If someone attacks you and tries to hurt you, what kind of techniques will you use to defend yourself? Sparring! But how to spar in taekwondo? You should know the answer to this question before hopping into the fascinating world of taekwondo.
If you’re learning taekwondo then you must make your sparring game strong. Otherwise, you won’t be a successful fighter and you’ll be unable to defend yourself. Also, sometimes by not executing sparring, you end up hurting yourself while trying to attack with sparring techniques.
Don’t have the right direction and motivation to spar perfectly? We are about to share some ways to improve your sparring in taekwondo.
Why Is Sparring Important in Taekwondo?
Before going into the depth of how to spar in taekwondo, let’s discuss the significance of sparring.
Learning taekwondo puts you through a lot of phases. Spent hours learning, getting the right footwork, and getting instructions from the coach. After doing all this, now you’re in the taekwondo game and handle your opponent well. But going one step further will allow you to become an expert.
Sparring is an important step that can transform you into a bonafide taekwondo fighter.
Real Life Fights
Real-world fights are way different than ring fights. You have to prepare to encounter any kind of fighting situation. Not only should you be good at attacking but also working on your defending techniques will certainly make you an expert fighter.
Taekwondo Sparring allows a fighter to get more control over the fight. Whether it’s a ring fight or a real-life combat situation. Sparring will make you stand out prominently.
Mental Preparation
What happens if you just couldn’t land your taekwondo technique properly when it requires the most? Most people can’t process the situation instantly and end up freezing up. It’s only the mental resistance that doesn’t allow them to move.
Sparring in taekwondo is the only way to break this resistance and allow you to get accustomed to sudden combat situations. Sparring is considered a mental as well as physical exercise. It also gives signals to your mind so you can instantly get into action when needed.
Prepare for Competition
The more time you spend on sparring, the better you’ll perform in a competitive fight. Taekwondo step sparring prepares your mental and physical as well to perform best inside the ring. If you want to see yourself to the next level then make sparring your best friend.
Most of the world’s best fighters spent long sparring practice sessions to get to that level.
How to Spar in Taekwondo- The Sparring Competition
Now that you all are familiar with the importance of sparring in martial arts. But how to count in taekwondo when fighting in a competition? What type of strikes are allowed in taekwondo step sparring?
The sparring competition has three rounds organized by World Tae Kwon Do. The score of both participants will be decided by strikes and points earned by them. If a tie happens at the end of the third round then there is a strong chance of a fourth round as well. Different strikes earn different points.
Chest Strike: 1 Point
Head Kick: 3 Points
Chest Kick: 2 Points
Chest Turning Kick: 4 Points
Head-Turning Kick: 5 Points
There are some strikes and punches that are not allowed in such competitions such as head punches.
Moreover, it is best if you take some precautions to protect yourself from serious injuries such as sparring headgear, sparring gloves, and a mouth guard. Here are some of the best quality sparring headgear you should check.
How to Spar in Taekwondo-Best Tips
Before jumping into a sparring match, you must know how to spar in taekwondo perfectly. Here we are going to share some useful advice and tips that will certainly help you in your sparring.
Sparring Practice
Sparring practice with your partner sharpens your and your partner’s technique in the best way possible. A good amount of practice can give an idea about how strong and effective your technique is.
Without practice, you won’t be able to get your wrong moves right and you would never know about your mistakes. The worst situation ever! Right? So, never skip your taekwondo step sparring session with your fellow fighter.
Check Your Sparring Opponent
Ready to spar? Never underestimate your opponent. Check his intended moves even before the beginning of the match. After analyzing what he’s up to, make your attacking plan accordingly.
Look at the eye movements of your opponent. Don’t forget to watch out for his body movement as well. Body movement can tell much more, especially if you’re encountering an experienced fighter.
Combination Kicks
How about throwing a hard kick at your opponent and then waiting for his reaction? A big no. Always use two or three combinations of kicks at a time. This way your opponent won’t be able to process and react instantly. A lot of fighters don’t use a combination from the beginning and end up not controlling the match.
It’s best if you start your sparring fight with a combination of kicks and get complete control over the match. Make your favorite combination while testing them again and again. Testing and trying them will help you in landing them smoothly in a minute or even less.
Your combination could be back kick and axe kick, turning kick, and crescent kick as well. Moreover, you can make your favorite combination too.
Side-to-Side Movement
Have you noticed that your fellow fighter moves back and forth while sparring? No? Next time pay close attention to the body movement when watching a sparring match. Instead of moving back, it’s better if you move side when an opponent tries to attack you.
Experienced taekwondo fighters don’t move to the back side to dodge a kick, instead, they move toward the open side of the opponent. This way allows them to avoid a strike and a quick counter-attack as well.
How to Spar in Taekwondo Against Multiple Opponents?
We have discussed some tips on how to spar in taekwondo when fighting against a single opponent. But how to spar when you’re up against more than one opponent? Must be troublesome. Let’s make it a little easy for you.
Fake it Until You Make it
Faking your strike and kicks will help you a lot with multiple opponents fighting. Pretending is the key to success in multiple sparring. Such as faking your strike that you’re about to hit one person but you plan to hit on another. This way you can trick your opponent and be able to get away with the situation.
This tactic is not easy to learn as you have to engage everyone during this whole process. Also, mind processing during faking your strike is another important factor you can’t avoid.
Attack the Biggest Fish First
Don’t waste your energy on small fighters at the very beginning of the match. Instead, get the most experienced or fastest opponent first. Save your energy to get rid of him and take control of your hand. Never underestimate any opponent and don’t overestimate yourself.
Don’t Just Stand
Moving back and forth, side to side will help you avoid coming kicks and give you room to counterattack. Standing in one position and throwing kicks won’t allow you to fake your next move.
Also, remember that don’t get stuck between multiple fighters, attack at one and then move towards the next one. You can’t handle two or more taekwondo step sparring fighters at a time.
Bottom Line
To sum up the article, we would like to say that sparring in taekwondo will take you to the level where you want to be. Never stop sparring sessions as they’ll not only help you grow as a fighter but also improve your mental strength as well.
Spar continuously and overcome your fears and weaknesses. Never hesitate to ask for help. Learn combination, dodging, kicking, and everything that will help you transform your taekwondo game.
We went to great lengths to help you understand the importance of sparring, how to spar in taekwondo and how sparring helps you during the fight.
