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University of LeicesterTaeKwon Do Club
SPARRING (MATSOGI)
Although Tae Kwon Do is a defensive art, training by the practical application of techniques against a real adversary, or even several, is very important. It is also an excellent way to check what a student has learned.
Sparring is indispensable for the student who wishes to progress. During sparring, he or she will test skills acquired, learn to recognize and, with practice, anticipate the opponent's tactics; sparring builds self-control, self-confidence, and courage.
There are two types of sparring: set (fixed step) sparring and free sparring:
SET SPARRING (YAKSOK MATSOGI)
Set sparring is a set of prearranged exercises, the purpose of which is to help the student understand the purpose of the movements, to master interaction with the opponent regarding stances and distances, to develop faster reflexes and instantaneous response in self-defence.
There are three levels of step sparring: three-step (sambo matsogi) for beginners, two-step (ibo matsogi) for more advanced students, and one-step (ilbo matsogi) for senior grades.
Instructions for three and two-step sparring can be found by clicking on the tabs above.
One-step sparring has no set movements; the student is free to use any defence they feel comfortable with. Both students begin in parallel ready stance. The attacker steps forward into walking stance making mid section reverse punch, while the defender performs a block and then counters. The same technique is performed twice by the defender (once on each side) then the roles are reversed.
While students may initially use simple techniques that they are familiar with from patterns and step sparring, they may also perform any combination of blocks and counters they wish, including jumping techniques, holds and throws. The idea of the exercise is to demonstrate control and mastery of the technique, however; so while techniques may be practiced in training, they should not be used in gradings unless the student can perform them comfortably.
SEMI-FREE SPARRING (BAN JAYU MATSOGI)
Semi free sparring follows a similar pattern to three-step set sparring, except the attacker is free to perform any three attacks they wish, and the defender has to defend appropriately before performing a counter attack. The attacker begins in left walking stance low outer forearm block, while the defender begins in parallel ready stance.
FREE SPARRING (JAYU MATSOGI)
Free sparring is not pre-arranged. There is no prescribed number of steps or movements. It is essentially open combat with controlled attacks using all available means and methods. In order to prevent injury, protective equipment is worn. The teaching of free sparring starts at yellow belt.
Evaluation of free sparring is based on accuracy, speed, timing, distance, and quality of technique executed. Balance, blocking and dodging skills, and attitude are also very important.
Because each of the participants is free to move and attack, free sparring encourages the development of strategies for attack and defence, while improving speed and timing. Since free sparring is practiced as a non-stop fight that may consist of one or more rounds, and vary from short rounds of 30 seconds up to several minutes, being in top physical condition is very important.
Students may be asked to perform hands-only (son matsogi) or feet-only sparring (bal matsogi) to work on certain areas of technique.
The other type of sparring encountered in training is where the student faces more than one opponent. Most commonly, this will be two against one (idil matsogi), although advanced students may face three (samdil matsogi), or even more opponents on occasion.
CALL AND RESPONSE
An important part of set and semi-free sparring is ensuring the the defender is ready to receive the attack. Thus, before starting, the attacker will indicate that they are ready with a kihap. The defender will respond to indicate that they are ready, then the exercise begins as the attacker moves forward.
THREE STEP SPARRING (SAMBO MATSOGI)
Three step sparring is designed for the beginner student to learn the basic techniques:
- proper distance
- correct facing & positioning
- forearm conditioning
- correct blocks
- correct stances
- counter attacks
- timing
- control
- co-ordination
TWO STEP SPARRING (IBO MATSOGI)
Two step sparring is designed for the intermediate student to learn more advanced techniques, developing the same attributes as for three step, but with more varied attacks, thus allowing the student to develop various combinations.
THREE STEP SPARRING (SAMBO MATSOGI)
|
Starting positions: Attacker - left walking stance, low outer forearm block Defender - parallel ready stance | Click Here for PDF |
| NUMBER 1 | |
|---|---|
| Move: | Starting with the right leg, move backwards three times in walking stance |
| Defence: | Middle inner forearm inside block |
| Counter: | Middle reverse punch |
| NUMBER 2 | |
|---|---|
| Move: | Starting with the left leg, move backwards three times in l-stance |
| Defence: | Middle inner forearm outside block |
| Counter: | Move the rear foot out to the left, bring the right across into l-stance, knifehand strike to the neck |
| NUMBER 3 | |
|---|---|
| Move: | Starting with the left leg, move backwards three times in l-stance |
| Defence: | Middle outer forearm inward block |
| Counter: | High backfist front strike to the bridge of the nose |
| NUMBER 4 | |
|---|---|
| Move: | Starting with the left leg, move backwards three times in l-stance |
| Defence: | Middle outer forearm outside block |
| Counter: | Move the left foot out into sitting stance with a measuring punch, double middle punch |
| NUMBER 5 | |
|---|---|
| Move: | Starting with the right leg, move backwards twice in l-stance |
| Defence: | Outer forearm inside block |
| Counter: | Step out to the side into sitting stance making simultaneous left arm inside outer forearm block and right high punch |
| NUMBER 6 | |
|---|---|
| Move: | Starting with the right leg, move backwards twice in l-stance |
| Defence: | Knifehand inside block |
| Counter: | Step out to the side into sitting stance making simultaneous left arm inside knifehand block and right high inward knifehand strike |
| NUMBER 7 | |
|---|---|
| Move: | Starting with the right leg, move backwards twice in l-stance |
| Defence: | Inside outer forearm guarding block. |
| Counter: | Slide the left foot back into l-stance making same block. Step forward into middle front snap kick followed by middle double punch |
| NUMBER 8 | |
|---|---|
| Move: | Starting with the right leg, move backwards twice in l-stance |
| Defence: | Inside knifehand guarding block |
| Counter: | Slide the left foot back into l-stance making same block. Step forward into middle side kick followed by knifehand side strike |
| NUMBER 9 | |
|---|---|
| Move: | Starting with the left leg, move backwards three times in l-stance |
| Defence: | Outside inward palm heel pushing block. On the third step, slide out to the side |
| Counter: | Back leg middle turning kick, step behind opponent in l-stance performing high knifehand strike to the back of the neck |
| NUMBER 10 | |
|---|---|
| Move: | Starting with the right leg, move backwards three times in l-stance |
| Defence: | Inside knifehand guarding block |
| Counter: | Spinning back kick to reverse knifehand strike |
TWO STEP SPARRING (IBO MATSOGI)
|
Starting positions: Attacker - right L stance, forearm guarding block Defender - parallel ready stance | Click Here for PDF |
| NUMBER 1 | |
|---|---|
| Attack step 1 | R forward into R walking stance making high front punch |
| Attack step 2 | L forward into L leg low front snap kick |
| Defence step 1 | L back into L walking stance making forearm rising block |
| Defence step 2 | R back into X-fist pressing block |
| Counter attack | Twin vertical punch |
| NUMBER 2 | |
|---|---|
| Attack step 1 | R forward into fixed stance side punch |
| Attack step 2 | L forward into L leg middle section turning kick |
| Defence step 1 | R back into R L-stance making palm upward block |
| Defence step 2 | L back to L L-stance making waist block |
| Counter attack | Slide into R L-stance making side (back?) elbow strike |
| NUMBER 3 | |
|---|---|
| Attack step 1 | R forward into R leg middle section front snap kick |
| Attack step 2 | L forward into L walking stance making twin vertical punch |
| Defence step 1 | R back into L walking stance making X-fist pressing block |
| Defence step 2 | L back into R walking stance making wedging block |
| Counter attack | Grab opponent's shoulders and pull down for knee upward kick |
| NUMBER 4 | |
|---|---|
| Attack step 1 | R forward into R walking stance making high flat fingertip thrust |
| Attack step 2 | L forward into L leg low section side kick |
| Defence step 1 | R back into L walking stance making knifehand rising block |
| Defence step 2 | L back into L L-stance making R hand inward palm pushing block |
| Counter attack | L leg low front snap kick followed by twin upset punch |
| NUMBER 5 | |
|---|---|
| Attack step 1 | R forward into R back kick |
| Attack step 2 | L forward into L walking stance making high open fist strike |
| Defence step 1 | R back into R L-stance making palm outward waist block |
| Defence step 2 | L back into L L-stance outer forearm inward block |
| Counter attack | Slip R forward into R walking stance reverse knifehand inward strike |
| NUMBER 6 | |
|---|---|
| Attack step 1 | R forward into R high turning kick |
| Attack step 2 | L forward into L walking stance making high arc hand strike |
| Defence step 1 | L back into sitting stance making high twin straight forearm block |
| Defence step 2 | R back into R L-stance making palm hooking block to grabbing block |
| Counter attack | Hold arm while making L middle side kick |
| NUMBER 7 | |
|---|---|
| Attack step 1 | R forward into R fixed stance making outward side fist strike |
| Attack step 2 | L forward into L leg middle reverse turning kick |
| Defence step 1 | L back into L L-stance making twin forearm block |
| Defence step 2 | Slide R back into R L-stance knifehand guarding block (avoid kick) |
| Counter attack | R leg high reverse turning kick |
| NUMBER 8 | |
|---|---|
| Attack step 1 | R forward into R leg middle side kick |
| Attack step 2 | Spin anticlockwise to R L-stance high knifehand strike |
| Defence step 1 | R back into R L-stance making inner forearm inward waist block |
| Defence step 2 | R back into R L-stance making knifehand guarding block |
| Counter attack | R forward into L X-stance making backfist high side strike |
ONE STEP SPARRING (ILBO MATSOGI)
We practice three types of One Step sparring.
- The basic type begins with both partners facing each other in parallel ready stance. The attacker will then step forwards into right walking stance making single middle section obverse punch. The defender may perform any blocking or avoiding technique they wish, and follow with a counter attack of their choice. The same attacker then repeats with a lef tpunch, and the defender performs the same technique on the other side. Partners then swap roles, such that the defender becomes the attacker, and continues as above.
Variants of this include being asked to use hand or foot attacks only; to include jumping attacks; or to demonstrate locks, holds, & takedowns. - The second type is performed exactly as above, but instead of single front punch the attacker may use any attack, and the defender must respond appropriately.
- The third type is Continuous One Step. It begins with a single front punch as the attack, as above, but after the defender's block, the attacker directly blocks the counter and responds with a counter of his own, which will in turn be blocked and counter attacked. This continues until told to stop.