Three-Step Sparring

A. THREE-STEP SPARRING (Sambo Matsogi)

This is the initial basic sparring exercise among beginners usually from the ninth grade to the sixth grade.

This is an exercise for familiarization of correct attack and defense techniques utilizing mainly the hand parts against middle and high, the foot parts against low targets while stepping forward and backward. There are two methods of practice: one way and two way.

1. One Way (Han Chok)

The attack is executed only while stepping forward, and the
defense while stepping backward.

2. Two Way (Yang Chok)

Both the attack and defense are executed while stepping either
forward or backward.
Both of them can be practised either alone or with companion.

The following principles should be observed to perform a logical attack and defense with correct stance and posture.

1. The exercise should be conducted against an attacker whose height is the same as the defender.

2. If the height is not the same, the stance must be adjusted, e.g. the taller takes an L-stance while the shorter, a walking stance.

3. Exercise must be conducted alone if the height differs considerably.

• Three-step sparring in this volume shows only middle attack and

defense except for low kick and rising block to avoid unnecessary repetition.

A student should familiarise himself equally with high attack and defense.

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Direction Diagram (Bang Hyang Pyo)

<diagram image here>

The exercise is conducted under the assumption that the players (X and Y) stand on line AB facing each other.

X and Y are required to stance at an appropriate distance apart because it is necessary for both practitioners to take full, natural steps to correctly perform the attack and block.

Walking Stance Middle Punch and Block

The attacker's foot should overlap with the front half or quarter of the outer or inner part of the defender’s foot in most cases.

Front punch

The fist forms a vertical line with the toes at the moment of impact.

Forearm side block

As in the case of front punch the fist forms a vertical line with the toes at the moment of block.

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The point of focus is correctly attacked when the attacker's foot overlaps the front half of the opponent's foot.

The punch is far from the point of focus which is about one centimetre inside the target due to the fact that the attackers foot does not overlap the defenders foot.

Forearms are not intercepted due to the same reason mentioned above.

INCORRECT The attackers body is leaning forward.

INCORRECT The defenders body is leaning forward.

Correct block is performed with the same reason mentioned above.

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Knife-hand side block

The block is made at the correct portion when the attackers foot is overlapped the front quarter of the defenders foot.

Walking Stance High Punch and Block.

The attackers foot should be aligned or overlapped with the front half of the defenders foot with rare exceptions.

Front punch

Forearm side block

Knife-hand side block

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Knife-hand

Correct portion is Mocked when the attackers foot is overlapped with the front half of the defenders foot.

Forearm

Forearms are properly intercepted when the attackers foot is aligned with the defenders foot.

Reverse punch

Forearm

L-Stance Middle Punch and Block

Correct block is made when the attackers foot is overlaps the front half of the defenders foot.

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Relative Foot Positions of Practitioners (X and Y)

In three step sparring the proper position of the foot is considered to be the primary importance for the student to familiarize himself with the correct stance as well as accurate attack and defense.

As shown below the position of attackers foot varies according to the stance to be used.

A. With walking stance

The attacker should place the foot on the outside of the defenders foot for the first and third steps, and inside for the second step.

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INCORRECT The attackers stances become too wide except the first step as all steps are on the outside of the defenders foot.

INCORRECT The attackers stances become too narrow as all steps are on the inside of the defenders foot.

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B. With L-stance.

The attackers foot should be placed on the inside of the defenders foot for the first and third steps and outside for the second step.

INCORRECT

Attackers stances are awkward except the first step as the second step is on the inside of the defenders foot.

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INCORRECT

Attackers stances become too wide because all steps are on the outside of the defenders foot.

C. With L-stance and walking stance

L-stance should always be on the inside of the defenders foot, and walking stance on the outside.

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Typical Procedure of Three-Step Sparring

A. Without Companion

One way

X as an attacker

1. At the command of “three step sparring ready (sambo matsoki junbi)”: Move the right foot to A from an attention stance to form a left walking stance toward B while executing a low block to B with the left forearm, shouting "Ya" as a ready signal.

2. At the command of “commence (si jak)": i. Move the right foot to B to form a right walking stance toward B while punching to B with the right fist.

ii. Move the left foot to B to form a left walking stance toward B while punching to B with the left fist.

iii. Repeat i above

3. At the command of "stop (gumahn)”:

Bring the right foot, forming a parallel ready stance toward B.

As an attacker

As a defender

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X as a Defender

1. At the command of “three step sparring ready":

Shout “Ya" as a ready signal while maintaining a parallel ready stance toward B.

2. At the command of “commence":

i. Move the right foot to A to form a left walking stance toward B while executing a low block to B with the left forearm.

ii. Move the left foot to A forming a right walking stance toward B wile executing a low block to B with the right forearm.

iii. Move the right foot to A, forming a left walking stance toward B while executing a low block to B with the left forearm, and then punch to B with the right fist maintaining the same stance toward B.

3. At the command of "stop": Bring the right foot back to a parallel ready stance toward B.

Previous Posture

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Two Way

X as an attacker

1. At the command of “three step sparring ready":

Move the right foot to A from an attention stance, forming a left walking stance toward B while executing a low block to B with the left forearm shouting “Ya” as a ready signal.

2. At the command of “commence”: i. Move the right foot to B, forming a right walking stance toward B while punching to B with the right fist.

ii. Move the left foot to B to form a left walking stance toward B while punching to B with the left fist.

iii. Repeat i above.

3. At the command of “continue (kesok)":

i. Move the right foot to A, forming a left walking stance toward B while punching to B with the left fist.

ii. Move the left foot to A, forming a right walking stance toward B while punching to B with the right fist.

iii. Repeat i above.

4. At the comand of “stop":

Bring the right foot, forming a parallel ready stance toward B

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X as a Defender

1. At the command of “three step sparring ready":

Move the left foot to C from an attention stance toward B to form a parallel ready stance shouting "Ya" as a ready signal.

2. At the command of "commence":

i. Move the right foot to A, forming a left walking stance toward B while executing a side block to B with the left forearm.

ii. Move the left foot to A to form a right walking stance toward B while executing a side block to B with the right forearm.

iii. Move the right foot to A to form a left walking stance toward B while executing a side block to B with the left forearm, and then punch to B with the right fist while maintaining the same stance toward B.

3. At the command of “continue”:

i. Move the right foot to B, forming a right walking stance toward B while executing a side block to B with the right forearm.

ii. Move the left foot to B to form a left walking stance toward B while executing a side block to B with the left forearm.

iii. Move the right foot to B, forming a right walking stance toward B while executing side block to B with the right forearm, and then punch to B with the left fist while maintaining the same stance toward B.

4. At the command of "stop": Bring the right foot to form a parallel ready stance toward B.

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B. With Companion of the Same Height

i. X and Y take an attention stance respectively facing each other, and then exchange bows.

ii. X and Y stand at a distance of full length of stance to be used. The attackers foot should overlap with the front half of the outer part of the defenders foot.

iii. The attackers foot is brought back to an attention stance after measuring the distance to be used.

X: Measuring for correct distance

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1. At the command of “three step sparring ready":

X: Move the right foot to A, forming a left walking stance toward B while executing a low block to B with the left forearm.

Y: Take a parallel ready stance toward A, moving the left foot to D.

Both X and Y will shout “Ya” as a ready signal.

2. At the command of “commence”:

i. X: move the right foot to B to form a right walking stance toward B while punching to B with the right fist. Y: Move the right foot to B, forming a left walking stance toward A while executing a side block to A with the left inner forearm.

ii. X: Move the left foot to B, forming a left walking stance toward B while punching to B with the left fist. Y: Move the left foot to B, forming a right walking stance toward A while executing a side block to A with the right inner forearm.

iii. X: Move the right foot to B, forming a right walking stance toward B while punching to B with the right fist. Y: Move the right foot to B, forming a left walking stance toward A while executing a side block to A with the left inner forearm, and then execute a middle punch to A with the right fist, maintaining the same stance toward A.

3. At the command of “stop": Both X and Y bring the right foot respectively forming a parallel ready stance.

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X and Y now switch roles

1. At the command of “three step sparring ready": Y: Move the right foot to B from a parallel ready stance, forming a left walking stance toward A while executing a low block to A with the left forearm shouting "Ya" as a ready signal.

X: Shout "'Ya" as a ready signal, maintaining a parallel ready stance toward B.

2. At the command of “commence”:

i. Y: Move the right foot to A to form a right walking stance toward A while punching to A with the right fist. X: Move the right foot to A, forming a left walking stance toward B while executing a side block to B with the left inner forearm.

ii. Y: Move the left foot to A, forming a left walking stance toward A while punching to A with the left fist. X: Move the left foot to A to form a right walking stance toward B at the same time executing a side block to B with the right inner forearm.

iii. Y: Move the right foot to A, forming a right walking stance toward A while punching to A with the right fist. X: Move the right foot to A, forming a left walking stance toward B while executing a side block to B with the left inner foreram, and then execute a middle punch to B with the right fist, maintaining the same stance toward B.

3. At the command of "stop":

Both Y and X bring the right foot respectively back to a parallel ready stance.

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Two Way

1. At the command of "three step sparring ready":

X: Move the right foot to A, after measuring the distance, from an attention stance to form a left walking stance toward B while executing a low block to B with the left forearm.

Y: Move the left foot to D from an attention stance, forming a parallel ready stance toward A. Both X and Y will shout "Ya" as a ready signal.

2. At the command of “commence":

i. X: Move the right foot to B, forming a right walking stance toward B while punching to B with the right fist.

Y: Move the right foot to B, forming a left walking stance toward A while executing a side block to A with the left inner forearm.

ii. X: Move the left foot to B to forma left walking stance toward B while punching to B with the left fist.

Y: Move the left foot to B, forming a right walking stance toward A while executing a side block to A with the right inner forearm.

iii. Y: Move the right foot to B to form a left walking stance toward A while executing a side block to A with the left inner forearm, and then execute a middle punch to A with the right fist while maintaining the same stance toward A.

3. At the command of "continue":

i. X: Move the right foot to A, forming a left walking stance toward B while punching to B with the left fist.

Y: Move the right foot to A to form a right walking stance toward A while executing a side block to A with the right inner forearm.

ii. X: Move the left foot to A to form a right walking stance toward B while punching to B with the right fist.

Y: Move the left foot to A, forming a left walking stance toward A while executing a side Block to A with the left inner forearm.

iii. X: Move the right foot to A to form a left walking stance toward B while punching to B with the left fist.

Y: Move the right foot to A, forming a right walking stance toward A while executing a side block to A with the right inner forearm, and then execute a middle punch to A with the left fist while maintaining the same stance toward A.

4. At the command of "stop":

Both X and Y bring the right foot respectively to form a parallel ready stance.

X and Y now switch roles

1. At the command of “three step sparring ready":

Y: Move the right foot to B from a parallel ready stance to form a left walking stance toward A while executing a low block with the left forearm, shouting "Ya" as a ready signal.

X: Shout "Ya" as a ready signal while maintaining a parallel ready stance toward B.

2. At the command of "commence":

i. Y: Move the right foot to A, forming a right walking stance toward A while punching to A with the right fist.

X: Move the right foot to A to form a left walking stance toward B at the same time executing a side block to B with the left inner forearm.

ii. Y: Move the left foot to A, forming a left walking stance toward A at the same time punching to A with the left fist.

X: Move the left foot to A, forming a right walking stance toward B while executing a side block with the right inner forearm.

iii. Y: Move the right foot to A to form a right walking stance toward A while punching to A with the right fist.

X: Move the right foot to A, forming a left walking stance toward B wile executing a side block to B with the left inner forearm, and then execute a middle punch to B with the right fist while maintaining a left walking stance toward B.

3. At the command of “continue": i. Y: Move the right foot to B to form a left walking stance toward A while punching to A with the left fist.

X: Move the right foot to B to form a right walking stance toward B while executing a side block to B with the right inner forearm.

ii. Y: Move the left foot to B, forming a right walking stance toward A at the same time punching to A with the right fist.

X: Move the left foot to B, to form a left walking stance toward B while executing a side block to B with the left inner forearm.

iii. Y: Move the right foot to B, forming a left walking stance toward A while punching to A with the left fist.

X: Move the right foot to B, forming a right walking stance toward B while executing a side block to B with the right inner forearm, and then execute a middle punch to B with the left fist while maintaining the same stance toward B.

4. At the command of "stop":

Both Y and X bring the right foot respectively to form a parallel ready stance.

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B. With Companion of a Different Height

X: Measuring for correct distance

One way

1. At the command of “three step sparring ready":

X: Move the right foot to A to form a left walking stance toward B while executing a low block to B with the left forearm, shouting "Ya" as a ready signal.

Y: Move the left foot to D to form a parallel ready stance toward A, shouting “Ya” as a ready signal.

2. At the command of "commence":

i. X: Move the right foot to B, forming a right walking stance toward B while punching to B with the right fist.

Y: Move the right foot to B to form a right L-stance toward A while blocking to A with the left inner forearm.

ii. X: Move the left foot to B to form a left walking stance toward B while punching to B with the left fist.

Y: Move the left foot to B, forming a left L-stance toward A while blocking to A with the right inner forearm.

iii. X: Move the right foot to B, forming a right walking stance toward B while punching to B with the right fist.

Y: Move the right foot to B, forming a right L-stance toward A while blocking to A with the left inner forearm, and then execute a middle punch to A with the right fist, maintaining the same stance toward A.

3. At the command of "stop":

Both X and Y bring the right foot respectively, forming a parallel ready stance.

X and Y now switch roles

i. The attackers foot should overlap the front quarter of the defenders foot. ii. The attackers foot is brought back to a parallel ready stance after measuring the distance.

1. At the command of “three step sparring ready":

Y: Move the right foot to B, forming a left walking stance toward A while executing a low block to A with the left forearm, shouting “Ya” as a ready signal.

X: Shout “Ya" as a ready signal, maintaining a parallel ready stance toward B.

2. At the command of "commence”:

Y: Move the right foot to A to form a left L-stance toward A while punching to A with the right fist.

X: Move the right foot to A, forming left walking stance toward B while executing a side block to B with the left inner forearm.

ii. Y: Move the left foot to A, forming a right L-stance toward A while punching to A with the left fist.

X: Move the left foot to A to form a right walking stance toward B while executing a side block to B with the right inner forearm.

iii. Y: Move the right foot to A, forming a left L-stance toward A while punching to A with the right fist.

X: Move the right foot to A to form a left walking stance toward B while executing a side block to B with the left inner forearm, and then execute a middle punch to B with the right fist while maintaining the same stance toward B.

3. At the command of “stop":

Both Y and X bring the right foot respectively back to a parallel ready stance.

Y: Measuring for correct distance

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Two way

Y: measuring for correct distance.

1. At the command of "three step sparring ready":

Y: Move the right foot to A to form a left walking stance toward B while executing a low block to B with the left forearm, shouting "Ya" as a ready signal.

X: Move the left foot to D to form a parallel ready stance toward A, shouting “Ya” as a ready signal.

2. At the command of "commence":

i. Y: Move the right foot to B, forming a left L-stance toward B at the same time punching to B with the right fist.

X: Move the right foot to B to form a left walking stance toward A while executing a side block to A with the left inner forearm.

ii. Y: Move the left foot to B, forming a right L-stance toward B while punching to B with the left fist.

X: Move the left foot to B, forming a right walking stance toward A while executing a side block to A with the right inner forearm.

iii. Y: Move the right foot to B, forming a left L-stance toward B while punching to B with the right fist.

X: Move the right foot to B, forming a left walking stance toward A while executing a side block to A with the left inner forearm, and then execute a middle punch to A with the right fist while maintaining the same stance toward A.

3. At the command of “continue”:

i. Y: Move the right foot to A, forming a right L-stance toward B while punching to B with the left fist.

X: Move the right foot to A, forming a right walking stance toward A while executing a side block to A with the right inner forearm.

ii. Y: Move the left foot to A to form a left L-stance toward B while punching to B with the right fist.

X: Move the left foot to A, forming a left walking stance toward A while executing a side block to A with the left inner forearm.

iii. Y: Move the right foot to A to form a right L-stance toward B while punching to B with the left fist.

X: Move the right foot to A, forming a right walking stance toward A at the same time executing a side block to A with the right inner forearm, and then execute a middle punch to A with the left fist while maintaining a right walking stance toward A.

4. At the command of "stop":

Both Y and X bring the right foot respectively to form a parallel ready stance.

Y and X now switch roles

i. The attackers foot should overlap the front half of the defenders foot.

ii. The attackers foot is brought back to a parallel ready stance after measuring the distance.

1. At the command of “three step sparring ready":

X: Move the right foot to B to form a left walking stance toward A while executing a low block to A with the left forearm, shouting “Ya” as a ready signal.

Y: Shout "Ya" as a ready signal, maintaining a parallel ready stance toward B:

X: Measuring for correct distance

2. At the command of "commence":

i. X: Move the right foot to A, forming a right walking stance toward A while punching to A with the right fist.

Y: Move the right foot to A, forming a right L-stance toward B while blocking to B with the left inner forearm.

ii. X: Move the left foot to A to form a left walking stance toward A while punching to A with the left fist.

Y: Move the left foot to A, forming a left L-stance toward B while blocking to B with the right inner forearm.

iii. X: Move the right foot to A, forming a right walking stance toward A while punching to A with the left fist.

Y: Move the right foot to A to form a right L-stance toward B while blocking to B with the left inner forearm, and then execute a middle punch to B with the right fist, maintaining a right L-stance toward B.

3. At the command of "continue":

i. X: Move the right foot to B to form a left walking stance toward A while punching to A with the left fist.

Y: Move the right foot to B, forming a left L-stance toward B while blocking to B with the right inner forearm.

ii. X: Move the left foot to B, forming a right walking stance toward A while punching to A with the right fist.

Y: Move the left foot to B to form a right T-stance toward B at the same time blocking to B with the left inner forearm.

iii. X: Move the right foot to B, forming left walking stance toward A while punching to A with the left fist.

Y: Move the right foot to B to form a left L-stance toward B at the same time blocking to B with the right inner forearm, and then execute a middle punch to B with the left fist while maintaining the same stance toward B.

4. At the command of “stop”:

Both X and Y bring the right foot respectively, forming a parallel ready stance.

See also:
 Observations from the Author on three-step sparring
 Suggested combinations for three-step sparring