This question comes from Sara in Florida, USA.
"I do have a few questions about sparring and forms:
1) When Sparring how can i get my endurance to go up??
2) What are some good counter attacks??
3) What are some attacks that are harder to block??"
Answer to question 1
In a Taekwondo match, you will typically fight for 2 or 3 rounds from 90 seconds to 3 minutes depending on your division. It's important that you train in a manner that allows you to sustain explosive strength and power for the duration of the match. Please see my blog post titled-
Got Speed?
Answer to question 2
Well, it depends on what style of Taekwondo you are training in. By the rest of your email, it seems as though you practice ITF, which is point style fighting. I was most successful as a point style fighter by limiting my counter attacks. In a point style match, the competition comes to a halt the moment a judge believes there was a point scored. This makes counter attacking very difficult.
On the other hand, I would always use a front leg side kick the moment my opponent attacked with a hand technique.
1. Shift weight to back leg.
2. Sidekick with front leg to the ribs.
Also, if an opponent were to attack with kicks, I would use multiple roundhouse kicks to shield myself (I have long legs), and to pick apart various targets such as the ribs or the head.
For our WTF practioners. There are a few counter attacks we should all have- Back kick, Bada Chagi, and Ahp Bal Chagi. These are the 3 most basic counter attacks, and the most important. Of course there are many other counters like spin hook, slide back double kicks, etc. First, develop the basics!
Answer to question 3
Which techniques are harder to block? Again, a question that depends on the style of Taekwondo. In point style fighting, single kicks are the easiest to block. Learn to kick multiple times with the same leg.
1. Fake a roundhouse kick to the ribs. Your opponent will try and swat your kick away from their ribs, exposing their head.
2. Then, you immediately go for the head.
If you are a WTF practioner, you know that the only blocking is really when your opponent's arms are covering the target area on the hogu. The kicks that go straight in are the toughest to block. For example, Cut Kick and Back Kick. Both of these kicks are like battering rams. If your opponent blocks it, they're still going to get pounded pretty hard.
Good luck with your training!
Respectfully,
Duncan Richardson
Chief Master Instructor
