Why we do One-Steps

We stand facing each other.  Two to three feet apart like 18th century armies ready for battle as the dawn mist rolls over the open field.

Upright, in ready position.  Not moving.  (Not the most realistic self-defense position, by the way).   My opponent steps back into a deep front stance and kihops indicating he's ready.  I take a breath, remember what I'm supposed to do, kihop and wait for his attack.  And I think....this is ridiculous!  Who is going to attack me like this?  What bad guy announces his attack with a front stance and a kihop?

Admit it.  You've thought this about One-Step sparring before.  But over the years, I have learned to love and appreciate the deeper meanings and traditions of what they are supposed to do.  Like most things, the lessons are subtle, buried and rarely spoken.

One-Step sparring (Han Bon Kyorugi) consists of two partners exercising prearranged, attack and counterattack techniques. At ATLU TKD each belt level has three (3) onestep sparring techniques they are responsible for learning. One-Steps become more technically challenging as the belt becomes higher.

So why do we do One-Steps?  In  a nutshell, they are about respect, confidence, and self-control.  When done correctly, they demonstrate the beautiful power, effectiveness, quickness and devastation of Taekwondo.   We bow to one another, even though we are adversaries.  This tradition of showing respect to everyone, even an opponent is an important martial art tradition and is one of the things we must continue on.  They teach us about fighting distance, body control and position. They teach us to be constantly aware of what's going on around us. About our ability to accurately and precisely execute our blocks, kicks and strikes.

One-Step sparring is the first step to Free Sparring and self defense.  For the white belt, it is the first time they make actual physical contact with another student

One-Step sparring requires a high level of concentration and cooperation on the part of both people. The attacker must perform each attack with proper execution and consistent timing.  The attacker has one job.  Step forward and punch.  As lower belts, and when practicing with lower belts, this is a slow, sometimes soft motion.  But as we progress, and become black belts, the attacker's role becomes more violent and realistic.  When black belts are performing one-steps, the attacker has one job.  To step forward and try to hit the defender.  If he doesn't move, too bad.  You get punched in the chest.

For the defender, one-steps teach us to be confident and calm in the face of an attack even when we are in a vulnerable position.  Avoid showing fear when the opponent attacks, do not flinch, do not move.  Then, when the attacker moves, we react.  The defender must react to the attack without hesitation. Techniques should be practiced extensively to a point where they develop a sub-motor pattern that reacts out of instinct, without having to stop and think.

One Steps give us an opportunity to demonstrate the actual application of a technique.  This is a hidden beauty of one-steps.  The balance between application and control.  Violence and gentle protection.  It's one thing to be able to throw a great round house kick during poomse or against a kicking target.  More impressive is to throw a great round house kick at full speed and power, in response to an attack that comes within inches, or centimeters, or millimeters or the attacker's body without injuring them.

How good are your blocks?  Would your high block really stop an attacker's downward strike to your head with a knife?  That knife hand block you think is so pretty--could it really stop a punch if needed?  How will you know?  Have you conditioned your hands, feet, knuckles and forearms enough to withstand a real attack?  One-Steps give us a glimpse into how good our technique really is.

We don't do them very often, but I hope this has given you a little better glimpse into the many benefits of One-Step Sparring.

Until next time, step back, make that low-block, kihop, and let's do some One-Steps!

Keep training hard.