 Ichi - Jodan Uke Ipponme Gumite (1)

Head Blocks 1

  • Attacker: Left fighting stance
  • Defender: Left fighting stance
  • Attack: Step and right lunge punch to the head
  • Defence and counter: Step back with a left head block across the body into side stance, uppercut to the chin with the right hand, then step in and deliver a left elbow strike to the ribs

What to focus on

  • Move the head safely off the attack line
  • Keep the left hand alive and organised
  • Uppercut should be short and direct
  • Step into the elbow only after the first counter is complete

Common faults

  • Standing too square under the attack
  • Uppercut too wide
  • Elbow delivered from the wrong distance
  • Losing posture during the step in
Head Block Gumite 2 Ni - Jodan Uke Nihonme Gumite (2)

Head Blocks 2

  • Attacker: Left fighting stance
  • Defender: Right fighting stance
  • Attack: Step and right lunge punch to the head
  • Defence and counter: Step back and slightly right on an angle, use a left head block, take hold of the attacking arm and the back of the neck, then pull into a right knee strike to the stomach

What to focus on

  • Use the angle to avoid the attack, not just the block
  • Control the partner carefully before the knee strike
  • Knee must be balanced and controlled
  • Keep the final position stable

Common faults

  • Moving straight back instead of off line
  • Grabbing too late
  • Knee strike without posture
  • Poor control on the neck and arm
Head Block Gumite 3 San - Jodan Uke Sanbonme Gumite (3)

Head Blocks 3

  • Attacker: Left fighting stance
  • Defender: Right fighting stance
  • Attack: Step and right lunge punch to the head
  • Defence and counter: Step back with the right foot while leaving the front foot in place, twist the hips left and deliver a flowing punch to the chin, then adjust and deliver a right round kick to the midriff

What to focus on

  • Use the hip twist to create the opening
  • Keep the flowing punch short and accurate
  • Adjust the base foot before the round kick
  • Control the kick height and distance

Common faults

  • Too much upper body lean
  • Punching and kicking as one blurred action
  • Round kick without proper chamber
  • Lack of balance after the kick
Head Block Gumite 4 Shi - Jodan Uke Yohonme Gumite (4)

Head Blocks 4

  • Attacker: Left fighting stance
  • Defender: Right fighting stance
  • Attack: Step and right lunge punch to the head
  • Defence and counter: Step back into knife-hand stance and use an inverse inside elbow-style block to take the punch off line, slide in to horse stance with a left backfist to the midriff, then step into reverse-punch stance and finish with a right ridge-hand strike to the solar plexus

What to focus on

  • Move the attacking arm off line cleanly
  • Keep the slide into horse stance low and stable
  • Backfist should be sharp and controlled
  • Finish the ridge-hand with good line and posture

Common faults

  • Weak initial block line
  • Horse stance too high or too narrow
  • Backfist thrown too wide
  • Ridge-hand without proper body support

Kick Blocks

The kick-block section already has all six videos in place. The guidance below focuses on how to train them well without adding details that were not originally written down.

Kick Block Gumite 1 Ichi - Chūdan Maegeri Uke Ipponme Gumite (1)

Kick Blocks 1

  • Attacker: Left fighting stance
  • Defender: Left fighting stance
  • Attack: Front kick to the defender’s belt level
  • Defence and counter: Move the front foot to the left and use a left downward sweeping block with a clockwise motion, using the left palm to guide the kick to your right. Then step the left foot back in line and finish with a right reverse punch to the exposed ribs.

What to focus on

  • Move the body off the kick line, not just the hand
  • Use the palm and forearm together to redirect the kick
  • Keep your posture upright through the block
  • Make the reverse punch clean and direct

Common faults

  • Trying to stop the kick without moving the feet
  • Blocking too late
  • Letting the block drift too wide
  • Punching before balance is recovered
Kick Block Gumite 2 Ni - Chūdan Maegeri Uke Nihonme Gumite (2)

Kick Blocks 2

  • Attacker: Left fighting stance
  • Defender: Right fighting stance
  • Attack: Front kick to the defender’s belt level
  • Defence and counter: Step the right foot back, then move the front foot to the left. Use a left downward sweeping block with a clockwise motion, using the left palm to guide the kick to your right. Step the left foot back in line and finish with a right reverse punch to the exposed ribs.

What to focus on

  • Set the distance first with the rear step
  • Keep the block line smooth and controlled
  • Do not lean away from the kick
  • Recover into a strong stance before punching

Common faults

  • Rear step too big or too small
  • Hands and feet moving at different times
  • Weak redirection of the kick
  • Reverse punch without proper body support
Kick Block Gumite 3 San - Chūdan Maegeri Uke Sanbonme Gumite (3)

Kick Blocks 3

  • Attacker: Left fighting stance
  • Defender: Left fighting stance
  • Attack: Sliding one-step front kick
  • Defence and counter: Step the left foot back, then move the front foot to the right. Use a right downward sweeping block with a clockwise motion, using the right palm to guide the kick to your left. Step the right foot back in line and finish with a left reverse punch to the exposed ribs.

What to focus on

  • Recognise the sliding attack early
  • Keep the foot movement neat and economical
  • Redirect the kick, do not clash into it
  • Finish the left reverse punch with strong posture

Common faults

  • Moving too late against the sliding kick
  • Using the wrong side for the block
  • Feet crossing during the adjustment
  • Poor hip use on the final punch
Kick Block Gumite 4 Shi - Chūdan Maegeri Uke Yohonme Gumite (4)

Kick Blocks 4

  • Attacker: Left fighting stance
  • Defender: Left fighting stance
  • Attack: Front kick to the defender’s belt level, with only the knee lifted
  • Defence and counter: Drop forward onto the left leg, using the left forearm to block the attacker’s leg at the knee, while delivering a right reverse punch to the solar plexus or groin.

What to focus on

  • Time the drop forward carefully
  • Make the forearm contact strong but controlled
  • Keep the punch line direct
  • Stay stable on the supporting leg

Common faults

  • Going too early and crashing in
  • Blocking too low instead of at the knee line
  • Dropping the head and shoulders
  • Punch delivered without balance
Kick Block Gumite 5 Go - Chūdan Maegeri Uke Gohonme Gumite (5)

Kick Blocks 5

  • Attacker: Left fighting stance
  • Defender: Right fighting stance
  • Attack: Front kick to the defender’s belt level
  • Defence and counter: Slide and turn slightly to your left at about 45 degrees, using a right downward sweeping block behind you. Then step back towards the attacker and finish with a left reverse punch to the ribs.

What to focus on

  • Use the angle to remove the target
  • Keep the slide smooth and compact
  • Make the rear sweeping block clear
  • Step back in with confidence for the punch

Common faults

  • Turning too much or too little
  • Block not matching the angle of the body
  • Weak return step toward the attacker
  • Punch finishing off line
Kick Block Gumite 6 Roku - Chūdan Maegeri Uke Ropponme Gumite (6)

Kick Blocks 6

  • Attacker: Left fighting stance
  • Defender: Left fighting stance
  • Attack: Sliding one-step front kick
  • Defence and counter: Slide and turn slightly to your right at about 45 degrees, using a left downward sweeping block behind you. Then step back towards the attacker and finish with a right reverse punch to the ribs.

What to focus on

  • Read the sliding attack early
  • Keep the turn tight and efficient
  • Make the rear sweeping block clear and controlled
  • Finish the reverse punch in balance with zanshin

Common faults

  • Moving too late against the sliding kick
  • Turning the wrong direction
  • Weak block behind the body line
  • Falling into the final punch

Grading tips

To score well

  • Start from the correct stance without fidgeting
  • Make the attack realistic and committed
  • Show a proper block before the counter
  • Keep the counter clear, tidy and controlled
  • Finish in balance with awareness

What often loses marks

  • Wrong starting foot or stance
  • Poor distance
  • Messy or rushed transitions
  • Too much contact
  • Adding extra movements not in the set

Quick glossary

Jun-zuki: lunge punch
Gyaku-zuki: reverse punch
Soto-uke: outer block
Uchi-uke: inner block
Jodan: upper level / head
Chudan: middle level / body
Empi: elbow strike
Mae-geri: front kick
Mawashi-geri: round kick

FAQs

Do I need sparring kit?
Not usually for arranged gumite, but bring a gumshield or mitts if your instructor asks or if kumite is also being assessed.
What loses marks?
Wrong distance, messy stance, extra techniques, lack of control, weak etiquette and poor awareness after the counter.
What is the most important thing to practise?
Start with stance, distance and timing. If those are right, the techniques become much easier to make look sharp.
Should the attacker make the attack realistic?
Yes. A weak or lazy attack makes the whole exchange look poor. The attack should be clear and committed, but still controlled and safe.

Keep studying the gumite syllabus

Return to the gumite section of the syllabus or jump back to the top of this page to review the Ipponme sets again.

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