At a high level, when two people are facing each other in karate classes for adults, there is no random movement; everything is purposeful. Not only are there no random techniques, but there is also no unnecessary movement in the interaction.
As practitioners advance, techniques become stronger, allowing one to produce more force with less action, while also becoming more sensitive to the opponent’s movement and intention. Our ki energy can be projected to the opponent, requiring less physical movement to give threat and break their rhythm. This same ki energy acts as an antenna, perceiving the opponent’s energy. At this level, we can fake or project our energy at the right moment when the opponent must react, or remove our energy to create emptiness before attacking.
Even in karate classes for kids, these principles begin early, teaching young students to move efficiently, sense distance, and control their energy. I spent a lot of time sparring with Sensei Nishiyama and sometimes Aiko San without using techniques—just breathing and footwork. While it may seem unusual at first, this type of training has amazing benefits. Even if I could never beat them, I learned to close gaps, remove spaces in my own movement, and detect even the smallest openings.
Kumite becomes subtler as one appreciates the importance of breath in reacting, initiating techniques, making feints, and sealing spaces in movement. To fully use the breath for these actions, we return to the basics in kata and polish the interaction of breath, muscles, and technique.
This training eliminates “end-gaining,” as there is no point in rushing to finish. It teaches students—whether in karate classes for adults or karate classes for kids—to stay in the moment, focusing on timing rather than relying solely on speed. The goal of karate is to remove unnecessary actions and make movement pure, moving from the inside and fighting from the inside.