Reprinted Articles

For many athletes, sparring will always be the most exciting element of martial arts. The martial arts are a system of codified practices and traditions, developed and used for training for combat. Martial arts exhibitions and tournaments are often held to judge the participants’ levels of skill in particular contexts.

Martial arts sparring falls under two main categories: full contact sparring and light or medium contact sparring. Both forms are used in both training and competitions, and each form has a clear set of common rules.

Participants in light or medium contact martial arts sparring use a points-based system focusing on light to medium contact on a marked area of the body. These competitors are required to wear foam padding and other types of sparring gear.

There are certain parts of the body that are forbidden for contact and require the protection of martial arts sparring gear. Participants must always protect the face and groin. To offer further protection, certain techniques may be prohibited in light or medium contact martial arts. Competitors who are able so perform the solid landing of the employed techniques are generally awarded match points.

Full contact martial arts’ sparring, on the other hand, is often pursued by those who share interest in a realistic unarmed combat. You may notice a lack of gear in this form of sparring.

For example, in Kyokushin, which is a style of karate, the practitioners fight or engage in martial arts sparring wearing no more than a light martial arts sparring gear item such as a groin guard. What is considered important here is the use of full force in order to disable the opponent, either by knock out or direct concession of defeat.

Full-contact martial arts’ sparring, unlike other forms of fighting, maintains a full variety of permitted attacks and contact zones on the body. Still, some techniques like biting, striking the groin and attacking the eyes are strictly forbidden.

These attacks are prohibited for the reason that such particular areas of the body are unprotected by even proper martial arts sparring gear, and the sport of martial arts sparring was designed to be safe.

Safety comes first, so no matter whether you choose to engage in light or medium contact or full contact sparring, and no matter how experienced you are, it is highly advised that you wear proper martial arts sparring gear. In fact, it’s a rule in the overall guidelines of every martial arts sparring tournament or exhibition. Martial arts sparring gear is especially recommended for use by beginners, because sparring could be deadly when done improperly.

If you are thinking of taking part in any form of martial arts sparring, start off by shopping for top quality sparring gear. An online search will result in lots of companies and Internet suppliers with good quality gear available. The right gear will only help you to achieve the ultimate martial arts sparring experience.