Sparring training should typically be conducted with students dressed (at a minimum) in their hogus. Shin/Instep and forearm guards would be advised when performing Hogu training. Students should practice the techniques and motions wearing the equipment they will be competing with in order to establish familiarity with fit, feel, and restrictions of movement.

 

FOOTWORK & BASIC MOVEMENTS

BASIC MOVEMENTS

• Switch stance
• Switch foot
• Step forward
• Step backward
• Slide forward
• Slide backward
• Side step
• Backspin forward
• Backspin rear

FOOTWORK

• Switch stance, switch stance
• Switch stance, front leg fake
• Switch stance, charging fake
• Switch stance, step forward
• Switch stance, backspin
• Switch stance, backspin, switch stance
• Switch stance, backspin, step forward
• Slide forward
• Slide forward, step forward
• Slide backward, step backward
• Slide backward, switch stance
• Slide backward, back leg roundhouse fade to switch stance
• Mirroring Practice (forward,back,side to side)
• Step forward, bounce
• Step forward, open angle side track
• Step forward, switch stance
• Step forward, step forward, step back + front leg roundhouse
• Step forward, backspin
• Step forward, backspin, slide forward
• Step forward, backspin, switch stance
• Step backward, switch stance
• Step backward, closed angel side track
• Step backward, open angel side track
• Step backward, front leg roundhouse
• Back leg push
• Back leg, knee up fake
• Front leg push

• Front leg, knee up fake

• Front leg, bent knee fake
• Fighting stance, knee-up bouncing
• Fighting stance, knee-up bounce, front leg roundhouse
• Fighting stance, shoulder fake
• Fighting stance, charging fake

BLOCKS & DEFLECTIONS

• Open stance, downward midsection block (open side)
• Open stance, midsection block (closed side)
• Closed stance, midsection block (open side)
• Closed stance, midsection block (closed side)
• Highsection arm block
• Highsection guarding block

 

PADDLE DRILLS (stationary)

• Roundhouse kick (back leg)
• Roundhouse kick (back leg, fade)
• Roundhouse kick (back leg, same leg front leg)
• Roundhouse kick (back leg) + switch stance, roundhouse kick (back leg)
• Roundhouse kick (front leg)
• Roundhouse kick (slide back)
• Roundhouse kick (fastkick)
• Roundhouse kick + spin side kick
• Roundhouse kick + jump spin side kick
• Roundhouse kick + spin wheel kick
• Roundhouse kick + spin roundhouse kick
• Roundhouse kick + 360 spin roundhouse
• Roundhouse kick (back leg) + wheel kick
• Roundhouse kick (back leg) + step back, same-leg wheel kick
• Backspin Roundhouse kick
• Double Roundhouse kick
• Low-high Roundhouse kick
• 360 Spin Roundhouse kick
• Hook kick (back leg)
• Hook kick (front leg)
• Hook kick (sliding, front leg)
• Hook kick (spinning)
• Drop axe kick (front leg)
• Drop axe kick (sliding, front leg)
• Drop axe kick (back leg)
• Drop axe kick + spin side kick
• Drop axe kick + jump spin side kick
• Wheel kick (standing)
• Wheel kick (step forward)

 

PADDLE / KICKING SHIELD (or held, folded hogu) (moving down the floor)

• Roundhouse kick (fastkick) + roundhouse kick (back leg)
• Roundhouse kick (fastkick, double kick)
• Roundhouse kick (back leg, double kick)
• Roundhouse kick (back leg) + switch foot, roundhouse kick (front leg)
• Roundhouse kick (fastkick) + Roundhouse kick (fast kick)
• Roundhouse kick (fastkick) + switch stance, roundhouse kick (back leg)
• Backspin Roundhouse kick + slide backward, roundhouse kick (back leg)
• Spin side kick (holder counters roundhouse kick) + side step, roundhouse kick (back leg)
• Sliding push kick (front leg) (holder counters roundhouse kick) + spin side kick

 

BAG DRILLS (single techniques)

• Roundhouse kick (front leg)
• Roundhouse kick (back leg)
• Roundhouse kick (back leg, fade)
• Roundhouse kick (slide back)
• Roundhouse kick (fastkick)
• Roundhouse kick (back leg, same leg front leg)
• Backspin Roundhouse kick
• 360 Spin Roundhouse kick
• Spin Side kick
• Sliding Side kick
• Sliding Hook kick
• Jump Spin Side kick
• In-close, slide back + roundhouse kick (back leg)
• In-close, jump back + roundhouse kick (back leg)

 

BAG DRILLS (combinations)

• Double Roundhouse kick
• Low-high Roundhouse kick
• Roundhouse kick (front leg)
• Roundhouse kick (back leg) + spin side kick
• Roundhouse kick (back leg) + jump spin side kick
• Roundhouse kick (back leg) + jump spin crossing kick
• Roundhouse kick (back leg) + step back, same-leg wheel kick
• Roundhouse kick (back leg) + slide back, roundhouse kick (back leg)
• Roundhouse kick (back leg) + slide back, jumping roundhouse kick (back leg)
• Roundhouse kick (fast kick) + slide back, roundhouse kick (back leg)
• Roundhouse kick (fast kick) + slide back, jumping roundhouse kick (back leg)
• Roundhouse kick (fast kick) + switch stance, roundhouse kick (back leg)
• Roundhouse kick (fast kick) + side step, outside drop axe kick
• Roundhouse kick (fast kick) + step back, spin side kick
• Outside axe kick + side kick (same leg)
• Outside axe kick + hook kick (same leg)
• Outside axe kick + roundhouse kick (back leg)
• Push kick (back leg) + roundhouse kick (back leg)
• Push kick (back leg) + roundhouse kick (front leg)
• Push kick (front leg) + roundhouse kick (back leg)
• Push kick (front leg) + roundhouse kick (front leg)
• Spin side kick + roundhouse kick (back leg)

 

HOGU CONTACT DRILLS

• Roundhouse kick targeting (single partner)
• Roundhouse kick targeting (line drills)
• Roundhouse kick (front leg) repetitions
• [Attack] Roundhouse kick (back leg) - [Counter] step back, roundhouse kick (back leg)
• [Attack] Roundhouse kick (back leg) - [Counter] spin side kick
• [Attack] Roundhouse kick (back leg) - [Counter] step back, outside drop axe
• [Attack] Roundhouse kick (back leg) - [Counter] step back, push kick (back leg) + roundhouse kick (back leg)
• [Attack] Roundhouse kick (fast kick) - [Counter] step back, roundhouse kick (back leg)
• [Attack] Roundhouse kick (fast kick) - [Counter] downward midsection block + roundhouse kick (fast kick)
• [Attack] Roundhouse kick (fast kick) - [Counter] spin side kick
• [Attack] Step forward feign - [Counter] spin side kick - [Attack] roundhouse (back leg)
• [Attack] Spin side kick - roundhouse kick counter + side step roundhouse kick
• Push kick (back leg), step spin side kick
• [Attack] Step forward feign, step back (opponent counter roundhouse) + [Attack] roundhouse kick (back leg)
• [Attack] Backspin roundhouse kick - [Counter] spin side kick
• [Attack] Backspin roundhouse kick - [Counter] roundhouse kick (back leg)
• [Attack] Roundhouse kick [back leg] - [Counter] Hook kick (front leg)

 

CONDITIONING EXCERCISES

• Plyometric drills
• Bouncing, switch stances
• Front knee-ups
• Front knee-up, front roundhouse alternating
• Han Wan Lee
• Front Flutter kicks
• Twisting roundhouse flutter kicks
• Crossing kick line drill
• Two fisted jump spin crossing kicks
• Roundhouse kick leg exercises (partner)
• Front snap kick leg exercises (partner)
• side kick leg exercises (partner)
• Spin side kick leg exercises (partner)
• Footwork mirroring
• Leading punch, rear punch, roundhouse kick (back leg)
• Roundhouse kick (back leg), slide back + roundhouse kick (back leg) repeating (on bag)
• Roundhouse kick (front leg) repeating (on bag)

 

CRITERIA FOR SUCCESS IN COMPETITION

• Endurance

The athelete that has the physical stamina to endure the pace and duration of a competitive match with as little impact to their cardiovascular system as possible will have an advantage over a superior opponent.

• Speed

The ability to deliver and land a techniques faster than your opponent can react or compensate for is often a deciding factor in any match. A faster competitor will win over a physically stronger or less agile athelete.

• Timing

Having the knowledge and experience to understanding when the best time to attack or counter is crucial for being able successfully land techniques on target. A poorly timed attack can lead to loss or injury.

• Opportunity

Obtaining a victory in sparring is often a matter of leveraging opportunity to your advantage and if necessary, purposely creating the opportunity required to win. An athelete shouldn't spar the same way each time, against any competitor. The strengths and weaknesses of a particular competitor should be understood before entering the ring. If this is not feasible, then the intelligent competitor should assess his competion as the match progresses and determine the best changes for creating the opportunity to score.

 

GENERAL SPARRING TIPS

• Start sparring early in your Taekwondo journey

• Build up your stamina and endurance

• Remember the 3 principles of sparring: RESERVE energy - RELEASE energy - and REGENERATE energy

• Never throw just one technique

• Never just walk into the correct distance and kick

• Never throw a technique when you know that you will not be able to land it - Don't kick just to be kicking - Let each technique have a purpose

• Understand your kicking distance

• Always use footwork or faking to bring your opponent closer to you

• Always plan on your opponent having a counter-attack

• Always plan on countering your opponent's counter attack

• Try to get your opponent to attack first; either by a fake or giving them opportunity

• Do not telegraph your attacks - be aware of your body positioning

• Fully commit to your attacks - hesitation can lead to injury

• Never show fear or apprehension when sparring

• Understand that fear is normal - but don't let it stand in your way

• Make sure your stance is never wider than your shoulder width - wider stances make movements slower

• Relax your body before you strike - tension inhibits muscle flexibility and slows down attacks

• The best moment to strike an opponent is when they are about to launch an attack or are finishing landing from an attack

• Focus on the target without looking at the target

• Learn to side step when kicking in close distance

• Don't block unnecessary attacks

• Don't turn your back on an opponent

• When fighting a defensive fighter, use fakes and slights to open them up before attacking