Sparring
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Next step after getting your yellow belt is the fact that you can now spar with a real opponent being one of your class-mates.A
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Sparring is the practical application of the moves that you learn in a lesson. In sparring two opponents wear a padded helmet, padded gloves, sheen pads and feet padds and a chest guard. All strikes have to be above the belt and sweeping and take downs are not allowed, this is to allow for a more fast pasted spar.
As Tae Kwon Do teaches speed, power and high, spinning and aerial kicks to Tae Kwon Do combatants sparring can be very impressive to watch.
Let me tell you that the sparring is a very physically demanding activity. The rounds are two minutes, and there is usually one or two rounds of sparring right at the end of each lesson. The two minute rounds drain more energy than the entire other 55 minutes.
Most of the times you face an opponent at the same belt level as you, and more or less the same size. However, every now and then you get faced up with a higher belt, and although the seniors are taught and reminded toA use controled strikes… but be prepared to get your butt kicked :-)
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