Japanese martial arts matches are measured in points called IPPON. Ippon means that the technique which scored the point would incapacitate an opponent in a real situation. (This is true of each full point scored in a match, even if you need to score three points to win.) Recognizing that there are techniques that may not result in victory by themselves but nonetheless can contribute toward it, half points, called waza-ari, are also recognized in competition.
Although rules of competition in karate vary greatly according to the style, a strike such as a controlled reverse punch to a vital spot like the back of the head may constitute an ippon. On the other hand, a quick jab that simply catches your opponent off guard may be considered a waza-ari, because effective as it maybe would not be itself be enough to defeat your opponent in a real situation. Usually, two waza-ari contribute an ippon.
The term stresses the importance of technique in karate matches, as the first ideogram, waza, means “technique” or “skill,” while ari means “to be present” or “exists.” In other words, in a martial arts competition, physical attributes such as size and strength are less valued than techniques. Waza-ari is a rem that affirms that technique, not luck or brute force, scored the half-point.
Ideally, points in karate matches should be awarded only to techniques of merit. You might succeed in hitting someone, for example, by flailing away blindly with your hands, but this is hardly karate. When you compete, you should strive to maintain a level of discipline in your techniques worthy of the term “martial art.”
In reality, however, even sloppy techniques are awarded waza-ari or, at times, even ippon. In addition to practical considerations, such as the impossibility of objectively defining what is and is not proper technique, you should remember that in real combat even a blindly thrown punch can cause you injury, and you will not have the option of complaining to a referee. Thus, even when techniques are sloppy, as long as they are within the rules, waza-ari are awarded because competitors should not allow such strikes to slip by their defenses.
Quite often in karate, you are called upon to maintain a higher level of discipline for yourself than you demand of others, and this is such a situation: in competition, always be certain that your techniques meet your proper standards, while understanding that scores will be awarded to your opponent even if his or her techniques do not rise to the level by which you measure yourself.
