Assumption of Risk

I was recently reading a good article in Blitz Magazine Vol. 21 No. 3 regarding the "assumption of risk" during martial arts training. They overviewed the litiginous differences between Australia and the States, and then highlighted an interesting development - that "injury would be regarded as actionable if it went beyond what was permissable in the sport being played, and was intentionally inflicted."

What was then discussed was whether the injured party did not give consent for the type of contact used in the sporting arena.

In HRGB, Traditional Taekwondo is uses a semi-contact sparring exercise from orange belt and up. The sparring exercise is a vigorous part of the training that helps a student practice techniques, coverage, and movement against an opposing partner. It is not the be all and end all for our martial arts, but participation in this sparring activity allows you to learn good lessons in timing, distancing, and dealing with the stressors of a real live attacker.

Semi-contact sparring starts when the student is at the mid point of his 7th kyu rank. This means that the student has already been practicing about nine months. The beginning student of Traditional Taekwondo utlizes the utmost basic of techniques during sparring. He is able to use a full gamut of blocks and can provide coverage to his entire body. However, he is limited mostly in what he can use to strike with - the forward lunge punch and the reverse snap punch. This allows the beginner to focus on proper technique, distancing and timing to land good controlled strikes on his opponent.

7th kyu beginners go up against any opponent and may face opponents who are not limited in the type of strikes used within the sparring environment. Nor are they limited to the targets they can strike. Within reason, opponents may aim for your groin or even your knees. No eye strikes nor direct throat contact allowed. The main rule of thumb used is 'you can hurt but you can't injure' - stressing the control and respect required of both practitioners as they face off with sparring partners and friends.

When starting to spar, students need to be equipped with cotton 'karate-type' hand mitts, a mouldable mouth guard, groin protector, and foot pads. This equipment provides a modicum of protection for the user. They do not allow students to 'go for it' and strike the opponent with power and conviction. Remember, the purpose of sparring is to test out combinations against an opposing partner. You should learn timing and distancing. Martial arts power is trained on other types of equipment like powerbags or striking posts.

During sparring, we ensure that a referree stands between the two fighters and moderates the bout. Rules of engagement are discussed, targets allowed and disallowed, and techniques not allowed (like strikes to the throat or knee or 'blind' techniques). Blind techniques are those done in a spinning or backwards fashion where you cannot guage where your opponent is - this may result in a force that has no chance of being controlled.

The referree is also in charge of ensuring that opponents stop and recognise 'points' or 'good strikes' by stopping, indicating the point of impact, and bowing to their opponent. This allows the participants to slow down, re-center themselves and to gain composure.

In the Blitz article, the author says that "every martial artist ought to take particular carewhile training and competing so as not to forget that in the spur of the moment, they could go beyond what might be considered a legitimate technique." This is essentially correct - every one is responsible for both himself as well as for the other members training around him - and why it is utterly important to remain composed and alert. It is no good to be powering through strikes without a care for the environment - this kind of rampaging attack has no place in the dojo and is counter to the alertness and awareness that martial artists prize so highly.

From anecdotal information and personal observation, martial arts and Traditional Taekwondo remain the safest of sports, this is including others such as Aussie Rules Football, rugby and especially swimming. All participants however are encouraged to purchase adequate Personal Injury insurance with their involvement in this or any other sporting activity

Traditional Taekwondo Safety Tips
1. Keep nails short and filed smooth.
2. Highlight any existing injuries to instructor and all subsequent training partners.
3. Always make sure your environment is safe for the exercise you are doing.
4. Always keep your composure during training, especially during sparring.
5. Concentrate on the task at hand. If you are distracted, step back from training.
6. During sparring, acknowledge all controlled strikes done by your opponent.
7. ALWAYS control the power of strikes used on training partners.
8. No spectacles allowed - but use suitable eyewear so you can see.
9. Do not wear any form of jewelry or watches.
10. Please inform your instructor if you have any medical condition that might be of concern to you.

Keep it safe!

Martial View Blog: Sparring Injuries
SafeUSA: Sports Injury Prevention