A GUIDE TO 3-STEP SEMI-FREE SPARRING
Both fighters start
the drill with both right legs going back, L-stance forearm guarding
block. Attacker kihaps.
(The drill should
alternate with fighters attacking from both left & right stances).
Rules for the
attacker:
STEP FORWARD with any
hand or leg technique.
Keep hand techniques
to rear hand attacks (eg: backfist, ridgehand, punch etc.)
Kicking techniques can
be done with the rear leg, or the lead leg PROVIDING that the student
steps forward with the kick (ie: stepping up lead leg kick).
The most important
principle is that there must be 3 defined steps in this exercise.
If the attacker has
their technique blocked so they are “closed” to their opponent (ie:
their back is now turned towards the defender) then 2 options are
available; either continue the momentum through & execute a spinning
technique or step the lead leg back so the attacker returns to the
“centre line”.
Do not rush the
attacks; work with your partner. Remember, that this exercise is meant
to be a basic introduction to sparring.
Rules for the
defender:
STEP BACKWARDS &
perform a suitable block for the particular technique that has been
thrown by the attacker (do not, simply, move out of the way).
The same rules apply
to the defender regarding stepping back 3 times. Either step your lead
leg back into a suitable stance, slide back or perform a “double
stepping” motion (ie: keeping the same leg in front).
Do not keep the same
leg in front throughout the exercise; make sure that you show a
variety of different stepping techniques, stances & blocks.
Remember; you can
either “open” your opponent up (ie: blocking the attack & leaving the
stomach / front exposed to a counter) or you can “close” them up (ie:
blocking the attack & exposing the back). Make sure you try both.
Counter-attacks:
Do not pause between the 3rd
& final block & the counter-attack. React fast & kihap on the counter
–DO NOT HESITATE!
Try to vary the target areas on
each counter-attack ie: counter to the head on the 1st
occasion, then the next counter, go for a body shot etc.
On a similar principle, vary your
counter-attacks between kicking technique(s) & then hand technique(s).
Also vary between a “closed” opponent & an “open” opponent.
Attempt to build logical
counter-attacks using a variety of techniques to varying target areas.
As this exercise is generally
focussed on the sparring aspect of Taekwon-Do, then most of your
counters will be sparring type combinations to the normal target
areas. (At the instructors discretion allowable techniques can also
include; elbows, knees, sweeps & takedowns. Target areas could then
include; knees, groin, back etc.)
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