When you compete in sparring at a tournament a lot of newbies don’t think about the clock. Sparring matches at a tournament are only 2:00 (that’s 2 minutes). So what does this mean for you? You have to remember Point Sparring is not the real deal fighting match you would encounter while you are out-and-about. Point Sparring is a game to see who can score the most points in 2 minutes or less. Here are some tips when dealing with time in a Point Sparring match and how to use it to your advantage.
1. Efficiency
You only have 2 minutes to either win by a 5 point margin or score the most points. How do you do this the fastest? Head kicks. Kicks to head are worth 2 points compared to a kick to the body or any hand strike (1 point). The fastest way to get your five point margin or the most points is to mix in a couple head kicks with your other moves.
2. Signifier
Use the time you have left as a signifier. While you are sparring you can sort of gauge how much time is left in the match, or better yet, if you have a friend or family member timing it you will know exactly how much time is left. If you are down in points with time running out you know you will have to step it up and maybe use some riskier moves. If you are down by a lot you know you will have to start landing points fast or with a bunch of head kicks.
On the other hand, if you are up in points with time running out you want to slow the match down. You want to keep your adversary at a distance and hesitant to come in. Don’t move in straight lines, move around in a circle making you harder to catch.
3. Time Tactics
Some people swear by what I call “Time Tactics.” You will always come across a fighter who will do the exact same thing every time. As soon as your judge says “Go” they have jumped across the line as fast as they can to try and surprise you from the get-go. A lot of people will do this every time in a “sudden death”, “tie breaker”, or “next point wins” scenario. If you have a “Time Tactic” like this I would suggest dropping it. One reason is, if you win the first round, the person you fight in the second round knows exactly what you are doing and you will get destroyed it they have enough skill to stop you. This is especially true once you reach black belt level.
Bonus: Patience
Two minutes does not seem like a long time but it really can be. Don’t be in such a rush where you leave yourself open and make stupid mistakes. Be patient and keep your hands up. Good Luck.
