Tae Kwon Do Sparring Methods

Sparring is a term which is generally applied to all forms of partner work. The term implies that the participants are not expecting to win or loose. There is a distinct difference between competition fighting and sparring and students participating in the latter require special training and preparation.

Sparring however is very much a part of martial arts training and unlike competitions which are solely entered at the students choice it is compulsory to spar. Sparring in ITF Tae Kwon Do can be divided into Set Sparring  where the "attacker" performs a predetermined attack allowing the "defender" to then practice their chosen defence and counter-attack and Free Sparring where the participants where protective equipment are free to perform techniques of attack and defence within certain safety restrictions.