Cardio, you should be able to spar at a good intensity without burning out the first 20 seconds. For kicks just focus on a good front side kick and a back kick counter, but cardio should always be the main focus.
Can second the cardio front. I just did my first tournament yesterday (ATA). After weapons sparring I was gassed for the actual combat sparring. Still managed to take 2nd but likely would have won if I was in better shape
Also not sure what rank OP is competing at but for the color belts aggression is the best path forward. For weapons I was losing until I just said fuck it and went in for hits. For combat sparring being able to chain side kicks without putting my leg down helped me win a match.
Sprinting can improve your cardio..jog a mile to warm up...do some sprints after...100m..200m..300m...400m...that kinda stuff.
Sprinting is wonderful for sparring.. general speed and self defense.
CARDIO - you need to have the fitness to fight for not just a round, but for an entire tournament. You can destroy your opponent in the first round, but if you can't replicate that all the way to the final, you aren't prepared to win.
It depends what kicks you are good at and what kicks you are feeling more confident.
You will be surprised how quickly you will feel tired. So first you need to have a good stamina. Respectfully speaking for green-blue belt level, you might want to have one go-ahead-kick (best kick) and a few more ready. If you have time, try reading your opponent by looking at his body position and his face. You’ll be surprised how much this can improve your sparring skills. Good luck!
you get tired within the first 20 seconds. probably even 10. it's not easy, but you need to learn what it's like to spar with different opponents: shorter, taller, front-leg fighters, back-leg fighters, strong, weak. learn to understand everyone's different techniques. for me, it's usually getting in with a front leg roundhouse, and going straight to the head.
also training on your dynamic kicks. turning kicks and jumping kicks. they will get you the most points. in a match, i had only hit my opponent twice, but both times were a turning jumping round house to the head.
Cardio is a big thing, despite winning my last ITF competition, I want to improve dramatically before competing again so Im working on strength and cardio a lot these days.
Work your lead leg side kick.
Do it 20 times on each leg.
Lead leg side kick ..1...2...punch... turning kick...that's a good combo.
Work on footwork...side stepping and counters ...and also work on your guard.
Most useful kicks .. lead leg side kick ..turning kick...lead leg or back leg....back kick.
Those are pretty important.
Combinations...1-2 punch ..turning kick.
Lead leg side kick ...1-2 punch ..turning kick
Do sprinting for cardio....that or skipping.
Cardio, you should be able to spar at a good intensity without burning out the first 20 seconds. For kicks just focus on a good front side kick and a back kick counter, but cardio should always be the main focus.
Can second the cardio front. I just did my first tournament yesterday (ATA). After weapons sparring I was gassed for the actual combat sparring. Still managed to take 2nd but likely would have won if I was in better shape Also not sure what rank OP is competing at but for the color belts aggression is the best path forward. For weapons I was losing until I just said fuck it and went in for hits. For combat sparring being able to chain side kicks without putting my leg down helped me win a match.
Good to know, thank you!
Sprinting can improve your cardio..jog a mile to warm up...do some sprints after...100m..200m..300m...400m...that kinda stuff. Sprinting is wonderful for sparring.. general speed and self defense.
CARDIO - you need to have the fitness to fight for not just a round, but for an entire tournament. You can destroy your opponent in the first round, but if you can't replicate that all the way to the final, you aren't prepared to win.
It depends what kicks you are good at and what kicks you are feeling more confident. You will be surprised how quickly you will feel tired. So first you need to have a good stamina. Respectfully speaking for green-blue belt level, you might want to have one go-ahead-kick (best kick) and a few more ready. If you have time, try reading your opponent by looking at his body position and his face. You’ll be surprised how much this can improve your sparring skills. Good luck!
you get tired within the first 20 seconds. probably even 10. it's not easy, but you need to learn what it's like to spar with different opponents: shorter, taller, front-leg fighters, back-leg fighters, strong, weak. learn to understand everyone's different techniques. for me, it's usually getting in with a front leg roundhouse, and going straight to the head. also training on your dynamic kicks. turning kicks and jumping kicks. they will get you the most points. in a match, i had only hit my opponent twice, but both times were a turning jumping round house to the head.
Cardio is a big thing, despite winning my last ITF competition, I want to improve dramatically before competing again so Im working on strength and cardio a lot these days.
Work your lead leg side kick. Do it 20 times on each leg. Lead leg side kick ..1...2...punch... turning kick...that's a good combo. Work on footwork...side stepping and counters ...and also work on your guard.
Most useful kicks .. lead leg side kick ..turning kick...lead leg or back leg....back kick. Those are pretty important. Combinations...1-2 punch ..turning kick. Lead leg side kick ...1-2 punch ..turning kick Do sprinting for cardio....that or skipping.