SPARRING (kyo rugi)

We feel that sparring plays a vital role in Taekwondo training for all students.  We approach sparring as a training tool, not a malicious fight.  The objective is to better your opponent using skill and strategy, not to beat somebody up.  It teaches physical self-control by being able to control the power used and the placement of the attacks, mental self-control by being able to strategize and think your way through a match, and emotional self-control by transforming fear into something positive and by controlling anger.  It teaches self-defense skills by showing the student how they will naturally react to the threat of an attacker and it teaches them the correct way to react.  The underlying objective is to learn about yourself and to work toward self-mastery.

All students will be required to engage in sparring frequently throughout their training.  Students are not rushed into it or put into situations beyond their abilities.  Proper basic techniques are taught to all students before any sparring is allowed.

Our school teaches and trains in full-contact sparring for all ages with the use of protective equipment.  Also we practice non-contact and light-contact forms of sparring with and without protective equipment.  Precautions are taken at all times to insure the safety of our students as a first priority.  All sparring must be supervised by an instructor.  There is not sparring allowed outside of the dojang or without supervision!!!

Contact areas permitted in full-contact sparring is as follows:  The fist may contact the trunk, sides and flank areas covered by the chest protector.  The foot may contact the trunk, sides and flank areas covered by the chest protector and the head on all sides for students 12 and older with headgear on and mouth guard in place.

Required equipment for full-contact sparring is as follows:  Chest protector, headgear, mouth guard, forearm protectors, shin and instep protectors, and groin protector for males.  All students must have mouth guards and male students must have groin protectors in order to participate in full-contact sparring.  Sparring equipment is not required until each student reaches Yellow Stripe.   At that time students will be asked to purchase their own sparring equipment.  Sparring equipment MUST be purchased through the school to ensure proper safety and industry standards.  Our school has many accounts in place with martial arts companies, and we are able to get most items below retail cost.  Please come to us with any martial arts equipment needs.

Please note:  Even with the protective equipment worn properly and all safety precautions taken, injuries may occur.  This is a risk that participating students take upon themselves when sparring.  Any injuries not obvious to the naked eye must be reported by the student immediately to the instructor to prevent further injury and to insure proper attention.