In Goju-Ryu Meibu-kan, Dojos practice forms of Yakusoku Kumite only. Yakusoku Kumite means pre-arranged sparring. There is no practice of Jiyu Kumite or free sparring. There has never been free fighting in classical Okinawan Goju-Ryu.

In Jiyu Kumite, Karate becomes a sport, and classical Karate is not a sport. Okinawans practice Karate-Do, meaning the way of the empty hand. Also Jiyu Kumite can hinder the development of good Karate techniques, especially in Okinawan Goju-Ryu, where the emphasis is ending the fight with one devastating technique (Hito Tsuki).

Here is a list of different forms of Meibu-kan Yakusoku Kumite:

1. Renzoku Kumite - continuous sparring (2 person fighting).
2. Kakomi Kumite - surrounded sparring (5 person fighting).
3. Ippon Kumite - one step sparring.
4. Nihon Kumite - two step sparring.
5. Sanpo Kumite - three step sparring.

Benefits of Yakusoku Kumite are many. MA AI or distance and timing are two of the more important benefits. Accuracy, speed and power are also skills that are increased through repetitious practice of yakusoku kumite. Also, during the execution of these drills the students must not anticipate the pre arranged attack - the student must learn to block off the attack and not off the teacher's count. Stay tune for more theory on Kumite in the coming weeks!