Types of sparring

[SahBumNimRush]

I'm curious, after reading some recent KKW threads, how many and what types of sparring to you practice in your dojang?

We have:

• 3 step sparring
• 1 step sparring
• kneeling sparring
• one step weapon sparring
• freestyle knife sparring
• freestyle sparring (tournament rules: kicks above the waist, nothing to the back, and only closed fist punches to the body)
• advanced/black belt sparring (take downs, sweeps, throws , open hand techniques, and punches to the face are allowed)

Typically in day to day class, we mainly only practice 1 step and freestyle sparring, but I throw in the others on a fairly regular basis.

 

[andyjeffries]

Typically we only do the following:

• 3 step sparring For low grades only
• 1 step sparring For intermediate-advanced grades
• one step weapon sparring We do prearranged self-defences against weapons, like this I guess
• freestyle sparring (tournament rules: kicks above the waist, nothing to the back, and only closed fist punches to the body) WTF rules

 

[Jaeimseu]

We don't do one step sparring, at least not the step back and low block type. We do sparring drills with or without hogu where one person executes a pre-arranged attack and then the other person executes a counter attack that it pre-arranged or limited to a few choices. It's similar to one step sparring, but I don't think of it as one step sparring.

We also do free sparring. It's typically done with WTF rules without head contact. The individual students make up their own minds regarding contact. Our dojang consists of adults only. It's a bit of a unique situation in Korea. 99% of our students aren't training for competition. They don't want to go to work with black eyes or busted lips.

 

[StudentCarl]

We're on the same page with Andy.

 

[sfs982000]

In my school we have a dedicated sparring night on Fridays which normally consists of free sparring (mid to heavy contact) unless there is a tournament coming up then it's light contact point sparring. We also have one-step sparring and sparring segments as part of our normal curriculum. Sparring segments are required from White to Green belt and sparring segments are used for Purple and Blue belts, we practice both the one-steps and sparring segments both individually and with partners.

 

[andyjeffries]

We don't do one step sparring, at least not the step back and low block type. We do sparring drills with or without hogu where one person executes a pre-arranged attack and then the other person executes a counter attack that it pre-arranged or limited to a few choices. It's similar to one step sparring, but I don't think of it as one step sparring.

We also do these, but consider them sparring drills rather than step sparring per se.

 

[SahBumNimRush]

When I started TKD back in the 80's, all white belts performed 3 step sparring, then at yellow belt we started 1 step sparring. Sometime in the 90's our KJN threw out the mandatory basic 3 step sparring for basic 1 step sparring. We still practice the 3 step sparring to keep the tradition alive though.

We usually only perform 1 step sparring and free style sparring in our regular classes. In BB class, we open it up a bit more to include weapons (1 step and freestyle) sparring, kneeling 1 step sparring, and advanced free sparring.

 

[RobinTKD]

Is your one step weapons sparing using weapons or defending against weapons? We pretty much do the same as you, except our freestyle sparring is a bastardisation of the ITF rules (full contact, punches to the head, wearing a hogu).

 

[SahBumNimRush]

Is your one step weapons sparing using weapons or defending against weapons? We pretty much do the same as you, except our freestyle sparring is a bastardisation of the ITF rules (full contact, punches to the head, wearing a hogu).

One step defense against weapons. However, our freestyle weapon sparring is typically one armed and one unarmed, so you are using techniques using weapons and using techniques defending weapons (typically knife).

 

[SahBumNimRush]

Personally, I really like punches to the head, but we traditionally do not use that in our regular free sparring. Probably for safety reasons. I know back in the 70's, our KJN allowed punches to the face at his tournament.

 

[Earl Weiss]

3,2, & 1 Step, Semi Free, Free, Pre arranged Free (I know it's an oxymoron), Model, Foot technique.

 

[SahBumNimRush]

3,2, & 1 Step, Semi Free, Free, Pre arranged Free (I know it's an oxymoron), Model, Foot technique.

What is model?

 

[chrispillertkd]

3,2, & 1 Step, Semi Free, Free, Pre arranged Free (I know it's an oxymoron), Model, Foot technique.

Master Weiss, do you do 3-step sparring in two directions (i.e., the attacker going forward and backward), or just forwards?

Also, what do you think of the distintion between free-sparring and tournament sparring some people make?

Pax,

Chris

 

[chrispillertkd]

What is model?

Gen. Choi's revenge :lol:

Gads, I loathe model sparring.

Pax,

Chris

 

[StudentCarl]

Chris, please enlighten me.

Right now I'm imagining trying to spar while making exaggerated sine wave movements, so set me straight.

 

[dancingalone]

What is model?

http://www.drysdaletkd.com/Step_Sparring/Model_Sparring.htm

Slow motion prearranged sparring apparently. Hmm, I guess your technique better be solid or else you'll look like an elephant trying to dance in such a format. No covering up your lack of balance and other flaws with speed.

 

[SahBumNimRush]

Wow! I'd seen this done in old school demo's back in the 70's and 80's before doing them full speed, but I just thought it was so the audience could see what the Koreans were actually doing.. . I had no idea that it was an actual standardized type of sparring.

 

[chrispillertkd]

Wow! I'd seen this done in old school demo's back in the 70's and 80's before doing them full speed, but I just thought it was so the audience could see what the Koreans were actually doing.. . I had no idea that it was an actual standardized type of sparring.

Yep. Good times. Good times...

A couple examples of Model Sparring for you. The first video is from an old (early 1980's) ITF training video.

And a demonstration from the 1970's with Grand Master Park, Jong Soo demonstrating model sparring.

Pax,

Chris


Edit: Tried embedding the videos but for some reason it didn't work.

 

[Earl Weiss]

Master Weiss, do you do 3-step sparring in two directions (i.e., the attacker going forward and backward), or just forwards?

Also, what do you think of the distintion between free-sparring and tournament sparring some people make?

Pax,

Chris

I have done 2 way on occasion. It is not part of the regular curriculum.

While there is definitely a distinction between "Free Sparring" and tournament sparring, we really don't have time to practice it as such. We do what I call "Street One Steps' No formalities, they attack, you defend. We also do grappling sparring, but it is not part of the TKD curriculum.

 

[Earl Weiss]

http://www.drysdaletkd.com/Step_Sparring/Model_Sparring.htm

Slow motion prearranged sparring apparently. Hmm, I guess your technique better be solid or else you'll look like an elephant trying to dance in such a format. No covering up your lack of balance and other flaws with speed.

Still looks better when Kathy Ireland and Cindy Crawford do it Of course, technicaly thats "Supermodel Sparring"