Sparring, on the other hand, was never my forte – this despite the fact that I earned more than a fair number of trophies in sparring competition.
Now, as a martial arts instructor, I’ve come to realize that my antipathy for sparring might be due to the fact that when I was first given the opportunity to spar, it consisted of me being given my sparring gear and then being told, “Okay, now spar.” Other than knowing enough to keep my hands up to protect myself, I had no idea what else I was supposed to do or how to do it – and I’ve come to realize that my current students probably have just as little information as I did! For those students – and for everyone else who is interested in martial arts sparring – I’ve put together some basics about sparring in martial arts.
First of all, sparring is a great recreational activity, whether for martial arts, boxing, kick-boxing or MMA – and regardless of gender.
Even if you do ‘no-contact’ sparring, you’re going to get a good work out and continue to develop your basic skills.
Unlike fighting on the streets, when we spar, we have rules that we that we follow: real world fighting doesn’t have rules.
So why learn sparring if you can’t use it? Because everything you learn – how to throw a good punch, how to block and counter, how to evade, how to read your opponent and plan a strategy not only applies in the class, but it applies in the real world as well.
Last, and definitely not least, every school and every program has their own set of rules and guidelines about sparring.
Some schools don’t require students to wear sparring gear; some require full gear, including mouthpieces and face shields.
Before you engage in sparring at any school or any martial arts programs, make sure you know and understand the rules.
So let’s begin! Stances, Guards and Basic Movement Most sparrers use a stance that is comfortable for them and lets them move quickly and easily.
This can be a sparring stance, which is very similar to a middle stance, but turned slightly away from your opponent, with your weaker side closer to them.
Many sparrers prefer a true middle stance with their whole body being sideways to their opponent.
Try both and see what works best for you – just remember that there is no wrong stance for sparring.
You should be able to slip a piece of paper under your heels when you are in your sparring stance.
If you’re in a sparring or middle stance, this will put one hand – usually your weaker hand – closer to your opponent.
As with sparring stances, try it both ways and see what works better for you.
Sometimes we use things that we’ve done before because they are easier to remember rather than trying to learn and use something new When we spar, we have two ranges: punching, like boxers, and kicking.
Try this practice drill: Start in your preferred sparring stance – either a traditional sparring stance or a middle stance with your side toward your opponent.
Practice taking one step toward your opponent, then quickly returning to your original sparring position.
If we practice enough, they become habits that we do without thinking – and we don’t want to have to think about each move in sparring.
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