One-step sparring is an important historical element to the practice of tae kwon do. These moves aren't meant to be used in actual sparring, anymore than the techniques used in performing forms are meant to be. The student learns them in part as homage to the history of our martial art and in respect of the student for the teacher. It also helps the student understand distance and develop good timing and allows the student to practice correct technique.
I wrote the poem below to help me remember all thirteen of the one-step sparring moves. It's pretty awful poetry, but it achieves the goal. The student is responsible for knowing them before qualifying for the award of black belt.
The poem has links to the one-step sparring moves referred to in the verse. Listings can be found at the links below:
One-step Sparring
© 2012 Lisa Jean Bair, All Rights Reserved
2 November 2012
Learn well these words since failure is barring
Nine left, one center, and three to the right.
I'll say these words true, then practice the night.
Three choices you have with horse stances, knife-block.
Prepare left to the ear, right in good spot.
Your blocking hand firm, punch, chop, or groin strike.
We have to think hard to win this tough fight.
A punch to the middle; make that man stop!
Or pull that arm down, his neck gets a chop.
Next to the center, this one's not so hard,
But you must practice now and hold up your guard.
A backward first step begins this new dance.
The left foot moves in a sideways horse stance.
Drop arm, grab fist, the slide, drive, and pop!
There's nine more to go. There's no time to stop.
Three much like before with punches and kicks.
Punch-punch, a reprise, remember the mix:
Prepare left, punch nose, and up to the center.
If this doesn't work, there's always another.
The kicks, prepare right, your hand to left ear.
We've got to be clean, use our bodies, you hear?
Block, punch, and grab: side kick or two round.
Good distance and timing make this move sound.
The rest use balance, foot placement, and twist:
The stomach and back, the targets consist.
You keep the arm close, your armpit its lock;
Swing your elbow around back like a clock.
The next two steps will barely affect us.
These steps, their target, the solar plexus.
The same they begin: left block, watch your step,
Drive the right elbow, tread the instep.
Next, grab the right fist: up to the sky, down!
Back to the stomach, he'll fall with a sound.
Or, left fist, twist 'round straight to the back.
Next, we use leverage to fight the attack.
His instep, our friend, lock arm or push down.
Last is knife to defend with renown.
Block, grab, and knife chop; be careful, now mind.
A kick with your left, his ankle we find.
His arm: up, around, off-balance, we make.
This is the last of the steps our masters create.
Step-sparring is fun: time, distance, and pow'r.
Recall this chant, to settle the matter.
updated 21 April 2013
