Step-Sparring

Step-sparring is when two students work together to perform a set of choreographed moves where they alternate as attacker and defender. It is an invaluable training tool for developing self-defense and sparring skills. 

In step-sparring, students should pretend they are in an actual self-defense situation so the exercise will build automatic self-defense reactions. Step-sparring helps students develop the precise control they will need when free-sparring. In step-sparring the opponent is moving in a prearranged manner so it is easier for students to develop their control. They learn the length of their arms and legs and how to make changes in range to accommodate different opponents. 

Students learn to face an attacking fist without blinking or turning away and to react with a block and counterattack. Step-sparring helps students develop clean, precise, powerful techniques without fear of harming their opponents. As a step-sparring technique is repeatedly practiced, the speed of the technique increases without sacrificing power, accuracy, and control. As students advance in rank, the complexity of the step-sparring techniques increases and students are expected to perform them quicker, more accurately, and more powerfully.