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Sparring For many students sparring represents the most exciting part of their training. Indeed this may well be the place where a student’s knowledge finds a very practical application. Where the rubber meets the road so to speak. In the short term sparring will quickly develop a student’s hand-foot-eye coordination, agility, balance, speed, and physical stamina. It is extremely important, however, that students have a specific and well understood structure of rules and expectations, to keep things safe and fun.
Rules and Expectations Using kicks and punches, we practice with only light to moderate contact to the front and sides of the body and light contact to the head gear. At the rank of Black belt students may also regularly practice leg kicks to the upper thigh with light contact. Other techniques such as takedowns, traps, grabs, sweeps, elbow and knee strikes are practice only at specifically designated times as more control and cooperation is require to practice them safely.
An overall atmosphere of respect and courtesy is essential to allow every student to reach their full potential. It is to your benefit to help your partner to feel safe and relaxed and to help them have fun. A relaxed partner is more controlled as well as more creative and willing to try different techniques. The more variety of stuff that is thrown at you, the better prepared you become.
As your sparring progresses with experience, we expect to see an increase in the effective use of basic techniques (through proper timing and polished combinations), an increase in the variety of techniques you can use (particularly kicking techniques), a better command of your own body and defenses (such as controlling the distance with good foot work). |
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Students first receive their gear at Orange belt for practicing combinations and by Green belt they are “free sparring” |
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In addition to having a lot of our own students and instructors to practice with, students may attend yearly camps and tournaments to test their skills with new partners. |
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With the proper attitude sparring is fun and safe for martial artists of any age. |
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More dramatic techniques can be practiced safely after students have learned good physical and mental self control. Your partner is your most valuable training asset, learning to take care of them comes first. |