The Six Strategy - For an effective Kumite.

​🥋 The Strategy of Six Concepts

​The goal of this strategy is to seize Sente (先手)—the initiative—by using pressure to create an opening that you can exploit immediately.

​Phase 1: Establishing the Battlefield (Ma-ai)

​The strategy begins by mastering the spatial relationship.

• ​Ma-ai (間合い): Your first task is to establish the optimal distance, typically Chūma (medium distance), where you can strike with one quick sliding step (suri ashi) and the opponent is equally vulnerable. You must move slightly to keep this distance advantageous to your speed and technique.
• ​The Key Target: Mazakai (間境): You must constantly identify where the Mazakai (the critical boundary) lies. Your entire strategy is focused on pushing the opponent's Mazakai toward their center or forcing them to cross their own line of safety.

​Phase 2: Applying Pressure (Seme)

​Once the distance is set, you apply the psychological and physical attack.

• ​Seme (攻め): Use Seme to actively attack the opponent's Ma-ai and mind. This is done through subtle movements, strong eye contact, unwavering posture, and focused spirit (Ki). The pressure is meant to be like "water, a fluid that penetrates" their defense, unsettling their Kamae (guard).
• ​Seme’s Goal: The immediate goal of Seme is to push the opponent to the point where they are faced with a choice: retreat, attack, or freeze.

​Phase 3: Creating the Opening (Itsuki & Suki)

​This is the decisive moment where Seme either succeeds or fails.

• ​Forcing Itsuki (居着き): By skillfully applying Seme at the Mazakai, you force the opponent to pause or hesitate. If they freeze—even for a split second—their mind and body become Itsuki. They are committed to the distance but not the action.
• ​Creating Suki (隙): The moment the opponent falls into a state of Itsuki, a Suki (opening) is created. This opening is not just physical (like an exposed shoulder), but temporal and psychological (a break in their will or rhythm). This Suki exists at the Mazakai.

​Phase 4: Seizing the Initiative (Sente)

​The final step is the committed action that capitalizes on the opponent's error.

• ​Sente (先手): You must recognize the Suki created by the Itsuki instantly and launch your attack—taking Sente—before the opponent can recover their spirit or adjust their distance.
• ​The Attack: This is a committed, decisive strike or technique launched from your advantageous Ma-ai, aimed at the Suki that you generated. Because you won the battle of Seme and forced the Itsuki, the attack is virtually guaranteed to succeed.
• Three kinds of sen-te: Sen sen no sen 先先の先- Premptive, Sen no sen 先の先 - Simultaneous and Go no sen 後の先手- Reactive

Strategic Cycle Summary

​This combined strategy operates in a loop:

Maai ➡️Seme➡️Mazakai➡️ pressure ➡️Itsuki 🟰Suki➡️Sente - Attack. 

​"Win first, then strike."

​You use Seme to win the mind battle and control the Mazakai, creating a Suki via Itsuki. Only then do you take Sente and deliver the technique.

Peace and harmony,

Sensei Maharaj 😊