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<div><strong>ALL LEVELS. Controlled contact (60-70%) with an emphasis on technique development , skill and control. </strong></div>
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<div><strong>BEGINNERS: Offensive and defensive drills and counters; one-step sparring. REQUIRED EQUIPMENT: shinguards, knee pads, groin protector required for men/suggested for women, training gloves.</strong></div>
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<div><strong>INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED: Utilize all techniques in a controlled, safe, fun manner. REQUIRED EQUIPMENT: mouthpiece, shinguards, knee pads, groin protector required for men/suggested for women,</strong> <strong>bag gloves.</strong></div>
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<div><em><strong>Sparring Policy:</strong></em></div>
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<p><em><strong>“Technical” Sparring is open to any student who has graded green or higher, or by instructor invitation.</strong></em></p>
<p><em><strong>“Full” -- not to be confused with “Hard” -- Sparring is open to any student who has graded blue or higher,</strong></em><br /><em><strong> or by instructor invitation.</strong></em></p>
<p><em><strong>There is no reason to go above 50-60% power in sparring. It should be relaxed, an environment where technique can be applied and learning can take place.</strong></em></p>
<p><em><strong>Getting injured sparring is counter-productive, whether it be the student who then has to take time off from training or the fighter who then has to cancel a fight.</strong></em></p>
<p><em><strong>Sparring in Thailand is always relaxed and technique oriented.</strong></em></p>
<p><em><strong>Muay Thai World Champion Damion Trainor has written, “...sparring is a time for learning and honing your skills...Sparring at a steady level and letting go of your ego ... mean(s)</strong></em></p>
<p><em><strong>you can practice things that you wouldn’t normally use.” The legendary Rickson Gracie is also a proponent:</strong></em></p>
<p><em><strong>”...when you spar during training ...minimize your natural talents.</strong></em><br /><em><strong> By limiting yourself, you may find yourself in much worse situation, ...forced to think your way out, using techniques</strong></em><br /><em><strong> you would not have otherwise used...You don’t learn</strong></em><br /><em><strong> when you are fighting, bringing in all sorts of tension and emotion. You learn when you are having fun, training in a smooth and gentle way.”</strong></em></p>
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