Chung Yong Taekwondo & Hapkido

WTF sparring is one of the most famous and publicly recognised parts of Taekwondo. There are a few variations on the format of these fights however the most commonly practised format is detailed below.

See WTF Sparring at the London 2012 Olympic Games

The Fighters – There are two fighters, red and blue. both fighters wear protective equipment including: shin guards, arm guards, groin guard, body protector, gum shield, thin gloves and a head guard.

The Fight – Each fight consists of three rounds of sparring, lasting two minuets each. points are scored by kicking or punching to the body and kicking to the head. (WTF taekwondo is full contact) You can win a fight by scoring more points or knocking out your opponent. If at the end of the fight the points are even, you take part in a “sudden death” round where the first person to score a point wins the fight. Once you have won your fight you progress on to the next round and get a new opponent. At the end of a contest day, Gold, Silver and two Bronze medals are awarded.

Al local and club level competitions you can expect to take part in two to six fights in a day. A National and international level you can expect to take part in 8 to 20 fights in a day.

The Set Up – Fights take place in an eight by eight meter square with one referee and three judges. Judges score points in real time using electronic triggers and the scores are displayed for everyone, including the fighters, to see. A lot of competitions nowadays use electronic body armours which score points on impact.

Categories – Fighters are divided in to many categories including age, weight and grade. Fighters can be categorised as an A, B or C class fighter. These divisions aid the development of all fighters at all levels and help keep everyone safe.

Wayne Clark fighting for Chung Yong

A Style of Fighting

This proposed style of fighting will require a high level of fitness, Stamina and the enthusiasm to execute it with ruthless efficiency. I am not going to tell you what to do because you need to have the freedom to have fun. However I will advise you on a few basic elements to have in your style that you can build on.

Aim – when you enter the ring I am not worried about you winning or losing the fight only that you enjoy yourself, entertain the people watching and that you make your opponent’s three rounds with you hell. It is ok if they beat you but they are going to have their fitness tested and they must earn their victory if they want it enough – it will not be handed to them easily!!!!! Never give up – no matter what the score.

Opponent – Fear no one, the better the fighter the more you should want to fight them. Work them as hard as you can and take every bit of experience you can from them. Hunt down the best fighters in your category and beat them.

Execution of techniques – Anything you do must be with complete confidence and no hesitation. Believe in your ability 100% and have no fear of clashing legs or what your opponent may do! Be fast and loud!!!!! If you only have one working leg that will do, just batter your opponent with it.

Rhythm on the fight – To test someone’s fitness you must not let them settle into a rhythm. Even constant attack is a rhythm so mix it up! Let them attack you sometimes as well. If you are attacking make sure that you are moving and relaxed. If the only movement you make is your attack you will get picked off.

Warm up – Before your fight you must have worked hard enough to break a sweat and be as sharp as if you had already fought one round. Get excited about the fight and be ready to make your opponent realise this wont be easy for them within the first ten seconds.

Attack –

Fast and with confidence.

Intend on scoring two or three points with every attack, if they get one back it is not a problem.

Vary between the body and head in your kicks.

Kick and kick again… it is common that your first kick wont score so you need to keep the movement going.

Work the diagonals after you have kicked, move into or away from their kicking leg but never stop in the middle.

Defence – KICK!!!!!!!!!!

You must always react to their attack, don’t worry about avoiding there kick just get yours in first!!! The movement of you kicking will start you body moving and will enable you at avoid the attacks. Back kicks and back leg turning kicks a good for this. Make noise when you kick so everybody knows about it!

Exchanges – if you get into an exchange change up the gears and don’t be afraid to climb or spin. Doubles are used a lot now and you can use them as well but you must have a built in defence against them as well. Spin axe is good, back kick or doubles of your own!

Training – we are not purely a fighting club so it is impossible to devote all our time to squad training. Therefore it is up to you to push yourself every lesson and in every activity we do. Concentrate on speed power and confidence. When sparring I recommend you put as much leg padding on as you can as you are going to clash. Work everyone you train with as hard as you can, don’t view anyone as a break.

Extra Training

As well as training in the class I would like you to fit in two 1 hour runs a week (vary the speed of your running to increase your stamina. (Lamp posts or trees are good to use as markers) After your run I would like a 30min stretch.

Food – eat healthy but enjoy your life, this training is meant to make you a happier person. Monitor your weight and make the appropriate adjustment for competition starting two weeks prior. This way it won’t be a shock to the body and you will be strong to fight.

Remember you fight for CHUNG YONG!!!!!!!