Testing Sparring

[bushido_man96]

Does your TKD school do testing sparring? If so, what is it like?

In the past, when I was in the ATA, we did testing sparring, and the object of it was for you and your partner to work together in order so that the both of you can show off your best moves, and demonstrate your level of skill. It was very little contact (except at the high ranks ), and was supposed to be fast-paced. You would also demonstrate control, and the ability to attack, block, and counter.

In my current organiztion, our testing sparring is a little less cooperative. We are to demonstrate our skills in attacking, blocking, countering, and putting together combinations. However, if one party is dominant, then it is considered the fault of the other party for not going after the partner to prove himself. Not as much flash, but we are expected to demonstrate techniques in attack and counter effectively. Punching is important as well.

How does everyone else do it?

[A_Train]

I'm probably gonna find out next friday, heh.

[Rateh]

When you spar for testing, then you always fight someone better than you, and usually bigger than you. The goal is to try to hold your own, and not give up. So long as you continue fighting back then you pass. If you give up then you fail. This is how it is done at my dojo.

[karatekid1975]

For us, we just sparred and had fun. I mean, we were supposed to show technique, control, ect. At least, with my last test, I had fun with it. I sparred BB's and red belts a like. Of course, I'm sure if we gave up, we wouldn't have passed.

[aefibird]

When you spar for testing, then you always fight someone better than you, and usually bigger than you. The goal is to try to hold your own, and not give up. So long as you continue fighting back then you pass. If you give up then you fail. This is how it is done at my dojo.

We have that at my dojang too.

White belts and yellow tags (9th kups) are usually paired up for the sparring part of the test with a blackbelt or senior kup grade (2nd & 1st kups) that they have been working with before the testing. This is to give them a bit of confidence so they are not thrown in at the deap end by sparring with someone they have never worked with before.

The senior students are expected to push the beginners to show what they can do, but not to overwhelm them or just use it as an excuse to show off their own sparring skills. It is stressed to every senior grade that they are there to help the white belts, not hinder them and put them off of TKD for life.

At the end of a grading day the higher kup grades and dan grades will have sparred with practically everyone there anyway. This is a good thing for the examiner, as it helps them to see what sort of person they are.

For example, if you were a 2nd kup going for 1st kup, you may spar with a beginner whom you have been mentoring, as well as being called up to spar against other lower grades, such as 8th or 7th kups, plus sparring several rounds against higher kup grades and black belts for their own sparring section of the test.

As well as watching the lower grades in their sparring, the examiner is also watching the higher grade, as it is also considered part of their test. Anyone who shows a bad attitude to a lower grade automatically fails (as does any lower grade who whinges about having to fight a senior grade and won't make any effort! Even if a lower grade only know a couple of techniques the examiner will most likely pass them if they show the indomitable spirit of TKD in their sparring).

[SBN Doug]

Well. I'm not TKD but I'll chime in.

Sparring is not a required part of testing, but after 1st degree you can expect them to throw some in every couple of tests.

My 4th test toward 3rd degree we had 1 minutes rounds, no pads (and supposed to be no contact) with multiple attackers. First time around was 2, then 3, then 4. It was more a testing of your technique in moving around multiple attackers than actual sparring.

[bushido_man96]

I'm probably gonna find out next friday, heh.

Let me know how it goes for you!

[bushido_man96]

It was more a testing of your technique in moving around multiple attackers than actual sparring.

This is an interesting statement. How exactly did you go about it? Was about combinations and countering, or otherwise? I am interested; very cool.

[SBN Doug]

Personally, I went straight at the guy I perceived as weakest (we had to start surrounded). I attacked at an angle so as to pass by him as we exchanged blows. Once I was past, I kept landing blows while shifting back and forth to keep him in between me and the others. If they began to encircle me again, I would trap my "shield" and force him to the side of the most attackers while using kicks to keep the other side away, and essentially turn 180 degrees to get him between them an me again.

It seemed to work most of the time. I did have to change "shields" a couple times, but I almost never had to deal with strikes from more that one person at a time.

Of course is a real life situation, when I trapped my shield I would have put him down rather than simple using him to improve my position.

Edited January 19, 2007 by SBN Doug

[SBN Doug]

Sorry, double post.