Point-Sparring

In point-sparring (flag sparring), action is stopped each time the referee or a judge see what he or she thinks is a scoring technique, the technique is voted upon, and then action continues. Point sparring has some disadvantages:

Giving Up. In point sparring, fighters can give up when the going gets rough. Giving up in full contact sparring or in a self-defense situation means getting beaten by your opponent. Develop a habit of digging-in and keeping covered when the going gets rough.

Ending Attack Prematurely. In point sparring, the action ends with a point. It may not even be a technique that would ever be devastating to an opponent because either the technique is not a power technique or because it is not a good target. In either case, once a technique is landed it is not time to stop. In full contact sparring or in a self-defense situation, when an opponent is stunned, it is time to dig into your energy reserves and start delivering a series of debilitating blows to end the fight.

High Kick Techniques. High kicks are fun to use and may score in point sparring but they are not advisable for full contact and self-defense situations for two reasons. First, a high kick takes longer to set back down which takes valuable time away from transitioning to a hand technique, especially at close ranges since there is a need to transition to hand techniques quickly. Secondly, high kicks leave you vulnerable in the groin area and to being swept or having your leg trapped.

Weak Techniques. A quick back fist to the head is sure point gainer but it is a weak technique. Back fist a boxer to the head and see what happens next.

Minor Injury Stops Fight. In point and continuous point fighting, sometimes fighting is stopped for minor injuries. You are not injured unless you cannot get up and continue fighting. Getting whacked on the nose, poked in the eye, banged on the shin, or kicked in the stomach are no reason to immediately stop fighting. It is better to fend off the rest of the attack, clear from the fight, and then call time to check you injury.