how to spar: techniques?

Yuen, sparring is about being able to set your opponent up in order for your own hits to be successful, this is done in one (or a combination of) five ways.

The common Jeet Kune Do terminology is The Five Ways of Attack, however this definition is not confined to JKD and whatever your art you will be using one of these five ways.

This explanation was taken from my blog and is a combination of my own works and the description in The Tao of Jeet Kune Do.

There are many physical and psychological components to attacking movements and these components can be broken down into categories such as simple attack, compound attack or counter-attack.
The intelligent fighter has the ability to change tactics during the course of a fight and the choice of what weapon to use will be dictated by the opponent. It is no good for example a boxer continually throwing a jab against an opponent proficient in blocking or parrying, tactics such as feinting will need to be used to draw a movement from the opponent.
are mentioned in his book Tao of Jeet Kune Do.

Single Direct Attack (SDA)

Single direct attack is simply punching or kicking an opponent at the precise moment of an opening. Single direct attack requires mastery of timing, range and speed and can be used as a pre-cursor to attack by combination. Visual recognition is important in understanding which and when each punch or kick should be utilised.

Attack by Combination (ABC)

An attack by combination may be defined as a series of two or more attacking motions that flow from one to another naturally. Utilizing the hands and feet either separately or in combination, they are compound attacks, with each opening creating another. Although used in conjunction with feints and all other forms of attack such as a single direct attack, in attack by combination each blow in the series in intended to score. This requires economical motion, tight defence, speed, surprise and determination in execution.

Hand Immobilisation Attack (HIA) or Attack by Trapping.

Hand immobilisation (or trapping) tools are necessary when the opponent blocks your single direct attack creating a barrier. In order to continue your attack, you either have to change the line of the attack or remove the barrier. By trapping the barrier becomes immobilised and a new line created for a renewed attack. In addition the opponent is prevented from using the trapped arm (or leg) again.

Attack by Drawing (ABD)

Attack by drawing is essentially counter fighting. It is initiated by `baiting` an opponent into a commitment. It is a premeditated action and its success depends on luring the opponent into attacking the opening being offered. Subtlety is an essential ingredient, as it must not appear to be a deliberate error or the opponent will not take the opening. Attack by drawing can also be offensive actions by making the opponent react in a set manner to develop your own attack.

Progressive Indirect Attack (PIA)

Progressive indirect attack differs from attack by combination in that, in PIA, only the final blow is intended to score. Progressive indirect attack uses feints and false attacks to draw a reaction from the opponent, to induce the execution of a block or other defensive motion, then deceive the defensive move to score on another line of attack. The initial feint or false attack should bridge the distance by at least a half, leaving your final motion only the last half of the distance. Progressive indirect attack is a single forward motion without withdrawal.

The above drills can be done individually or in combination with each other. In addition each has to be drilled as a seperate entity.

As well as understanding the attacking movements it is important to understand the defensive type of opponent you may face.

The Runner

According to Chris Kent and Tim Tackett in the book JKD Kickboxing the runner is flighty and out of range of both hands and feet.

Guarding with Distance

This opponent uses distance, but remains closer than the runner, waiting for the opportunity to score a counter.

Guard/Crash/Block

This opponent remains well covered and is prepared to block an attack and then counter.

The Jammer

This opponent likes to crash into an attack in order to smother and jam it, then throw the counter. He willmaintain a good guard.

The Angler

This guy/girl likes to use footwork and evasicve body angulation to offset your attack.

So as you can see to be able to deal with the different opponents you will face there are many, many components that need to be in place.
Sparring is physical chess, a back and forth exchange, which is rhythmic and unrhythmic. It includes pauses and interuptions and the victor will be the one who can adjust, often in the middle of the exchange.

As well as the the mechanical process you will need to work your distance, timing, footwork and mobility, feints and speed, as weill as a host of other attributes. All of these components again can be broken down into subsections.

Speed for example is a subject all on its own, as there are different types of speed.

1. Perception speed.
2. Mental speed.
3. Initiation speed.
4. Alteration speed.
5. Performance speed.

Yuen, one thing you can do in class is vary your sparring partner. This will help you against varying speeds, different timing and energy. When you do attack do it with confidence, speed and economy of motion.

One thing I have my students do is what I call "watch the turbines".

Don't intercept the punch or kick, intercept the thought process. Watch the mental turbines. As soon as the opponent gets set, thinks of hitting, or adjusts in readiness, you hit, disrupt or move. This places you a half beat in front of them. They can never get ready or set.

Hope that makes some sense. Don't worry about the JKD terminology, it stands up and can be used in all arts.

Good luck and this will all come with time served.

 

Sorry dude.

It took me a while to write and when it was posted I did have a chuckle to myself when I saw yours above it.

 

Further to my earlier post there are some other things the OP needs to be aware of.
To make things easier I am going to deal specifically with punching range, but the advise can be adapted easily for kicks.

Controlling distance.

Step up to your training partner, but be out of punching range. Extend your lead leg and draw an imaginary arc in front of you. Now anywhere inside this line and you are out of distance, allowing the opponent to be on the line puts you in range. This is what I call your sparring circle.
You need to practice being just a fraction inside your sparring circle, such that with the slightest adjustment you can be in range, hit and away to safety.
Inside your sparring circle is where you can relax slightly, conserve energy and take a good look at your opponent.
Maintain a good guard, but keep moving. The old saying "be like the reflection of the moon in the water" remains a good one. Always moving, but always remaining the same (structurally speaking).
This range is (if you are a counter puncher) where you can tease your opponent. You should be teasing with how close you can be to the edge of your sparring circle, getting hit to commit to a movement and ready to counter.
If you are more offensive you can (and should) crash through the sparring circle with a commited attack. Single direct attack to draw his block/parry, followed by an attack by combination.

Types of Sparring

The OP if he wants to improve his sparring does not need to be sparring at too fast a pace.
Within the class structure should be sparring of different types in energies.

Technical Sparring

This is what some of us may recognise as one, two or three step sparring.
Each specific drill is worked seperately.
It may be just a slip or parry off of a jab, or maybe a counter to a lead leg kick. The intensity is slowly increased until the energy is at full speed with the attacker really trying to land the shot.
I have found that you have to slow the student down when doing this.This is so they understand the technique, where the points of balance are, the opponents weak spots and how they recover ready for the next hit.

Conditional Sparring

Here the instructor lays down the ground rules on what can and cannot be used and level of intensity.
20% power, jab and front kick only.

A can only defend, while B can only use kicks.

You must throw at least a three shot combination and angle off when finished.

All Out Sparring

This really speaks for itself.
The student does not need to be doing lots of full contact, as techniques are not learnt here. It is more to understand how they will react in the ring, or when under the stress of a proper fight. The effect of stress on the body will be found out when sparring full contact.

Shadow Boxing

Again there are different types of shadow boxing and this is something that the OP can definately do on his own outside of class.
It takes no equipment, little space and only a few minutes every day.
Even if you do not have a mirror you can turn the interior lights on at night and use a window or patio doors to obtain a reflection.

You can shadow box for speed, movement, combinations (hands, feet or both), balance, pivoting etc.

In terms of the sparring circle, place a shoe on the floor in front of you. As you move in you can practice a front foot pin. Excellent if you move in and trap the opponents lead hand.

If you have a gumshield this is a good time to practice wearing it.
Controlling your breathing is import and and you don't want to struggle in class with the gumshield.

Just like sparring you can set your own conditions.

Must use a defensive move before throwing your own shot.

Must angle off after each hit.

Each technique must include a kick and so on.

Getting Hit

Llamageddon gave good advise when he said you are going to get hit.
If (when) you do get hit, move. Do not return to the same place. If you hit a bag it comes back to the same place and gets hit again, do not make this mistake, move, angle off, slip, weave, whatever it is do not return to the same place.

Take a few shots.

This is good for the soul as long as long as it is sensible. When doing one or two step sparring or conditinal sparring I sometimes allow a few to hit home. Suddenly you realise it is not that bad. It also helps with controlling the flinch, which is the enemy of the beginner.

I'll leave it there before I write a book.
I would like some response (good or bad) from the OP as to whether this has been of help.

 

Honest opinion Llama.

Does it apply to Karate at all? I've never studies Karate and don't really understand how you guys spar (rules etc).

 

Your reflexes certainly will improve.

One of several things will happen: -

• You will get faster as the awkwardness gets less
• You will have more vision awareness.
• Your timing will improve

On top of this you will learn to throw your punch/kick when the opponent is at his weakest, off balance or recovering from doing his own technique.

You'll still get hit though. :cry: