According to the All Japan Kendo Federation, Ippon means 'a stroke or thrust a contender properly makes with strong fervor and proper posture on a targeted part of the opponent's body with the proper part of blade of a bamboo sword (main part of blade on the opposite side of the bowstring-shape side) and has preparedness against the opponent's counterattack.'
一本とは全日本剣道連盟によれば、「充実した気勢、適正な姿勢を持って、竹刀の打突部（弦の反対側の物打ちを中心とした刃部）で打突部位を刃筋正しく打突し、残心あるもの」である。