Kihon on the spot, to the count beginner
15 min · Volume: 10 reps per technique, on each side
From shizentai or kiba-dachi, to the coach's count (ichi, ni, san…): chudan-zuki, age-uke, soto-uke, uchi-uke, gedan-barai, shuto-uke. Slowly on details first, then with kime.
What you need: The group in lines, the coach in front.
Goal: Sets the correct path of the arms and the hikite.
Success: Hikite and technique arrive at the same time; the stance does not move.
Works on: Uchi-uke (uchi-ude-uke), Soto-uke (soto-ude-uke), Age-uke, Gedan-barai, Hikite (pulling hand)
Ido kihon: kihon moving in lines beginner
20 min · Volume: 5 steps forward + 5 back, per technique
Oi-zuki, age-uke + gyaku-zuki, soto-uke + empi, shuto-uke in kokutsu-dachi, mae-geri, moving with ayumi-ashi. Each step ends with kime; the coach corrects the hip height.
What you need: Lines along the length of the hall.
Goal: Links stances, footwork and technique into a single movement.
Success: The hips stay at the same height along the whole line; the technique finishes with the step.
Works on: Oi-zuki, Ayumi-ashi (normal step), Zenkutsu-dachi, Kokutsu-dachi, Shuto-uke, Mae-geri (keage / kekomi)
Makiwara / impact pad intermediate
15 min · Volume: 5 × 10 strikes per arm
Gyaku-zuki and kizami-zuki on a real target, focusing on transferring force from the ground through the hips and on contraction at impact. Mae-geri can also be done on the pad.
What you need: Makiwara or impact pad held by a partner.
Goal: Develops kime and the feel of the decisive blow.
Success: Firm impact without bending the wrist; the partner feels the push, not just a slap.
Works on: Gyaku-zuki, Kizami-zuki, Kime and contraction on impact, Mae-geri (keage / kekomi)
Kizami-zuki + gyaku-zuki on target intermediate
12 min · Volume: 4 × 10 on each guard
From a kumite guard: kizami-zuki jodan with yori-ashi, then gyaku-zuki chudan with full hip rotation, back to guard. Gradually increase the distance.
What you need: Pairs; the partner holds a focus mitt or stands in guard.
Goal: Automates the basic kumite combination.
Success: Both techniques hit the target in under one second, with a return to guard.
Works on: Kizami-zuki, Gyaku-zuki, Yori-ashi (sliding)
Geri on kick paddles intermediate
15 min · Volume: 3 × 10 per technique, on each leg
Mae-geri, mawashi-geri and yoko-geri-kekomi on the paddle, focusing on lifting the knee and retracting (hikiashi). The partner varies the paddle height.
What you need: Kick paddles or impact pad, partner.
Goal: Precision and speed in kicking.
Success: Clean kick with the correct surface (koshi, haisoku, sokuto) and landing in guard.
Works on: Mae-geri (keage / kekomi), Mawashi-geri, Yoko-geri-kekomi
Transitions between stances beginner
10 min · Volume: 5 transitions × 10
Zenkutsu → kokutsu → kiba → fudo → zenkutsu without raising the hips, then with arm techniques added. The partner checks the head height against a reference line.
What you need: Lines on the tatami.
Goal: Stability and mobility between stances, the basis for kata.
Success: The head rises no more than a few centimetres during the transition.
Works on: Zenkutsu-dachi, Kokutsu-dachi, Kiba-dachi, Fudo-dachi (sochin-dachi)
Kata by sections beginner
20 min · Volume: each section × 5, then full kata × 3
The kata is split into 3-4 sections. Each is first worked slowly on details (stances, directions), then with rhythm and kime. At the end, the full kata as in competition.
What you need: Space with the embusen marked out (tape on the tatami).
Goal: Correcting details without losing the rhythm of the whole kata.
Success: Full kata finished on the starting point, with no sequence errors.
Works on: Heian Shodan, Heian Nidan, Bassai Dai, Kanku Dai
Team kata: synchronisation intermediate
20 min · Volume: 5 full performances
The team works the kata using the front athlete as the rhythm reference, with no audible cues. It is filmed and the moments of desynchronisation are analysed, then those sections are repeated.
What you need: Three athletes in a triangle, a video camera.
Goal: Synchronising rhythm, breathing and kiai, as the judges require in team kata.
Success: The kime techniques and kiai sound as one on video playback.
Works on: Jion, Bassai Dai, Kiai and breathing (kokyu)
Bunkai in pairs intermediate
15 min · Volume: 3-4 applications × 5 in each role
The partner attacks realistically; tori applies the kata sequence (block, strike, throw). Work slowly first, then with speed and control.
What you need: Pairs, kata chosen by the coach.
Goal: Understanding the meaning of the kata techniques and the real distance.
Success: The application respects the form of the kata and ends with a controlled decisive technique.
Works on: Bunkai (kata applications), Heian Yondan, Kakiwake-uke
Gohon and sanbon kumite beginner
15 min · Volume: 5 sets in each role
The attacker announces and attacks with oi-zuki jodan / chudan (plus mae-geri in sanbon); the defender blocks while retreating and counters at the end with gyaku-zuki and kiai.
What you need: Pairs, in lines.
Goal: Distance, real target and decisive counter.
Success: The attack would hit the target if it were not blocked; the counter is stopped a few centimetres short, with kime.
Works on: Gohon kumite, Sanbon kumite, Oi-zuki, Age-uke, Soto-uke (soto-ude-uke)
Kihon ippon kumite: all attacks beginner
20 min · Volume: 6 attacks × 3 on each side
The standard attacks: oi-zuki jodan, oi-zuki chudan, mae-geri, yoko-geri-kekomi, mawashi-geri, ushiro-geri. The defender uses different blocks and varied counters, with tai-sabaki.
What you need: Pairs.
Goal: Prepares the children's kihon ippon kumite event and the belt grading.
Success: Block and counter in a single beat, with zanshin at the end.
Works on: Kihon ippon kumite, Gedan-barai, Tai-sabaki (moving off the line), Zanshin (awareness after the technique)
Enbu rehearsal intermediate
25 min · Volume: 4 full, timed performances
The choreography is worked in sequences (attack, defence, throw, finish), then in full at competition pace, timed. The real distance of the attacks is checked on video.
What you need: Pair, marked area, stopwatch, video camera.
Goal: A realistic, synchronised demonstration within the allowed time.
Success: Full performance without errors, within the time limit, with attacks at real distance.
Works on: Enbu (pairs demonstration), Unbalancing and throw (kuzushi + nage), Zanshin (awareness after the technique)