“Technical” Sparring is open to any student who has graded green or higher, or by instructor invitation.
“Full” -- not to be confused with “Hard” -- Sparring
is open to any student who has graded blue or
higher,
or by instructor invitation.
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.
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.
Sparring in Thailand is always relaxed and technique oriented.
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)
you can practice things that you wouldn’t normally use.” The legendary Rickson Gracie is also a proponent:
”...when you spar during training ...minimize your
natural talents.
By limiting yourself, you may find yourself in much
worse situation, ...forced to think your way out, using
techniques
you would not have otherwise used...You don’t
learn
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.”