Three Step Sparring

Three Step Sparring (Sambo Matsoki)
Three Step Sparring introduces the beginner to set sparring and aims to teach students the following:

  • proper distance
  • correct facing
  • forearm conditioning
  • correct blocks
  • correct stance and counter attacks
  • timing

The attacker steps forward three times in a walking stance (gunnun sogi) whilst performing a middle section obverse front punch (kaunde baro ap jirugi). The first attack is always in a right walking stance.
The defender starts in a parallel ready stance and then steps back three times performing a set sequence of blocks followed by a set counter attack.

BASIC LEVEL
1. Right leg back walking stance, middle inner forearm block to the inside three time.
Counter attack = Reverse punch.

2. Left leg back, L stance, middle inner forearm block to the outside three times.
Counter attack = Move the left leg forward 45°, move the right leg behind the opponents front leg into a left L stance, execute a right knifehand strike to the back of the neck.

3. Left leg back L stance, middle inward outer forearm block to the inside three times.
Counter attack = Slide forward in a left L stance and execute a right front backfist strike to the opponents nose.

4. Left leg back L stance, middle inner forearm block to the outside three times.
Counter attack = Move the left leg into a sitting stance, focus with left hand, execute a double punch to the opponents kidney area.

INTERMEDIATE LEVEL
5. Right leg back L stance, middle outer forearm block to the inside two times.
Counter attack = Move to the right into sitting stance parallel to opponent. Execute a left outer forearm block and a high section punch to opponent’s jaw.

6. Right leg back L stance, middle knifehand block to the inside two times.
Counter attack = Move to the right, form a sitting stance parallel to opponent, execute left outward knifehand block and a high inward knifehand strike to the side of the opponents neck.

7. Right leg back L stance, middle outer forearm block to the inside two times.
Counter attack = Slide back at a 30° angle into a right L stance with a forearm guarding block, execute a right front kick landing in a right walking stance following with a double punch aimed at the solar plexus.

ADVANCED LEVEL
8. Right leg back ‘L’ stance, middle knife hand block two times.
Counter attack = Move right foot to left foot, pushing off left foot slide back at a 45 degree angle into right L stance with a forearm guarding block. Execute a right side kick landing in left L stance, right front knife hand strike to the neck.

9. Right leg back ‘L’ stance, middle palm pushing block to the outside three times.
Counter attack = Slide back at a 45 degree angle to the outside of opponent into right L stance knife hand guarding block. Execute a right mid section turning kick put the kicking foot behind the opponent’s front foot landing in vertical stance while executing a knife hand strike to the neck.

10. Right leg back ‘L’ stance, knife hand block to the inside two times.
Counter attack = Move right foot to left foot pushing off left foot slide back at a 45 degree angle into a right L stance knife hand guarding block execute a right reverse side kick land in right walking stance reverse knife hand strike to the philtrum. (between upper lip and nose)