Free-Sparring

Types of Free-Sparring

Class Sparring
- Purpose: experiment using new techniques, different combinations, and different strategies.
- Energy Output: output per match is low since there will be many matches.
- Power Level: level is low to avoid injuries to self or others
- Focus: just short of target.
- Mental Status: fight for fun.
Test Sparring
- Purpose: demonstrate all the required techniques with perfect form.
- Energy Output: due to the number of difficult techniques that must be repeatedly performed, output must be paced to the number of expected matches.
- Power Level: level is low to medium.
- Focus: just short of target.
- Mental Status: fight to impress.
Competition Sparring
- Purpose: score more points than the opponent.
- Energy Output: high since, even if you keep winning, there will not be many matches..
- Power Level: level is medium.
- Focus: surface of target.
- Mental Status: fight to win.
Self Defense
- Purpose: protect yourself or another from injury and convince the attacker to cease the attack,.
- Energy Output: maximum output.
- Power Level: highest level.
- Focus: penetrate target.
- Mental Status: fight like your life depended on the outcome.

Who Must Free-Spar

Green belts and above must test free spar as a part of their promotion tests. Sparring is done after performance of the required pattern.

Opponents will be with other students of similar rank. Sparring matches will be two-minutes in length, using continuous sparring rules, except the helmet hand attacks are permitted. There will be at least three matches. Red belt and above students may spar four, five, or more matches and may have to spar students of higher rank or visiting black belts. At local testings, black belts may have to spar one or two fresh, rested opponents. At national testings, black belts will have to spar all fresh, rested opponents.

Students are judged in their blocking, attacking, and counterattacking skills. This is not a tournament so judges are not looking for points scored, they are looking for variety of techniques, punching combinations, kicking combinations, counterattacks, and punch/kick combinations. This is the time for students to show off their skills and what they have learned during training.