Three step sparring is designed for the beginner to learn basic techniques. Three step teaches the student many things i.e. proper distance, correct facing, forearm conditioning, correct blocks, correct stances, counter attacks and timing.
There are a few basic rules which apply to all ten examples for both the attacker and defender.
The Attacker:
The attacker brings there right leg back into a walking stance and performs an obverse low section outer forearm block and Kihaps (to show they are ready). They then wait for the defender to Kihap (also to show they are ready), and walks forward (in walking stance) three times performing a middle section obverse punch on every move forward. This is the same for all 10 examples.
The Defender:
The defenders start in parallel ready stance. When they are ready they Kihap, and the attacker will attack them with three middle section punches. The defender then then performs two or three blocks (depending on which number they do) and performs a counter attack. This is also the same for all 10 examples.
No. 1.
Defence, To start bring your right leg back in walking stance, and perform three middle section inner forearm blocks in walking stance on every move back.
Counter-attack Middle section reverse punch with a Kihap.
No. 2.
Defence, To Start, bring your Left leg back in a Left "L" stance, and performthree middle section inner forearm blocks in "L" stance.
Counter-attack Move the back leg forward and left at a 45 degree angle, bring your right foot to your left and move the right leg behind the opponents front leg into a left L stance, as you drop your body weight into a Left "L" stance, execute a knife hand strike to the neck, with Kihap.
No. 3.
Defence, To start, bring your Left leg back, "L" stance, and perform three middle section, inward moving, outer forearm blocks, in "L" stance.
Counter-attack Bring your right foot halfway back to your left foot (to raise your body weight), then slide it forward and execute a right hand front backfist to face in "L" stance, with kihap.
No. 4.
Defence, To start, bring your Left leg back in "L" stance, perform three middle inner forearm blocks in "L" stance (exactly the same as No. 2).
Counter-attack Step out with your left leg (forward and left) at a 45 degree angle into sitting stance, measure the distance to the ribs with left hand, and execute double punch to the ribs, with Kihap.
No. 5.
Defence, To start, bring your Right leg back in L stance, and perform two middle section outer forearm blocks moving back in "L" stance.
Counter-attack From the left "L" stance, bring your right foot to the left, and place your right fist ready on your right hip and sit your left fist on top of the right (like a cup on a saucer). Then step out with your right leg into sitting stance, 45 degrees to your opponent. As you do this, execute simultaneously a middle section outer forearm block with the left and a high section punch with the right, with kihap.
No. 6.
Defence, To start, bring your Right leg back in "L" stance, and perform two middle section knife-hand outer forearm blocks moving back in "L" stance.
Counter-attack From the left "L" stance, bring your right foot to the left, bring them up and high behind you (your left hand is by your right ear, and cup them gently. Then step out with your right leg into sitting stance, 45 degrees to your opponent. As you do this, execute simultaneously a middle section knife-hand outer forearm block with the left and a high section knife-hand strike to the neck with the right, with kihap.
No. 7.
Defence, Bring your right leg back in "L" stance, and perform two middle section outer forearm blocks moving back in "L" stance.
Counter-attack Move your right foot to left foot, and turn your body so your left side is forward, pushing off left foot slide back at a 45 degree angle into right L stance forearm guarding block, execute right front kick land into a right walking stance and perform double punch, with Kihap.
No. 8.
Defence, Bring your right leg back in "L" stance, perform two middle section knife-hand blocks moving back in "L" stance.
Counter-attack Move right foot to left foot, and turn your body so your left side is forward, pushing off left foot (as in No. 7) and slide back at a 45 degree angle into right "L" stance knife-hand guarding block. Execute a right side kick landing in left "L" stance and a right front backfist strike to the nose with Kihap.
No. 9.
Defence, Bring your right leg back in "L" stance, and perform three middle section palm pushing blocks moving back in "L" stance.
Counter-attack This time slide back at 45 degree angle to your left into right "L" stance and perform a third pushing block (without making contact because you have stepped out of range!) Execute a right mid-section turning kick put the kicking foot behind the opponent's front foot, bring your back leg up into vertical stance simultaneously executing a knife hand strike to the neck.
No. 10.
Defence, Bring your right leg back in "L" stance, and perform two knife-hand blocks moving back in "L" stance.
Counter-attack Move right foot to left foot, and turn your body so your left side is forward, pushing off left foot (as in No. 7) and slide back at a 45 degree angle into right "L" stance knife-hand guarding block. Execute a right middle section reverse side kick landing a in right walking stance, and perform a left reverse knife hand strike to the philtrum (where the top lip joins the nose).
Two step sparring is designed for the intermediate student to learn more advanced techniques, also using the same timing and distance as in three step sparring, but with more varied attacks, thus allowing the attacking student to develop various combinations.
All attackers start in right L stance, forearm guarding block. All defenders start in parallel ready stance.
No. 1.
Attacker : Walking Stance - high obverse punch.
Defender : Right walking stance - obverse rising block.
Attacker : Low left front snap kick.
Defender : Left walking stance - X-fist pressing block, then twin vertical punch.
No. 2.
Attacker : Fixed stance - middle side punch.
Defender : Right L-Stance - upward palm block.
Attacker : Middle turning kick.
Defender : Left L-Stance - outward outer forearm waist block.
Defender : Right L-Stance - middle right side elbow thrust.
No. 3.
Attacker : Right low front snap kick.
Defender : Left walking stance - X-fist pressing block.
Attacker : Left walking stance - high twin vertical punch.
Defender : Right walking stance - wedging block.
Defender : Grab opponent's shoulders - pull down and strike with an upward left knee strike.
No. 4.
Attacker : Right walking stance - high flat fingertip thrust.
Defender : Left walking stance - obverse knifehand rising block.
Attacker : Left middle side kick.
Defender : Left L-Stance - inward palm pushing block.
Defender : Left front snap kick, left walking stance and twin upset punch.
No. 5.
Attacker : Middle right back kick.
Defender : Right L-Stance - outward palm waist block.
Attacker : Left walking stance - high palm strike.
Defender : Left L-Stance - inward outer forearm block.
Defender : Right walking stance - middle reverse knifehand strike.
No. 6.
Attacker : Right high turning kick.
Defender : Sitting stance - twin straight forearm block.
Attacker : Left walking stance - high arc hand strike.
Defender : Right L-Stance - palm hooking block.
Defender : Grab opponents arm - middle left side kick.
No. 7.
Attacker : Right fixed stance - middle outward side fist strike.
Defender : Left L-Stance - twin forearm block.
Attacker : Left middle reverse turning kick 180 degrees.
Defender : Right L-Stance - middle knifehand guarding block.
Defender : Right high reverse turning kick 360 degrees.
No. 8.
Attacker : Right middle side kick.
Defender : Right L-Stance - inward inner forearm waist block.
Attacker : Right L-Stance - high knifehand strike.
Defender : Right L-Stance - knifehand guarding block.
Defender : Left X stance - high backfist strike.
One step sparring is the most realistic form of sparring there is, simply because the defender cannot foresee the attack coming. One Step makes you practice defending against an unknown attack, and If you can perform one step sparring well against any partner then you can defend yourself against most people.
The attacker signals that he is ready by a Kihap, once the defender signals that they are ready by a Kihap, the attacker may begin. The defender then blocks or avoids the attack and then counters attacks.
The attacker will begin with a Front Forefist Punch in Walking Stance
Example No. 1.
Defender : Walking Stance Forearm Block
Counter : Low left front snap kick.
Example No. 2.
Defender : L-Stance Knifehand Guarding Block
Counter : L-Stance Knifehand Side Strike
Example No. 3.
Defender : Bending Ready Stance
Counter : Side Piercing Kick
Example No. 4.
Defender : Slip to Side
Counter : Turning Kick
Example No. 5.
Defender : Slip to Side
Counter : Reverse Tuning Kick
Example No. 6.
Defender : L-Stance Knifehand Guarding Block
Counter : Walking Stance Upper Elbow Strike
This form of sparring is designed as a step forward from basic three step sparring. It involves three consecutive attacks (hand or feet) and three blocks or evasions, plus a counter-attack. Three step semi-free sparring should not be hurried, the secret is reaction force and quick, intelligent movements. This is where the true art of sparring is learnt.
Attacking students start in 'L' stance guarding block.
Defending students start in parallel stance.
This is a fixed set of Leg Attacks in the following order
The defender will defend each kick with
The counter attack is a reverse punch to the attackers solar plexis.
The attacker will perform any three kicks of their choice from
All kicks should be aimed to the middle section
The defender will defend each kick with
The counter attack can be any hand technique, appropriate to grade.
The attacker begins in forearm guarding block in a right or left L Stance.
The attacker will perform three hand or foot techniques, or a combination of both of their choice. The choice of technique is left to student, but the technique and skill level should be commensurate with grade.No jumping or flying techniques are allowed on the attack phase.
The defender will defend each technique with appropriate blocking or avoidance manoeuvre.
The counter attack can be any hand technique, appropriate to the attack. Jumping and spinning techniques can be used.
One for one may well be the first kind of sparring a student will have a chance to practise. Although it is mainly used for stamina and reaction speed training for all grades of students, it is often a good introduction to sparring for someone who has never had to fight before. This is because its turn-taking basis removes a lot of pressure from someone who is still trying to get to grips with techniques they have just started learning. In addition, they're not trying to 'score' against or 'beat' their opponent, and their opponent will not attack again until it is their turn.
The object is to return your technique as quickly as possible, and the opponent does likewise. For this reason, this exercise can be very physically demanding when done properly.
Both students start in fighting position, and when the command is given, one student will start with one technique, as soon as his technique is over, the other student attacks immediately, and so on. Because this is a stamina exercise, it does not mean that techniques should be sloppy, they should be crisp and well-executed.
Free Sparring is basically putting what has been learnt so far into practise, with no prewarning of attack. Therefore, not as many defending techniques can be practised as in the other forms of sparring.
Semi contact sparring is allowed only with adequate protection (i.e., safety boots and gloves, etc.). This type of sparring must only be carried out under strick supervision of a qualified Instructor.
