Elements of Sparring

Range

• Actual range. Distance between opponents.
• Effective range. Best stance for execution of your technique.
• Opponent's range. Estimate of opponent's effective range.

Timing

• Charging without opponent's attack. Attacking at the instant of detecting an opportunity.
• Response to opponent's attack
  • Early counter at instant opponent starts an attack.
  • Anticipating the attack before any physical movement.
  • Anticipating a physical movement.
  • Executing technique at the end of opponent's initial attack or between attacks.
    • Use shifting to avoid opponent's first attack.
    • Use block to deflect or stop opponent's first attack.

Set-Up Techniques

Used initial movement to create an opportunity by placing opponent in a weaker, more open condition.

• Inviting Techniques. Cause opponent to initiate a technique and then counter.
• Balance Breaking Techniques. Break opponent's physical or mental balance to create an opportunity.
• Continuous Attack Techniques. Use combinations to create one or more opportunities.