Sparring Types
Here is a list of the various types of sparring that may be available to students during the Saturday General Practice times. Please bear in mind that all students must first have their student waiver signed by themselves (and if a minor, by their parents or guardians) before sparring during General Practice.
Please note that groin protection and a mouthpiece are required for all types of sparring during General Practice. All sparring must be supervised, and all students must follow all safety requirement at all times.
Type |
Rules |
Targets/Techniques |
Gear |
Boxing |
Standard boxing rules |
Punches to above-the-waist targets |
Gloves, headgear optional but recommended |
TKD/Karate Point Sparring |
Standard point sparring rules, light to medium contact |
Kicks and punches. Nothing below the belt, or behind the side seams of the uniform. Kicks to the head legal, punches to the face only legal when agreed upon beforehand |
Headgear, kicks/punches (foot/hand protection) |
Olympic TKD Sparring |
Continuous point sparring, medium to heavy contact |
Kicks and punches. Nothing below the belt, or behind the side seams of the uniform. Kicks to the head legal, punches to the face not legal |
Headgear, kicks/punches, chest protector |
Muay Thai Sparring |
Continuous sparring, medium to heavy contact, standard MT kickboxing rules |
Strikes/Kicks only--elbows, knees, and low kicks legal. No kicks to joints. Punches to face legal, as is striking from the clinch. |
Gloves, kicks, and shinpads, headgear optional but recommended |
Submission Wrestling |
Standard submission wrestling rules |
No striking, small joint locks, pressure points, or hair pulling. Submission by tapout. |
None necessary--no striking. |
Defense Practice Sparring |
Varies based on scenario training |
Varies based on scenario training |
Fingerless gloves/headgear/chest protection optional depending on sparring type |
MMA Sparring |
Strict UFC sparring rules |
Strikes, kicks, submissions all legal. |
Fingerless gloves, headgear optional but recommended for beginners |






