How to do Kumite in class

[Miz P]

Hi,
First a little background: I am assisting in karate groups for children with learning disabilities, sensory and motor or communication problems. The children are referred to us by different therapists, and the groups are considered to be therapeutic, the children often getting other therapy besides. The groups are run by an occupational therapist and a karate instructor, ni dan in Shotokan. I hope to run my own groups soon (forgot to mention, I'm a physical therapist, training in KanReiKai, a spin off of Kyokushin).

It is called karate but actually it is a few kihon movements, some coordination drills and games. Not much Kata and absolutely no Kumite, which brings me to my question: their argument against Kumite is that these children tend to be aggressive and sparring will only make things worse. I argue that avoiding it will not change anything, and restraint can be practiced and taught.
I would like your opinions and experience: how can I let them practice Kumite, yet restrain them and make sure they don't hurt themselves and their friends.

[Goju]

hmmmmm.

Maybe suit them up with pads, and make it no contact sparring. That way if they decide to attack eachother the pads will prevent injuries long enough for your to break it up. For non contact sparring, you can enforce the "bubble" rule, where their friends have an imaginary bubble around them and they are in no way to penetrate it. To combat the violence issue, you could use disciplinary measures such as pushups or exclusion from games and other stuff if they start acting up and using contact. I guess that would be a way of showing that violence isn't allowed in sparring. I don't know what you could do if you wanted to teach them to spar with contact.

[davey boy]

hi miz p,
firstly i say well done for your work with those children not lucky enough to be called .... normal.....
secondly , i believe that you should not teach these children kumite ( or any child for that matter) you answer your own question, when you note.learning difficulty, communication skills and sensory problems and then put them on a mat, pumped full of adrenaline - just like adults in a tournament- and padded or not tell them to fight and just watch as autistic johnny throws all comers into the floor hard . when you ask him why later he will simply tell ... because i wanted to , it was fun....and you get left with the bill. no miz p i firmly believe that what you do already is enough for these children, vary the games ,make getting fit fun ,start to teach them some discipline ,but please leave the kumite to the adults

keep up the good work , its a difficult task you have and i wish you great success in it

[Miz P]

I disagree, davey boy. Firstly, these kids are normal, they only have some problems that can be treated. Besides, lately I saw a group of CP children in a Karate class, some of them incapable of walking and using wheelchairs yet they did kumite in karate class. It didn't get violent, but the kids were very determined to win (using their poor resources) and that was what we wanted to achieve - pride and self respect, attempting to win.
In my organization we have a few children with ADHD, and in spite of the fact that we do full contact karate they have never lost control. In fact, they gained self control from doing karate.
I am definitely going to do kumite, I'm just trying to figure out how. In the classes I assist they hardly used to do any work in pairs. When I run the class I always make them work in pairs. I want them to learn to notice the other person, to respect him,to be able to work with him. So far it hasn't made them fight more or try to hurt one another. It teaches them to keep a little distance (these kids tend to be all over one another), look the other kid in the eye.
Now I want to introduce them to targets and blockers so they start sparring but still not directly.

[batfink]

That sounds like a difficult job you have, and all credit to you. How many adults can you get your hands on? Maybe you could have them only spar with an adult? In our kids class the others will sit and watch during this period. If this isn't possible (as attention-span is an issue or whatever) You could have someone taking the majority of the kids doing whatever game/drill etc at one end of the room, while 2 adults spar with 2 kids elsewhere? I guess, with enough supervision and only with beginners, you could do this even if the adults aren't well trained. Pad them (the adults) right up, and ensure the kids keep it very light. It takes more time (as inevitably your kids will outnumber the adults) but you can tweak it until it fits.

Anyway, good luck and don't give up trying to find a way!

[JAMJTX]

Perhaps start off with Ippon Kumite (with no contact of course). Here they will learn the control needed for the no contact sparring. Then ease them into the no contact free sparring based on thier progress.

They can begin by sparring with one of the instructors then move on to spar with students later.

[Miz P]

Perhaps start off with Ippon Kumite (with no contact of course). Here they will learn the control needed for the no contact sparring. Then ease them into the no contact free sparring based on thier progress.

They can begin by sparring with one of the instructors then move on to spar with students later.

What do you mean by Ippon Kumite? I'm not familiar with this and would appreciate it if you explain. Thnx

[JAMJTX]

The english term is "One Step Sparring".
You have an attacker (uke) and a defender (tori).
Both the attack and defense are predefined.
Uke and tori face each and bow. You can either have uke take a fighting stance and tori stand in yoi dachi (ready stance) or both in a fighting stance.
Tori signals when he is ready for the attack (usually with a kiai).
Uke attacks and tori executes the predefined defense and counter attack.

Uke does not continue the attack with a follow up technique. If he is attacking with a face punch, he makes the punch and stops, staying in that position until tori finishes his defensive technique.

Neither of the 2 will make actual contact.

This should give them enough practice to learn basic kumite skills and develop the control they need for no contact sparring.

If they handle this well you can start them on free sparring.

[Miz P]

Thanks, JAMJTX
That was very helpful.

[JAMJTX]

feel free to contact me directly on this or related issues.
jim@jimmccoy.com

[Bograt]

As an ex learning disabilities support worker myself you may find that the objections on kumite is comming from a few sources 1. the parents who can be over protective ( quite rightly ) 2. The support worker versus acountability / insurance / risk, 3. Support plan = case notes i.e this person and others involved in that individuals care team will have information about these children that you will not be priivy too.

The idea of getting a couple of adults to pad up and allow the children to put the techniques into practical use on a living moving target in theory is a good one. However in practice there are many other issues such as the individuals interpritation of what they are doing and how this my be taken over into that individuals everyday life. Risk, risk, risk ( but you have choice of that individual in your arsenal.

I am all for people being treated equaly irespective of ability/disability and my association ( C.M.A.A ) actively encourages the involvement of people who would under other cercumstances give martial arts a whide berth.

If this is something you feel passionate about then the only thing to do is ask to be involved in individual care meetings with an outline of why you feel that individual will benefit from taking that additional step. As you are part of that individuals care package you have the right to be involved, at the end of the day You will take the flack with everyone else if things where to go wrong.

Good on you for the work your doing and keep breaking down the barriers.

[Davey Bones]

I think the one-step idea is great.

Another suggestion I would have would be the pads. And perhaps the big, padded bats, the ones that look like giant q-tips? We use those a lot with both the kids and the adults for sparring drills. It lets them get a bit aggressive, but keeps the "attacker" at a safe distance. The advantage in my mind to both of these is that you get to teach them control without actually telling them you're doing it :) I know the kids love iot when we break out the pads because they get to hit things; it's a kid thing I guess, lol. But once they've learned a bit of control from the one steps and the pads, I don't see a reason why you can't have them work on light sparring; ie use the one steps with padding and light contact. Hopefully by the time you work up to it, they'll have enough control where it'll be safe and fun for every one involved.

I have to say good luck, by the way. It's nice to see that you're trying to give somethng back to the community :)