SOAR TRAINING: Sparring Drills and Free Spar

This week we move into sparring drills and free sparring. Good sparring is not a contest to see who can move fastest or hit hardest. It is a controlled conversation about distance, timing, targeting, defense, and recovery.

We will begin with stance and guard, then build footwork and distance before adding a partner. The first objective is to arrive at the correct range without leaning, crossing the feet, or dropping the hands. The second is to finish every attack with recoil, guard, and a balanced exit.

Constrained drills help us isolate one decision at a time. We may limit the available attacks, require a particular exit, or give one partner a defensive role. Those limits are not obstacles; they make the lesson visible and scale the learning objectives to rank ability.

As you train, ask yourself: Did I control the distance before attacking? Did my hands remain and return to guard? Did I recognize the defensive cue? Could I stop immediately? Did my partner finish the round better because we trained together?

Bring your dobok, water, and complete sparring gear if you have it. Come ready to listen, communicate, and work.

School App Update: DojangFlow

DojangFlow is required for students and parents to track attendance, monitor progress, and prepare for required written tests. The Learning Center includes rank-based written-test practice, basic Korean study, and WTSDA tournament-rule familiarization. Future rank written tests will be administered there, and updated Manuals and Study Guides are under Resources. Existing students and parents should use https://dojangflow.base44.app/. If you still need access, ask Mr. Calvert for another invitation email. New students should use https://dojangflow.base44.app/register.

Weekly Conditioning

This week’s take-home plan uses strength, endurance, mobility, footwork, guarded shadow rounds, and equipment-free substitutions to support distance, recoil, defense, and controlled recovery. Use the page for your rank and scale the physical load to your current readiness.

Outside class, use shadow movement, cone footwork, or bag work. Do not recreate partner contact drills without instructor approval, suitable gear, agreed limits, and a prepared partner.

Your Attitude Determines Your Altitude – SOAR!