Best Sparring Strategies for Beginners (Exclusive)

“Light contact, free sparring!” My instructor would say, after starting class, stretching everyone, getting us warmed, up and in gear.

While it is dangerous, and certainly not for the faint of heart, sparring is one of my favorite past times in Tae Kwon Do. I have sparred many different people with many different skill levels, experiences, and even training! In some of these cases, I even had different rules (sometimes even no rules). Among all of these I have learned one thing. There are as many different sparring strategies as there are people. That said, I’ve decided to share some of the most effective strategies I’ve seen.

Wait and See

This one seems obvious, but in my experience I rarely see it. Students, particularly beginners, are trying to get as many hits in as possible and so they keep kicking. And kicking. And kicking. They just keep going even if there is no obvious target. Next thing they know, they’re so tired and sweaty they can’t lift their leg!

So what’s the solution to this problem? Wait and see. Literally just that. Instead of going again and again, try waiting for your next obvious target. Yes, this might take awhile, but it’ll come. Eventually. This is especially true if your opponent is just flailing about aimlessly. They’ll get tired, drop their arms, and that’s when you hit their hogu (the chest guard) as much as you want.

Headshot or No Shot

This strategy is quite the opposite. Instead of waiting for the target to open, you hit one target: the head. Assuming your instructor allows it, this can be a good strategy. Some schools don’t allow it though, so make sure yours does!

In a full contact sparring match, hitting the head gets you bonus points. In the Olympics it’s 3 points for a kick to the head and an extra 2 if it’s a spinning kick to the head! Theoretically, if you’re flexible and fast (and it’s allowed), you could focus on hitting your opponent’s head over any part of your body. Make sure it’s okay with your sparring partner and your instructor, though. You don’t want to get in trouble (or accidentally cause a concussion)!

The More the Merrier

Experienced sparring partners are used to being hit. You know what they’re not used to? Being hit more than once. This obviously isn’t always the case, but I’ve found that many partners simply aren’t used to being hit more than once.

If you’ve been training awhile it’s very likely your instructor has had you do some sort of combination. Whether it’s on a target or in the air, you’ve probably done a series of kicks in a row. All you have to do is apply that to a sparring match. Hit them in the hogu with a round house kick? Follow that up with another!

Tae Kwon Do is one of the fastest martial arts in the world, and there is no better demonstration of this then in Tae Kwon Do sparring. With kick after kick being traded between the opponents at lightning fast speeds, it’s hard to learn their strategies. One thing is apparent though. Every opponent is different and not every match is the same. Most importantly, each is a learning opportunity, so take advantage of that! As my instructor told me: Be Safe, Be Smart, Have Fun!

Disclaimer: This site is for informational and entertainment purposes only. All martial arts techniques and exercises should be supervised by a trained martial arts instructor in order to prevent injuries and to ensure the proper technique is utilized. The information on these pages and videos is meant only to reinforce and supplement the instruction given at your martial arts classes. To properly understand these techniques, you need to learn them from a martial arts instructor who can provide you with an in-depth explanation of the technique, help correct your mistakes, answer your questions and detail how the technique should be utilized. In addition, all martial arts techniques and training should be used safely and responsibly.