All students are subject to the rules of sparring. Failure to adhere to these rules is cause for dismissal and termination of the membership agreement. Absolutely no exceptions are permitted to the sparring rules.
Sparring is undertaken at members-own risk and in accordance with the terms and conditions of the membership agreement.
These rules are not listed in order of importance, all carry equal weight and value.
Approved safety equipment must be used at all times. The following safety equipment is required: protective footwear, protective hand wear, head guard, shin guards, mouth guard, groin guard, and chest protectors. All students are required to have full safety equipment.
Sparring is allowed ONLY in the presence, and with the permission, of an Instructor.
Sparring is LIGHT CONTACT only. It is important to remember that members are training partners and not opponents.
All contact will be light and controlled to legal target areas. Legal target areas are as follows: the protective headgear (not the nose or face area), the front of the body above the belt (no kicks below the belt), the rib cage area (not the back). Techniques to the head guard are to be made only with a controlled light tapping, sufficient to indicate a point but insufficient to cause the recipient's head to move in any way.
No full-contact sparring will take place under any circumstances.
Point sparring consists of timed rounds or by the accumulation of points.
Sparring consists of one or a series of rounds performed in a nonstop manner. The purpose of sparring is to build confidence and improve skills.
Don’t be a bully. Sparring is for learning concentration, speed, focus, control, balance, agility. We are practicing old and new kicking and punching techniques. Do not attempt to dominate the other person. If you are bigger or faster or more skilled than your partner (no matter what their belt rank) don’t try to hurt them or dominate them.
When someone is backed up against the wall or any other object that prevents them from backing up, stop free-sparring and move back to your starting position. If your partner keeps moving back "think". Do not constantly chase them around the room
Free-sparring is for developing coordination, reflexes, and timing. If you are constantly backing up away from your partner you are missing the opportunity to become better. Stay in close (sparring range). If your partner is dominating you or being too rough simply tell them to please back off.
If your partner falls to the floor stop sparring and help them up.
Remember the object is to help each other get better. If you are focused only on dominating or winning you will never master new techniques or evolve as a Martial Artist.
Students will never be forced to spar with anyone. At any time before or during a match or round, students may, without reservation, bow out of the match by indicating to both the training partner and the instructor that you do not care to participate.
