Partner work guide
Overview
Kihon Gumite represents the foundation of sparring in Wado-Ryu Karate. It uses pre-arranged partner drills to develop timing, distance, body movement, posture and technical accuracy.
These sets are not just about remembering a pattern. They teach how to move off the line, receive the attack cleanly, create the right angle and finish with a controlled counter.
Good Kihon Gumite should look sharp, balanced and believable. Both karateka should know their role, attack with commitment, defend with correct movement and counter with control.
Distance
Correct maai comes first. If the distance is wrong, the set will not work properly.
Timing
Do not move too early and do not move too late. The defence should meet the attack at the right moment.
Posture
Stay upright and balanced. Avoid leaning, reaching or collapsing into the counter.
Control
Show realistic technique without reckless contact. Kihon Gumite must stay safe and disciplined.
What matters most
For the attacker
- Correct starting stance and distance
- Clear committed attack on the proper line
- Good balance and posture through the step
- Awareness of the partner’s safety
For the defender
- Correct body movement and angle
- Clean block or receiving action
- Controlled and effective counter
- Strong finishing position and zanshin
Etiquette and safety
Before you begin
- Stand properly and face your partner
- Bow correctly
- Set the correct distance
- 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
Kihon Gumite Sets
Open each set for the video, movement notes, coaching points and common faults.
Kihon Gumite – Ipponme (1)
- Attacker: Right fighting stance
- Defender: Right fighting stance
- Attack: Lunge forward with right tobikomizuki.
- Defence: Slide to the left and cover the attack with right glancing block.
- Follow-up: Attacker moves in with right gyakuzuki no tsukomi chudan.
- Finish: Defender twists away, covers with right outer block and counters with left one-knuckle punch to middle level.
What to focus on
- Move the body off the line cleanly
- Do not rush the second response
- Keep the final punch direct and controlled
Kihon Gumite – Nihonme (2)
- Attacker: Right fighting stance
- Defender: Right fighting stance
- Attack: Lunge forward with right tobikomizuki.
- Defence: Slide to the left and cover the attack with right glancing block.
- Follow-up: Attacker delivers surikomi sokuto chudan.
- Finish: Defender moves left again, blocks the kick with the right arm, steps in between the legs, breaks stance with the knee, and counters with palm heel and ridge-hand strikes.
What to focus on
- Keep the angle on the second movement
- Block the kick cleanly before stepping in
- Maintain control throughout the close finish
Kihon Gumite – Sanbonme (3)
- Attacker: Right fighting stance
- Defender: Right fighting stance
- Attack: Lunge forward with right tobikomizuki.
- Defence: Slide left and cover with right glancing block.
- Follow-up: Attacker adjusts feet, changes guard and lifts for left maegeri chudan.
- Finish: Defender drops onto the attacker’s right leg and strikes with one-knuckle fists to chest and inner thigh or knee line.
What to focus on
- Time the entry as the knee lifts
- Keep the body compact and balanced
- Do not crash in too early
Kihon Gumite – Yohonme (4)
- Attacker: Left fighting stance
- Defender: Right fighting stance
- Attack: Lunge forward with left tobikomizuki.
- Defence: Slide left and cover with right glancing block.
- Follow-up: Attacker slides in and throws right gyakuzuki jodan.
- Finish: Defender leans away, sweeps with left inner block, steps in and counters with right one-knuckle punch to the underarm or ribs while controlling the arm.
What to focus on
- Move off line, do not just lean
- Keep the controlling hand active
- Counter with clean distance and posture
Kihon Gumite – Gohonme (5)
- Attacker: Left fighting stance
- Defender: Right fighting stance
- Attack: Lunge forward with left tobikomizuki.
- Defence: Slide left and cover with right glancing block.
- Follow-up: Attacker performs right gyakuzuki chudan.
- Finish: Defender twists away, blocks, grips, strikes with haito and empi, applies the lock, throws over the shoulder and finishes under control on the ground.
What to focus on
- Keep each stage clear and controlled
- Do not rush the lock or throw
- Partner safety is essential here
Kihon Gumite – Ropponme (6)
- Attacker: Left fighting stance
- Defender: Right fighting stance
- Attack: Left tobikomizuki jodan.
- Defence: Slide left and cover with right glancing block.
- Follow-up: Attacker delivers surikomi sokuto chudan and right gyakuzuki jodan.
- Finish: Defender blocks the kick with the right arm, rotates and blocks the punch with the back of the open right hand, then counters with a left one-knuckle punch under the attacker’s right arm.
What to focus on
- Keep the second movement smooth
- Stay balanced through the rotation
- Finish the counter directly and cleanly
Kihon Gumite – Nanahonme (7)
- Attacker: Left fighting stance
- Defender: Right fighting stance
- Attack: Left tobikomizuki jodan.
- Defence: Slide left and cover with right glancing block.
- Follow-up: Attacker prepares right mawashigeri chudan.
- Finish: Defender performs right nagashizuki to the neck line while covering the kick with left gedan barai.
What to focus on
- Read the kick preparation early
- Keep the line of the nagashizuki tidy
- Make the block and counter land together
Kihon Gumite – Hachihonme (8)
- Attacker: Right fighting stance
- Defender: Right fighting stance
- Attack: Right tobikomizuki chudan.
- Defence: Rotate slightly left and block with right uchi-uke.
- Follow-up: Attacker throws left gyakuzuki jodan.
- Finish: Defender raises the right elbow to block, rotates, drops the strike line, slides in with right empi to the ribs and unbalances the attacker using arm and knee control.
What to focus on
- Make each stage distinct
- Keep the elbow block tight
- Control the final balance break safely
Kihon Gumite – Kyuhonme (9)
- Attacker: Right fighting stance
- Defender: Right fighting stance
- Attack: Right tobikomizuki chudan.
- Defence: Rotate slightly left and block with right uchi-uke.
- Follow-up: Attacker throws left gyakuzuki jodan.
- Finish: Defender twists away from the second punch, covers with right outer block and counters with left one-knuckle punch to the throat line.
What to focus on
- Do not over-turn
- Keep the outer block compact
- Make the final counter accurate and controlled
Kihon Gumite – Jipponme (10)
- Attacker: Right fighting stance
- Defender: Right fighting stance
- Attack: Right tobikomizuki chudan.
- Defence: Rotate slightly left and block with open right uchi-uke.
- Follow-up: Attacker throws left gyakuzuki jodan.
- Finish: Defender slides in, controls the shoulder and arm line, rotates underneath, brings the attacker behind, lifts the leg and completes the throw with control.
What to focus on
- Keep the control points organised
- Do not rush under the arm
- Partner safety is essential in the throw
Training tips
To perform well
- Set the distance properly before starting
- Attack with commitment
- Move the body, not just the arms
- Make the counter clear and controlled
- Finish in balance with zanshin
What often goes wrong
- Wrong maai
- Moving too early
- Messy stance changes
- Weak posture
- Too much contact
FAQs
What matters most in Kihon Gumite?
Correct distance, correct body movement, a believable attack, a controlled defence and a clear finish.
Should Kihon Gumite be fast?
Not at first. Train it slowly and cleanly before building pace.
What loses marks most often?
Wrong maai, poor timing, untidy footwork, weak posture and lack of control.
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 Kihon sets again.