Sparring Tips

Take initiative

Winning means knowing when to attack and seize the initiative. Opponents are vulnerable to a successful attack when:

• They are thinking of attacking. This is the best time to take control. This is the time to suppress the opponent's desire to engage in a fight. This may be achieved by displaying superior skills and humble confidence.
• They decide to attack. At this moment, the opponent's mind is preoccupied in sending orders to the muscles.
• They begin the attack. This is the realm of the counter fighter. While the opponent is attacking, he or she is thinking about defending.

Fight smart

Do not just throw techniques haphazardly. Use the combinations you practice in class. Use a combination once or twice, then use it again but change the last technique. Many fighters repeat certain combinations, so look for them, and use counters to score when they are used. Try using several hard body techniques then fake to the body followed by an immediate kick to the head. Look for openings when they occur or make openings. The best fighters dance around, make quick combination attacks, counter any attack, and look for telegraphing movements or openings and react instinctually.