Strategy

[AndrewSimonsen]

What strategies do those of you who point spar use?
What strategies do those of you who olympic spar use?

[Brandon]

I usually charge in like a bulldog and throw a lot of kicks and punches like a tazmanian devil just to psyche them out. Then I almost completly stop my attack and let them make a sheepish kick or two. Normally they won't do many combos thinking that I am going to fire a barrage back at them or charge them. That is when I simply wait until they drop a kick and fire a focused shot in. People tend to drop their guard right at the end of a kick or even let their hands go wild. I love dodging a spin kick and when they come around full circle and are gaining their balance setting back in to stance, jab a quick front kick in to the stomach. I am not sure if that is what you are looking for, but that is a normal game plan for me. :) I am still looking for help myself. ;)

[poktan1125]

First thing is, I look to see what my opponents strengths are, and then I alter my fight accordingly. For instance, some people charge straight in, attack attack attack. Others are more defensive minded. If someone is a good kicker but weak with their hands, I prefer to force them to fight in the punching zone. If someone is a good boxer I use my length to keep them in the kicking zone. If someone likes to charge me, I "chop them down" with leg kicks, or jam them in close, then let fly with a jump back spinning kick from close range. Another good technique for someone charging in is to throw the jumping backwards and throw the jump turning roundhouse kick.

Timing is everything in fighting. One thing I like to do is wait for my opponent to throw a kick, and then just as the kicking foot is coming down, throw my cut kick at their leg. Don't limit yourself to one technique though. Try back leg cut kick front leg high roundhouse, followed by a couple of hand techniques-uppercut, hook, overhand cross, etc.

Footwork is also key. Don't limit yourself to being a front and back fighter. Move side to side ... 90-degree avoiding step, shuffling legs, side-step exchange, etc.

Confuse your opponent. If you nail him with two or three good leg kicks, you take away his ability to kick well and to move. You also make him anticipate the low kick, which will open him up for a good high kick or punch. Another way to confuse the opponent is to fire a good face height jab. If he does not evade or parry, you nail him. If he does parry, fire the front leg side kick at his ribs.

If you are taller, make space for your kicking techniques. When your opponent raises his leg for a kick, or moves in on you, use the pushing kick against his thigh, or his upper body. Then quickly follow up with your combinations.

Finally, never throw just one technique and then stop and wait for the counterattack. You have a good spinning kick? Disguise it. Try pendulum stepping, faking a side kick a couple of times. Then BLAM! Let fly with the spinning hook kick or whatever you have. Try spinning step roundhouse combinations.

Remember, the key to mastery is repitition. Practice throwing combinations for different situations, then they will come automatically when you are sparring.

Good luck and train!

[Eliz]

I don't really have a strategy per say.

I like to throw out a high crescent aimed at my opponents head (followed by a series of misc kicks not intended to score) just to see what he/she will do.

Blink? Back-up? Rock-back? Charge in? Assess me as assessing them? Than I decide how to proceed.

In general, my hands are 100 times better than my kicks. I also like loud kiai's. Helps to get the officials attention. Plus a lot of people just don't like someone screaming in their face. Sometimes an opponent will blink just because of the kiai. POW!!!

Prior to training in TKD, I trained as a full contact fighter. Much of this has come with me from those years. Definately the hands have stayed with me.

[Akuma]

^^^All good strategies...here's a question then: What do you do when fighting an opponent who is larger and stronger, and who's primary technique is to smother your techniques with bulk? Not necessarily talking about competition, but more so the dojang sparrer who doesnt realize that your double round would have just scored two points...instead rushes in on your technique to throw some punches (nonscoring) at you while you recover your balance...you know the type. Other than trying to power through this guy (where he probably gets hurt), whats a better strategy for handling this type of fighter?

[hizaguchi]

^ Front leg side kick as he comes in, or back kick if he's already there. You don't have to crack him hard with it, just make it a firm push. If you can't move him with the back kick, use a little hop as you throw it so when you kick you'll be pushing yourself away too.

[Eliz]

Len,
Good question. Again, I don't have a "sure bet" answer. Front leg sliding side kicks are a favorite followed by a ridge hand to the head. Rolling out and setting up a back kick or a punch is another favorite.

Usually opponents that charge you like a freight train are completely belly up and exposed. Belly-up is what I call my students who don't use fighting stances. :up:

Good foot work really helps. Taking your time to set up good combinations also helps. Don't just jump into the mix - work your opponant around a little. Lastly, I hate to admit it, but I've also employed a good old fashioned push on occasion. It's rare that I do that, but I have and it works.

[sideslasher9]

What strategies do those of you who point spar use?
What strategies do those of you who olympic spar use?
Train hard and dont go into the ring with any set strategythen let ur training take over any set plan could go bad if ur opponent doesnt repond like u thought he would

[AndrewSimonsen]

Train hard and dont go into the ring with any set strategythen let ur training take over any set plan could go bad if ur opponent doesnt repond like u thought he would
No net speak. I actually wan't asking advice, I was just interested in the differences in strategy that different rule sets incur, but I was afraid of starting another flame war.
As for the bulls, I usually use a spinning back kick.

[hizaguchi]

Olympic: Strong, simple kicks early on. Pick my shots and hit hard. Then I get more aggressive and try to keep the pressure on so they don't get to rest and recover. This is usually where I do my scoring. I'm slow and don't have alot of endurance, so I have to take their wind and confidence before I can go after points. Otherwise they throw those fast spin and round kicks that I'm not good at dealing with.

Point: I lose because I'm not fast enough. I try to do some bouncing and fakes though, and sometimes I even get by with scoring by making them miss me and then going in. Mostly I just lose. :)

[sideslasher9]

i wasnt giving advice thats my strategy(we r on the net) :up:

[Eliz]

(we r on the net) :up:

Funny David.

The explanation. A lot of members speak english only as a secondary language - we try not to turn their world too upside down with net speak.

I know you were just kidding, but that is the explanation and I'm sure you can respect that.

[hizaguchi]

^ I speak english as my only language, and it still confuses me.