Ahh, this is the nut to crack don't you think. Watching sempai practice kumite, all brands of kumite, is exciting. Many newbies want so bad to get there and get there fast. As a fledgling practitioner and especially as a Sensei you must "resist" the temptations to allow speedy arrival at the kumite gate.
I do not allow kumite of any form until a practitioner reaches a "green belt or go-ku level." They must really learn, understand and apply in a controlled manner all the fundamental principles as applied to the upper and lower basic waza and the first kata (green belt in some cases means performing three of the kata but for my teachings I prefer they truly understand one kata and the fundamental waza first as done maintaining adherence to fundamental principles).
Habits, reflexive actions and proper waza applications can be learned either correctly or incorrectly. It must be remembered that "unlearning" something that has become instinctive, reflexive and automatic is very tough and you don't want to find out it failed you in a live situation.
If an untrained person jumps immediately into kumite, except controlled one, two and five step kumite drills, freestyle will find the mind will resort to what ever it finds in its encoding and apply it regardless of correctness, etc. If it works in these instances it will be reinforced and when the mess hits to oscillating blades it will fail and the owner will get damaged.
When you move instinctively, reflexively, automatic-pilot mode the mind and body are one and if the principles are solid the motion and application of said principles will lengthen your line in relation to your attacker - you get minimal damage and find safety. Reflexive/instinctual action is superior to contrived action.
Look at it as driving a car before you take driver's ed and get a license. You have to know the laws and the rules of the road before trying to drive.
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