Todays TDA Tip: Handicap Sparring Key to Improvement

If you spar (standup) or roll (grappling) on a regular basis, you know that you have weak and strong tactics and  techniques. Everyone does. The key question for you, as your own personal coach: "How do I reinforce my strong points and bring up my weak ones?" One of my favorite methods is something I call "handicap sparring."

Handicap sparring is where you take a weak area, and make it your focus, or take away your strongest to reduce your dependence on it. I'll use an example from my own experience: the side kick. When I sparred almost exclusively sport-style, I had a superior side kick. I wouldn't say world-class, but superior to all but two black belts I ever sparred. Ok, just one. Anyway, my superiority, and the rules of point-style sparring meant that I could lead off with my powerful front-leg side kick, forcing my opponent to cover, jam, or retreat, which left a nice juicy opening because he was back on his heels or his weapons were preoccupied with defense instead of hitting me. Defensively, my side kick was even better. I chambered it nice and high, Superfoot Wallace-style, and countered almost anything my opponent lead with, and then just enjoyed myself. I remember knocking one airborne opponent out of the air by timing alone - I locked out the side kick in his trajectory and he went down like a lead balloon. I felt bad. A little. But enough about me.

The idea is that I actually grew over-dependent on my fabulous side kick, and other areas suffered. I've always had good hands, but they got less and less sharp over time. Same with my guard (standing); I didn't worry too much about keeping my hands up because I had a foot in your gut, or you were getting knocked backward all the time. How did I improve? I gave up the side kick for about four years! I reeducated my jab, lead right (rear-hand), and Thai kick. I re-learned how to control a ring and move laterally.

Other examples:

Are you a good kicker? Hands only for a while.

Good infighter? Try to control the range and only use straight punches or backhands.

Always moving straight back? Start with your back to a wall, or in a corner, and have to work your way out.

Lousy head movement? Drill rounds with only slipping and movement for defense. NO offense out of you.

Got the idea? Here's a short video of Sam and I just working legs to give you an idea.

More examples and information:

MCMAP video: Start on the ground
Handicap sparring: Striker vs Grappler
Almost all of our Training Journals have examples of this. They make excellent reading when you want to get some early shut-eye.

Let's discuss this at the Convocation of Combat Arts thread.