Editing Karate (section)

===Kumite===
{{Main|Kumite}}
[[File:からて.jpg|thumb|[[Bōgutsuki Karate|Bōgutsuki]], a form of full-contact karate fought with [[Bōgu|armour]], one of the competition formats for kumite]]
[[Sparring]] in Karate is called kumite (組手:くみて). It literally means "meeting of hands." Kumite is practiced both as a sport and as self-defense training.
Levels of physical contact during sparring vary considerably. [[Full contact karate]] has several variants. Knockdown karate (such as [[Kyokushin]]) uses full power techniques to bring an opponent to the ground. Sparring in armour, ''[[bogu kumite]]'', allows full power techniques with some safety. Sport kumite in many international competition under the [[World Karate Federation]] is free or structured with [[light contact]] or [[semi contact]] and points are awarded by a referee.

In structured kumite (''yakusoku'', prearranged), two participants perform a choreographed series of techniques with one striking while the other blocks. The form ends with one devastating technique (''hito tsuki'').

In free sparring (Jiyu Kumite), the two participants have a free choice of scoring techniques. The allowed techniques and contact level are primarily determined by sport or style organization policy, but might be modified according to the age, rank and sex of the participants. Depending upon style, [[takedown (grappling)|take-downs]], [[Sweep (martial arts)|sweeps]] and in some rare cases even time-limited [[grappling]] on the ground are also allowed.

Free sparring is performed in a marked or closed area. The bout runs for a fixed time (2 to 3 minutes.) The time can run continuously (''iri kume'') or be stopped for referee judgment. In [[light contact]] or [[semi contact]] kumite, points are awarded based on the criteria: good form, sporting attitude, vigorous application, awareness/''[[zanshin]]'', good timing and correct distance.
In full contact karate kumite, points are based on the results of the impact, rather than the formal appearance of the scoring technique.