About step sparring!
Dear All,
Step sparring is instrumental in the progress of a martial artist! When learned (taught) properly the 3 forms of step sparring have each an individual value...
3-step / Allows controlled practice of the application of new techniques. Also, it helps beginners with distance, timing, and rythem. It also allows a new student to receive "incoming fire" for the first time. This is equal to a slow underhand toss of a ball when teaching a child to play catch!
2-step / Teaches a student to react to more than one type of attack (as would be found in combinations)...for instance, front kick, reverse punch...while assisting in timing of a counter attack...Actually, in boxing -aka "the sweet science"- you are often trained to be weiry of countering the first strike as it may be a faint (setup) but to allow your opponent to prove commitment with his follow-up!
1-step / Teaches the defender (counter attacker) to attack under fire. You simultaniously attack during your attackers primary strike. The best defense is a strong offense!
Note: The number in the step sparring (ie 1 step) indicates the number of movements the attacker will be allowed to make before the defender counter attacks...not the number of movements in the counter!
These are great ways to ease students into dynamic movement! Hyungs (patterns) and line drills are static in that they are not preformed against a moving opponent. Step sparring is an intro to dynamic movement, and free sparring is the "DYNAMIC" end result!
First you teach your child to make a basket for the ball to fall in to (patterns), then you toss the ball softly (step sparring), quickly, the child can catch anything you throw (free sparring)!
These are the explanations given by my instructor years ago and they still make since!
TAEKWON!
Spookey
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