Sparring

Continuous Sparring

In continuous sparring the objective is to improve flow and endurance. The instructor will signal two students to begin sparring. The instructor may give students specific goals or roles, such as for one student to only defend. Once the sparring begins the instructor will stop it as little as possible. Some reasons to stop the sparring are to re-center the students when they move to out of the ring (see competition sparring for more about the ring), when a time or goal has been meet, or for safety.

This section covers the different types of sparring used in this program.

Stop and Adapt Sparring

In stop and adapt sparring the sparring round will be stopped once an successful attack is made (see competition sparring for more about a scoring). The instructor will reset the students and have them repeat the series of moves and actions that led to the successful attack. The instructor will work with the student that was hit to develop a successful defense. This may take a few times to achieve. As with continuous sparring the instructor may give the students a specific goal or role.

Competition Sparring

A competition sparring match or round consist of two students and one or more instructors acting as referees. The general rule will follow. The use the the term general rules because slight changes can be made from time to time in order to encourage students to study the art and not just to train for this type of sport competition.

Starting a Match

At the beginning of the match each student will walk to the center or the ring (the ring can be a circular or square) and bow or instructor, then each other. This will be done with helmets off out of respect for each other. After this sign of respect they will put on their helmets. Once helmets are on the instructor will ask each student is ready. When each student has responded that they are ready the instructor will signal them to begin.

Points

A student earns points when landing an attack the other student.

Scoring Points

Every part of a student’s body is a target in which a point can be earned. Point values are as follows. Arms and legs are one point, the torso is two points, the head is three points, and any empty-hand attack on the torso or head is one point.

Counter attack

When a student has been scored on he or she can make a single counter attack. If this counter attack is successful the score of the counter attack is subtracted from other's score. Example: student A cuts student B on the torso and student B make a counter attack cutting student A’s arm. Student A would only be awarded one point.

Follow through

When a student lands a point they can make a single motion follow through strike. Example: student A cuts down on B’s hand then instantly follows through with a thrust to the torso. The student would earn points for both the cut and the thrust. In this example the student A would earn three points.

Reset

The instructor will stop and reset the student in the center of the ring when points are scored on a head or torso. If a point is scored on an arm or leg the match will continue without pause. If a student is forced out of the ring the instructor will reset the competitors back to the center. If a student is forced out of the ring they will lose a point.

Finishing a match

A match will end when a student has scored ten points within a three minute time limit. If neither student has scored ten points when time has run out the student with the most points wins. Once either case has happened the insturctor will stop the match. The student will remove their helmets and bow to each other, then the instructor.

This is a type of free sparring, a combination of continuous and stop and adapt. The masters and instructors use this to help develop drills and the technique of the week. They typically only wear helmets and limit their speed and power to about 20-40%. The reduced speed and power allows for time to think and test techniques. It is also the safety for the body. It does reward one's mistakes with sting and maybe a light bruise. A little pain is a good teacher.

In this free sparring round we tested the Kendo and HEMA helmets. Afterwards we determined the HEMA helmet to be the best match.