Sparring

Sparring is about being able to set your opponent up in order for your own hits to be successful, this is done in one (or a combination of) five ways.

The common Jeet Kune Do terminology is The Five Ways of Attack and we have covered these ways in an earlier blog entry.
There are many physical and psychological components to attacking movements and these components can be broken down into categories such as simple attack, compound attack or counter-attack.

The intelligent fighter has the ability to change tactics during the course of a fight and the choice of what weapon to use will be dictated by the opponent. It is no good for example a boxer continually throwing a jab against an opponent proficient in blocking or parrying, tactics such as feinting will need to be used to draw a movement from the opponent.

As well as understanding the attacking movements it is important to understand the defensive type of opponent you may face.


The Runner

According to Chris Kent and Tim Tackett in the book JKD Kickboxing the runner is flighty and out of range of both hands and feet.

Guarding with Distance

This opponent uses distance, but remains closer than the runner, waiting for the opportunity to score a counter.


Guard/Crash/Block

This opponent remains well covered and is prepared to block an attack and then counter.


The Jammer

This opponent likes to crash into an attack in order to smother and jam it, then throw the counter. He will maintain a good guard.


The Angler

This guy/girl likes to use footwork and evasicve body angulation to offset your attack.
So as you can see to be able to deal with the different opponents you will face there are many, many components that need to be in place.
Sparring is physical chess, a back and forth exchange, which is rhythmic and unrhythmic. It includes pauses and interuptions and the victor will be the one who can adjust, often in the middle of the exchange.

As well as the the mechanical process you will need to work your distance, timing, footwork and mobility, feints and speed, as weill as a host of other attributes. All of these components again can be broken down into subsections.

Speed for example is a subject all on its own, as there are different types of speed.


1. Perception speed.

2. Mental speed.

3. Initiation speed.

4. Alteration speed.

5. Performance speed

One thing you can do in class is vary your sparring partner. This will help you against varying speeds, different timing and energy. When you do attack do it with confidence, speed and economy of motion.
One thing I have my students do is what I call "watch the turbines".
Don't intercept the punch or kick, intercept the thought process. Watch the mental turbines. As soon as the opponent gets set, thinks of hitting, or adjusts in readiness, you hit, disrupt or move. This places you a half beat in front of them. They can never get ready or set.

Controlling distance.


Step up to your training partner, but be out of punching range. Extend your lead leg and draw an imaginary arc in front of you. Now anywhere inside this line and you are out of distance, allowing the opponent to be on the line puts you in range. This is what I call your sparring circle.
You need to practice being just a fraction inside your sparring circle, such that with the slightest adjustment you can be in range, hit and away to safety.
Inside your sparring circle is where you can relax slightly, conserve energy and take a good look at your opponent.
Maintain a good guard, but keep moving. The old saying "be like the reflection of the moon in the water" remains a good one. Always moving, but always remaining the same (structurally speaking).
This range is (if you are a counter puncher) where you can tease your opponent. You should be teasing with how close you can be to the edge of your sparring circle, getting hit to commit to a movement and ready to counter.
If you are more offensive you can (and should) crash through the sparring circle with a commited attack. Single direct attack to draw his block/parry, followed by an attack by combination.

Types of Sparring


Within the class structure should be sparring of different types and energies.

Technical Sparring

This is what some of us may recognise as one, two or three step sparring.
Each specific drill is worked seperately.
It may be just a slip or parry off of a jab, or maybe a counter to a lead leg kick. The intensity is slowly increased until the energy is at full speed with the attacker really trying to land the shot.
I have found that you have to slow the student down when doing this.This is so they understand the technique, where the points of balance are, the opponents weak spots and how they recover ready for the next hit.

Conditional Sparring


Here the instructor lays down the ground rules on what can and cannot be used and level of intensity.
20% power, jab and front kick only.
A can only defend, while B can only use kicks.
You must throw at least a three shot combination and angle off when finished.

All Out Sparring
This really speaks for itself.

The student does not need to be doing lots of full contact, as techniques are not learnt here. It is more to understand how they will react in the ring, or when under the stress of a proper fight. The effect of stress on the body will be found out when sparring full contact.

Shadow Boxing

Again there are different types of shadow boxing and this is something that the student can definately do on his/her own outside of class.
It takes no equipment, little space and only a few minutes every day.
Even if you do not have a mirror you can turn the interior lights on at night and use a window or patio doors to obtain a reflection.
You can shadow box for speed, movement, combinations (hands, feet or both), balance, pivoting etc.

In terms of the sparring circle, place a shoe on the floor in front of you. As you move in you can practice a front foot pin. Excellent if you move in and trap the opponents lead hand.
If you have a gumshield this is a good time to practice wearing it.
Controlling your breathing is import and and you don't want to struggle in class with the gumshield.
Just like sparring you can set your own conditions.
Must use a defensive move before throwing your own shot.
Must angle off after each hit.
Each technique must include a kick and so on.

Getting Hit

If (when) you do get hit, move. Do not return to the same place. If you hit a bag it comes back to the same place and gets hit again, do not make this mistake, move, angle off, slip, weave, whatever it is do not return to the same place.
Take a few shots.
This is good for the soul as long as long as it is sensible. When doing one or two step sparring or conditinal sparring I sometimes allow a few to hit home. Suddenly you realise it is not that bad. It also helps with controlling the flinch, which is the enemy of the beginner.