For many students, the thought of free sparring or fighting another student in a controlled environment under the watchful eye of an instructor can result in apprehension and unnecessary stress. Many martial artists will tell you that after the initial apprehension, they actually enjoy sparring. Free sparring requires a multitude of skills, including control, power, timing and precision. It can take years of practice, but you can develop these skills through certain drills.
Timing
Timing drills are used to help you develop the explosive speed necessary to counter a strike thrown by your sparring partner. These drills often involve having a student hold a target and throwing a predetermined technique at the target on the command of the instructor. The techniques chosen for this drill are often among the most effective defenses. These techniques can include the side kick, the round, or roundhouse, kick and counterpunches.
Power Development
Martial artists should have the power to cause structural damage to an attacker with each technique. One of the best ways to develop this is to concentrate on proper technique when working a heavy bag. These drills help you become accustomed to using full-power techniques on an object that reacts similarly to a human body. These drills often include combinations of kicks and punches and should never be limited to just one technique at a time. Another effective drill for developing explosive power may sound counterintuitive, but throwing kicks in slow motion forces you to think about the necessary technique.
Control
True martial artists not only have the ability to kick down a brick wall, they are equally comfortable kicking an egg at full speed without breaking its fragile shell. This comes from an innate knowledge of where your body is in space, coupled with the ability to control your techniques. Some of the best ways to practice control development is to have your partner hold a target while throwing full-power techniques and stopping it immediately at the point of contact.
Combination
Martial artists should never throw one technique and stop. One drill for developing effective combinations is called one-step sparring. It involves having a partner step forward and throw a punch at you while you counter with a set of prearranged kicks and punches. Your partner should maintain the proper distance necessary to block each technique, thus helping your partner become a better blocker while you practice effective sparring combinations.
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