DVD 11: Free Sparring - Amateur

Product Description:

The advantages of free sparring are many and complex. On a basic level it teaches our strengths and weaknesses, our reactions to violence and our ability to cope with it. There are many different people who practice martial arts. Some are aggressive and violent. Others are passive. In free sparring realism is emphasized but controlled by the instructor. Shy,passive students are not matched against strong,aggressive students. Competitors should be evenly matched. Very strong fighters are matched with equal or better opponents, while weaker, shy individuals are matched with less confident opponents until their confidence is developed and their fear is overcome. The aim of free sparring is not to create a violent fighter, but to help a student develop skills to the point that they can react spontaneously and automatically to danger or an attack. Additionally, the student gains knowledge of his bodily responses to violence, whether mental or physical.

The American martial artist has developed a style that is a synthesis to many different systems. The United States is a relative new-comer to martial arts training. During the 1960's, tournaments, were conducted using Japanese style guidelines. In the early 1970's there was an influx of Korean instructors into the United States resulting in an increase of Korean style fighters in tournaments. At first, the predominating kicking style of the Koreans was not winning tournaments. However, when the Japanese hand techniques were incorporated into Korean arts, these fighters were very successful. Tournaments were run on a point system where each time a technique was executed successfully, the fight was stopped and scored. There was always controversy over calls since techniques had to be controlled and not all of the judges agreed on a point.

In this video, you will also see a demonstration of Tae Kwon Do as it will be fought in the 1988 Olympics to be held in Seoul, Korea. Similar to US tournament fighting, the competitors wear chest protection and fight continually for three-3 minute rounds with one minute rest in between, and attempt to score as many points as possible. Total points determines the winner.

This tape will help you develop winning techniques and strategies for point fighting, demonstrated by Grandmaster Cho, in slow motion and full speed.