Categories: Karate-Wado Ryo, Fight Club and Combat Sparring is a an essential part of any martial art training. There are different types of sparring most namely semi and full contact sparring. Sparring aids and puts to practise the techniques and moves a martial artist has acquired while training.

While sparring a MA can learn about distance, footwork co-ordination, speed, timing, counter attacking and what moves are there forte and where they have weaknesses. I personally think once you reach a high level of skill and are in the brown belt or black belt category that sparring should not be weaker students but be with tougher and tougher opponents. Personally I found when I sparred my sensai several times over the period of a few months that I would easily handle any student in my gym and would often have to refrain punches and kicks.

I would be on a complete different wavelength. Because I was fighting someone far stronger and faster than me I started to get fast, move better and make my moves count. I was no longer sparring lightly I was sparring hard and I was hitting with everything I had.

I did get black eyes, a broken nose, sprained toes, heavy bruises and been knocked out about 10 times as well as seeing stars after a uraken chudan (backfist) to the head but I do 10 times over if it lifts my game and gives me that extra edge on the street. A big thing in sparring is when you strike that you dont strike air or make a half hearted attempt. When you strike it s strong, fast and hits like a whip and pulls back.

Basically saying yo bro if you are trying to hit me your goin take some led doin it and it s goin hurt. - It was Bruce Lee who said this and it s very true if your opponent is throwing lazy kicks evade one and land three to four rapid hard blows and yell doing them. Not only will you frighten the life out of him but he will seriously be considering what to next as you mean business.

is essential when fighting, you could be the best fighter in the gym but if you get over excited or expend to much in the first couple of minutes sparring you will gas out and you will not be able to do anything worthy of note to your opponent who will pick you apart and knock your ass out. is also key, If yor all tight and rigid and you are trying to land bombs you will feel like you are trying to punch through water! A fighter should be lose and relaxed when not in engaged and when he attacks he attacks full heartedly with power and eyes open and retreats from the offensive manoeuvre with his hands up defending himself.

I think to be the best fighter you can be, it takes hard training, fitness, cardio, honesty, soul, proper breathing techniques, strength, bravery, intelligence and power.