Georgetown Martial Arts Center / sparring rules

The Georgetown Martial Arts Center does not endorse, condone, practice, or allow contact sparring of any kind on our premises. Consistent with our philosophy of practicing martial arts for both physical and mental well-being, it is our policy to endorse, teach, and promote the practice of non-contact sparring. Non-contact sparring is an art form that requires skill, technique, and quick reflexes and improves timing and reflexes and teaches the student how to read an opponent’s every movement. It is our belief that children and adults will derive the most benefit from exercising self-control and practicing non-contact sparring.

Beginning level students (white through purple belt) learn basic offense-defense techniques including punches, kicks and blocks. Generally, students at this level will practice these skills with a partner in an offense-defense pattern: one person practices offensive techniques only, while the other person practices defensive techniques, then the partners switch roles. Students of all ranks benefit from this method of practice by gradually adding more difficult strikes in longer sequence patterns (three strikes in a row, two kick and two strikes in a row, and so on).

Free sparring is introduced to students at purple belt and above. Students work primarily with partners of equal or similar rank. Students should not spar against other students who are more than two belt levels above them. Free sparring is the practice of both offensive and defensive techniques with a partner to try to penetrate the opponent’s defenses.

After practicing free sparring for several months, students may participate in sparring matches. Matches are held in a ring, must be judged by at least one instructor or assistant instructor, and have the specific goal of scoring points. Matches are won by scoring three points to the designated target area: above the belt and in front of the body. No points may be scored below the belt, to the back, or to the back of the head. Students will not be paired up for matches if they are more than two belt ranks apart.

Specific rules of conduct will be applied to all sparring matches in our dojo:

(1) Sparring partners are responsible for the physical health of their partner at all times

(2) If two students of different belt rank spar against each other, the higher belt rank must spar down to the level of the lower rank

(3) Points are awarded whenever a strike or kick gets past the guard of the opponent with the following guidelines:

At purple belt a point is scored at a distance of 6 to 8 inches away from the opponent, as long as the opponent failed to block the punch or kick
At blue and blue stripe belts, a point is scored at a distance of 4 to 6 inches away from the opponent, as long as the opponent failed to block the punch or kick
At green and green stripe belts, a point is scored at a distance of 2 to 4 inches away from the opponent, as long as the opponent failed to block the punch or kick
At 1st, 2nd, and 3rd degree brown belts, a point is scored at a distance of 1 to 2 inches away from the opponent, as long as the opponent failed to block the punch or kick
At black belt, a point is scored at a distance of not more than 1 inch away from the opponent, as long as the opponent failed to block the punch or kick

(4) Points are not awarded for clashing. Clashing occurs when two opponents move in toward each other, at the same time, and this movement results in simultaneous points or contact.

(5) Points may be deducted for contact. In the event that contact does occur, a verbal warning will be issued. If contact occurs a second time, by the same person, a point will be deducted from that person’s score. If contact occurs a third time, the match will stop and the other person will automatically be awarded the win.

(6) Sparring matches will be officiated by a center-judge (usually the chief instructor) and a corner-judge (usually an assistant instructor). In the event that the center judge and the corner judge disagree on a particular call, the center-judge’s ruling stands, except for the third and deciding point in a match at which time both judges must agree on the point in question

(7) Only a judge can award points to students who are sparring; onlookers are asked to refrain from calling points unless specifically asked to do so by a judge

(8) A judge’s decision is final, and may not be challenged; any student who challenges a judges decision will not be eligible to spar for a period of time to be determined by the chief instructor

Becoming a sparring judge requires several years of sparring experience and at least one year of corner judge experience. Only black belts may become sparring judges. No one below the rank of brown belt may be a corner judge.

Our main emphasis for student of all levels of sparring ability is to show respect and self-control to other students, instructors and judges at all times. Any student who fails to follow the sparring rules will not be eligible to participate in any type of sparring. Alternative training activities will be available at all times to students who are not eligible to spar.

Following the progression of sparring outlined above, students will progress in skill and develop grace as well as technique as they progress through the ranks, and sparring will remain a fun and safe learning experience for all students.

Rules for Safe Sparring

Georgetown Martial Arts Center