Sparring

Notes on Sparring

There are many different forms of 散打 Sàndǎ (Sparring) which are used for training. It should be noted that sparring and fighting are different things: sparring is a training aid only in our way. Rather than being fixated on competitive fights, we instead focus our attention on what is often called “technical sparring”. This means that, rather than being preoccupied with having a winner and a loser, we use the fight as a learning opportunity for all participants. Technical sparring is a controlled practice where we focus on improving our technique and timing without the goal of knocking out or otherwise injuring our opponent. It’s a key element of high-quality combat sports training, allowing us to apply learned skills in a live, dynamic setting. The main difference between the levels of contact lies in the amount of power used, which directly affects the required protective gear and the risk of injury. Our approach to sparring attempts to allow for a high standard of training for beginner, intermediate and advanced students alike, while also ensuring that this training is done in a safe and healthy manner, without risk of concussion from repeated trauma to the head.

 

Light-Contact Sparring

This is often called touch sparring or flow sparring. All students participate in light-contact sparring and drills. Light contact involves simple touches, pushes or strikes within controlled parameters appropriate to the skill level of the participants. This form of sparring requires no protective equipment, as the speed, targeting and/or power generation are the controlled variables for safety.

A rule of thumb for this level of contact is simple: it involves no pain whatsoever and no risk of injury at all. Contact is so controlled that successful strikes do not cause any pain or injury at all to the practitioner. Strikes are simulated with touches, not hits.

Medium-Contact Sparring

Medium-contact sparring is a step up in intensity for intermediate students. A student must be approved by someone bearing a minimum title of Sifu in order to participate in medium-or high-contact sparring (where protective equipment is needed), and the student must have completed their first three gradings as a minimum. As a result, only those wearing a Yellow Sash or higher will typically be seen sparring in this way. Medium-contact sparring requires that students wear a gumshield and gloves, so as to facilitate a higher degree of training intensity. Headgear is optional for senior members: some may prefer to wear it as it reduces the risk of superficial injuries such as small cuts, grazes and bruises. However, others may prefer not to wear it as it does nothing to minimise concussions, and can get in the way, causing strikes that would have missed (in the event of a successful slip, for example) to catch the headgear as it presents a bigger target. As concussion is the injury we are most concerned about preventing in sparring, we allow students to decide for themselves whether they need to wear headgear. Other protection may be worn, for example shin guards, groin guards, etc, but are not mandatory for senior members.

The focus is more on developing speed and accuracy at this level than power, so we operate at around a 25-50% perceived power for strikes to the body and leg, but still only very light contact to the head with strikes to the head being delivered at a relatively relaxed speed. This is because we do not want to suffer from the effects of repeated micro-concussions, which can often be the result of too much sparring with contact to the head. This allows us to work on our skills in a sufficiently dynamic way without increasing the risk of injury to any significant degree for intermediate students.

As a rule of thumb, in medium-contact sparring, strikes to the body or leg should sting enough in the moment to teach us to defend them, but not be hard enough to properly wind us or leave us with any lasting pain or difficulty moving beyond a bit of a bruise once in a while. For the head, we apply the “Good One” or “Nice One” Rule: a strike to the head should land cleanly enough that taking an unhindered punch to the face should get a reaction of “that was a good one – you got me – nicely done”, but not be hard enough to stun or concuss us. It’s a controlled environment in which we’re safe to practise our skills against a friendly and helpful partner.

High-Contact Sparring

Advanced students participate in higher-contact sparring, where they apply a greater level of intensity than they did in medium-contact sparring. By the time a student is training at the advanced level, they have learned how to protect themselves and how to spar productively and safely, so it is safe for them to increase the intensity by putting more power into their strikes. At this level, shinguards are also necessary. Groin guards are recommended, head guards are optional and body protectors, while not advised, may be worn.

Advanced students undertaking high-contact sparring will typically apply around 50-75% perceived power to the body and legs, and still just light power towards the head. Strikes to the head will be delivered at full speed, however, so there will be a slight increase in intensity compared to medium-contact sparring although our aim is to still minimise any possibility of concussion by significantly limiting the power that is delivered. The “Good One” Rule still applies here.

Often a spar will have limitations or rules attached. For advanced students, sparring may involve multiple assailants, starting in a compromised position, or having set objectives to complicate the situation. More advanced sparring may also involve weapons.

Back-to-Back Sparring

Back-to-Back sparring involves students sitting on the ground, back-to-back, then at a signal beginning a round of groundfighting. For intermediate students, this is biomechanical manipulation only without striking. Striking while grappling on the ground is introduced for advanced students. While back-to-back sparring can safely be quite intense, we do not hold chokes to the point of losing consciousness and we do not push joint locks to the point of causing injury – participants are to adhere to the Tap-Out safety system at all times.

Free Sparring

Advanced students participate in Free Sparring, which may include starting stood up but ending up on the floor, or starting on the floor and ending stood up. This allows the spar to include the full spectrum of techniques and concepts learned, including striking, including throws and takedowns.

Protective Equipment

All equipment used must be inspected and approved by an instructor in charge. It must be kept undamaged and clean. Protection for sparring must not have hard or overly abrasive surfaces, such as rigid plastic faceguards, etc, as these can present significant risks of injury.

For junior members, gumshields, gloves, headguards and shinguards must be worn for all medium- and high-contact sparring. Junior members can only participate in high-contact sparring with other junior members, but may spar in controlled situations with senior members in light- or medium-contact sparring at the instructor’s discretion.

It should be noted that students are required to purchase their own sparring gear, as it is unhygienic to share with others. We are, of course, happy to make recommendations, however, and can order equipment for students if they wish. Please contact us for enquiries.

Further Notes

Where there is a situation of significant disparity, for example one partner being larger, heavier or stronger than another, the intensity of the spar must be befitting of the partner at a disadvantage, so for example a medium-intensity spar must feel like a medium-intensity spar for the smaller, weaker partner, even if that means that that round must feel more like a light-intensity spar for the larger, stronger partner. We do our best to match partners and cycle through a variety of available partners in order to ensure that everyone gets the stimulus they need, without being put at risk.

Any student who does not wish to take part in sparring for whatever reason must inform their Sifu, and must be prepared to watch those who are sparring instead. This should not be considered wasted time, however, as much can be learned from watching sparring sessions. Please note that in order to progress with gradings, sparring is required. Beginners must participate in light sparring during their gradings, intermediate students must participate in medium-contact sparring and advanced students must participate in high-contact sparring in order to pass unless there is a valid medical reason for exemption.

If for any reason a student needs to stop, then the sparring session ends immediately. Loss of self-control and abandonment of the Principles within sparring will result in sanctions, and could result in exclusion from training. Intensity is essential for a good sparring session, but anger has no place in one. If a student ever were to find themselves becoming angry during a spar, the spar should end and the student should reflect on why that feeling arose. Any grievances must be raised with an instructor in charge immediately, so that we can maintain the health, safety and wellbeing of everyone involved. Sparring should be an enjoyable and valuable training experience for every participant. It can be daunting at first, and exhilarating at times, but should never be negative, unpleasant or dangerous. When we spar, we do so for mutual benefit at all times.