Traditional Tang Soo Do Sparring

Tang Soo Do, founded in Korea by Hwang Kee in 1945, is an eclectic blend of several influences according to the Tang Soo Do Ho Sin Sul School of Self Defence. The techniques draw from Okinawan karate, Chinese martial arts and the high kicks typical of other Korean martial arts. In an interview with "Black Belt" magazine, Grandmaster Chun Sik Kim of the Pittsburgh-based International Tang Soo Do Federation asserts that traditional Tang Soo Do sparring is more challenging than free sparring or tournament sparring and teaches self-defense better.

  1. Benefits of Traditional Sparring

    • In the "Black Belt" interview, Master Chun Sik Kim notes that traditional sparring or one-step sparring helps students judge distance, as well as the effectiveness of different defensive and offensive techniques. It also teaches how to use the body to generate power. The power comes from the kinetic energy generated through synchronized movement of the legs, hips and waist. One-step sparring also improves cardiovascular fitness as it involves prolonged use of the body's major muscles.

    Forms Training

    • Tang Soo Do practitioners learn various techniques such as kicks, punches, blocks, take-downs, leg sweeps and stances. These are incorporated into different forms or hyungs -- a series of set moves of varying complexity -- as the student progresses. Balletic and graceful in performance, hyungs improve the student's technique, speed, balance, coordination and breath control. Each emphasizes different attributes. For example, the Kee Choi Hyung Il Bo teaches basic movements, the Lo Hai or crane accentuates poise and grace, and the Sip Soo or bear imparts power. Hyungs give the student an appreciation of Tang Soo Do fighting techniques, making them easier to apply in sparring.

    Basic One-Step Sparring

    • Traditional Tang Soo Do sparring involves two students facing each other in the prescribed ready stance. Upon yelling their readiness -- ki hap -- one student takes a step forward, attacking the other with a punch or kick. The other blocks the attack and counters with a punch or kick. At the beginners level, all the moves -- stances, strikes, blocks and counters -- are predetermined. The students are not permitted to vary the order of their movements. The students also learn the effectiveness of side-stepping in combat. The defender side-steps the attack by moving off the central-line, blocking the strike as an extra precaution, and then launching a counter attack.

    Progression

    • As the students progress, one-step sparring becomes a bit more complicated. The students have more techniques at their disposal, and the moves are no longer predetermined. The attacker can launch any attack at his opponent, who has to adapt quickly, block, side step or evade the strike before launching a counter attack of his choice. Both students are usually at the same grade and have learnt the same techniques, so there are no nasty surprises for either one. All strikes are pulled a few inches short of the intended target.

    Advanced One-Step Sparing

    • The student has to show proficiency in advanced one-step sparring known as pyong ahn, to earn his black belt. Pyong ahn one-step sparing is pretty close to actual combat, but it is strictly non-contact. Both students exchange a series of strikes, blocks and counter attacks until one prevails with what is deemed a finishing strike to an undefended target.