Taekwon-Do Sparring
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  1. Pre Arranged
    1. Three Step Sparring
      1. One Way
        1. Alone
        2. With a Companion
      2. Two Way
        1. Alone
        2. With a Companion
      3. Semi Free
        1. Alone
        2. With a Companion
    2. Two Step Sparring
    3. One Step Sparring
  2. Semi Free
  3. Free
    1. One Against One
    2. Two Against One
    3. Two Against Two
    4. Other Combination
  4. Model
  5. Foot Technique
  6. Pre Arranged Free
    1. One Against One
    2. Two Against One
    3. Three or More Against One
  7. Traditional Sparring

Prearranged Sparring (Yaksok Matsogi)

The players decide what kind of attacks that will be used, how often and how many steps are allowed before an attack must be made. All the variables can be adjusted, only kicks to a particular target, or a particular attacking tool must be only be used, or attackers must alternate between "one attack one defence one attack one defence and so on".

E.g. Only High Kicks to the temple are allowed

Three Step Sparring

There are two methods of practice.

One Way

The attacker steps forward with the attack (three times), the defender defends (three times) and then counters.

Two Way

The attacker steps backwards and attacks (three times) while the defender steps forward and defends (three times), then counters.

Either method can be practiced alone or with a partner. When alone you should perform both the attacks role and then the defenders. The players should note that the position of the feet in prearranged sparring is of particular importance. It is no use performing a perfect punch if your forefist never reaches the target because your feet are in the wrong place.

E.g.

Walking Stance Punch - You should step to the outside of your opponents foot. Your toes next to his heel. The next step forward should be to his inside, the next step to his outside.

L-Stance Punch - You should step to the inside of your opponents foot. Your toes next to his heel. The next step forward should be to his outside, the next to his inside.

Semi Free

The attacker starts in a Guarding stance and performs three random attacks, the defender must block the first two and then has the option of blocking or dodging the third. The defender must then counter.

Alone

When you are alone the attacking role is the same, when defending you must block the attacks that you used. This is much harder than with a companion in that you have to remember which attacks were used and imagine them coming towards you.

With a Companion

This is the standard, it is quite easy so long as your partner gives you a chance to block, you should gradually build up your speed rather than starting off at one hundred percent.

Two Step Sparring

As above but with different techniques.

One Step Sparring

This is one of the ultimate goals of Taekwon-Do, to win with a single seasoned blow. The attacker signals that they are about to attack and once the defender has signalled that they are ready the attacker may attack using ANY technique. The defender should block, dodge or intercept the ttack and then counter, preferably whilst only stepping once.

Semi Free Sparring (Ban Jayu Matsogi)

Students start in an L-stance Guarding Block, at the command of commence one will attack with only one series of attacks, the other will defend, and then they swap roles, this continues for a short period only. The distance between the practitioners types of attack/defence, targets etc can all be adjusted including the number of steps taken. It is the last step before the student begins Free Sparring.

Free Sparring (Jayu Matsogi)

Any attack or defence is allowed and should be executed to an appropriate target - BUT the attacking tool must always stop short of the target to prevent serious injury or death. Normally in competitions and in practice only attacks above the belt and to the front of the opponent are permitted.

Hints for Free Sparring

  1. Defence

    A good defence will mean that your opponent only has a few targets that he is capable of attacking to. This gives you the advantage as you know where he is likely to attack to and can be ready to counter when he is vulnerable - i.e. during his attack. To guarantee victory every time you must know your opponent as well as oneself.

  2. Instant Attack and Counter-Attack

    Do not telegraph that your are about to move. This tells your opponent that you are about to do something and that he should be ready. This is commonly done in an L-Stance preparing to perform a side piercing kick, the student will often move the forward foot slightly forwards just before he begins to move. This should be avoided. If your opponent scores with a technique you should instantly try to regain those points by performing a counter-attack as he will still be vulnerable.

  3. Deception

    Trying to break a guard requires brute force or skill (or both). You should always practice trying to break someone's guard by skill (there is always someone bigger than you). To break the guard you can either move quickly and create an opening that way or you can try to deceive your opponent. You do this by starting to perform one technique when in actual fact you are going to perform a different technique.

  4. Selecting A Proper Target

    it is of no use to kick to the eyeball with knee as you have no chance of achieving your goal. You should select an appropriate attacking tool otherwise the technique will not work, in competition you will not be awarded any points. Also you will find that it is easier to use the correct technique rather than an inappropriate one in many circumstances. An upset punch at close range is easier than a side piercing kick.

  5. Direction of Attack and Defence

    Some techniques are more suited to being used in a particular manner E.g. Side piercing kick is very useful for attacking an opponent to the side, Back Fist for an opponent to the rear etc. Using the appropriate technique is not only easier but it is faster and more powerful than trying to attack with the wrong technique.

  6. Technique Experimentation

    It is very important to be able to use more than just your favourite techniques, they will not always be the most appropriate so you should always practice those techniques which you do not like. This way when sparring you will be able to use more than just a few techniques. Often when sparring an instructor will see a hand full of techniques being used (punch, turning kick, reverse turning kick, back piercing kick, side piercing kick and low block), rarely will he see twisting kick or flying techniques executed to a target. These techniques are difficult but very effective. Blocking a twisting kick is very hard.

    By experimenting with new techniques you give yourself an advantage and also you will find which work well for you and how well you can work them in a realistic situation.

  7. Development of Tactic and Manoeuvre

    When sparring you can move in any direction (like a real situation) so tactics become an important factor. This comes with experience and by fighting DIFFERENT people, the more you fight the more you will recognise their style.

  8. Dodging Technique

    This is very useful as it allows you to attack the opponent and reduce his chances of scoring a counter-attack. It also has the element of surprise

  9. Counter Attack

    It is always a good idea to try to recover yourself after being attacked by putting in a well placed/timed counter. This way you do not always need to retreat when being attacked.

    E.g. opponent executes a left side kick to your left ribs, you in a right L-Stance can perform a reverse turning kick while he s open to attack.

  10. Flying Multiple Techniques

    Many people tend to duck, bob or weave an attack rather then actually blocking it, by performing multiple attacks you can catch them out with the second or third technique. Especially with flying techniques people do not expect more than one attack so you gain a significant advantage by being able to perform more than one attack in the air.

  11. Position Change

    By flying past your opponent and landing on the other side in a stance you are forcing him to change his stance, at this point you have the advantage by being able to attack him, also when flying you have the choice of a surprise attack. By using this technique you are creating openings in your opponents guard. This can also be a tactical manoeuvre, if your opponent has a weak side then by flying past you can force him into using that side instead of his stronger side.

Foot Techniques

This is used to improve foot techniques by forcing the player to use only his feet for both attack and defence. There is no time limit or other restrictions (apart from usual free sparring techniques).

Model Sparring (Mobum Matsogi)

This is chiefly used for demonstration purposes but it is also very useful for students to see how techniques, how they should be used and if the techniques is actually the correct one for the particular situation. Model Sparring is performed between two people, the moves will be agreed previously. The attacker performs the attack (in slow motion), the defenders defends (in slow motion).

Pre-Arranged Free Sparring

This is very similar to free sparring except that all the attacks and defences are prepared in advance and as such the participants have no fear of injury. This kind is very impressive to watch can require a great deal of work previously to get it exactly right. You can be fighting against one or many opponents.

Traditional Sparring

Traditional Sparring is a new (ish) idea that is still being explored. Basically this is sparring where anything and everything goes. You can grab, throw, attack to the back or even use weapons. It can be pre-arranged initially in order to build up a sequence, however, it should really be spontaneous. You do not have to take turns attacking, there can be more than one opponent and you can be in everyday clothing.

If you have any questions or queries with regards the site or Taekwon-Do in general then please do not hesitate to email me on AberdeenTaekwonDo@hotmail.co.uk.

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