Q&A for How to Win in Competitive Sparring (Taekwondo)

Repeats, repeats and repeats. Correct technique and stretching also help.

Strategy. You play speed or strength while attacking, defending, counter-attacking.

Ice it before any match. I had a strain for 3 months and icing it always helped me.

Yes, as long as it is to the chest area, and it must be a "shuddering blow," i.e., the judges have to really see the impact from your punch.

Just block the hanging leg and side step to perform a kick on his/her open area. (You have to be fast though -- speed is key to avoiding the kick.)

Just go for it. You won't know how good you are without trying. Even if you lose, it is good to see what you can improve on and get ready for another match.

If you're comfortable with it, use a tampon, as it will allow you to keep your normal range of motion when kicking. Don't avoid practicing while on your period. While it may feel counter-intuitive when you just want to curl up into a ball, exercise actually helps make you feel better.

Just do it. Count to 3 in your mind and attack! Be smart about it, either your opponent will get tired or you will have a chance to attack. Be smart.

When you are feeling tired, counterblock and wait for an opening. You should work on your stamina in your spare time.

Roundhouse kicks are definitely the bread and butter of getting points in Taekwondo.

Stationary cut kicks will do the trick. Use lots of cut kicks, whether they are on the spot or offensive. When your opponent counters, dodge quickly and attack when they put their leg down.

Yes, you can keep your hair in a French plait.

You should try to score your points by kicking to the body in this case. A tall opponent will most likely be able to kick your head, so ensure that while getting in range to kick the torso, your head is well-protected.

Know your opponent, plan your strategy, try to breathe, then go for it.

If your opponent is taller than you and has a longer reach, get in closer so he can't execute his kicks properly. If he doesn't connect, he can't score points. However, you must be brave, as there is a slight chance of getting hurt with this tactic.

Work as much on your sparring as possible, as this will get you in fighting rhythm. When you're done sparring, think about what went well and what didn't and keep doing that.

Your best bet is to avoid/block and then counter. Push kicks can have a lot of power, so whether you should block depends on your opponent's power and your blocking strength. Work on your blocking strength or stick to avoiding. If your opponent uses a lot of push kicks, consider clinching, but be careful, as some people use push kicks as a defense against clinching.

First and foremost, remember to breathe. Do not think of it as a fight because your body will tense up to try and stay more sturdy. Rather, think of it as a game, not a battle. Lastly, try to remember that your opponent is only human and that they are probably nervous too. If the worst comes to the worst, you can always go on your phone and look at a few random memes on the Internet, to lighten your spirit!

Technically no, but if you punch someone to hard or enough for the head to go back, that can give you points deducted away. Or, they may call a break, depending on how hard you punched.

Know how high you have to kick. Pick a spot that is the same height. Focus on that point while kicking. Focus on improving the individual movements required to achieve that kick.

It is easy to get nervous around lots of punches and kicks coming in. You will have to become desensitized to the many punches and kicks, so start small with having an opponent throw less punches and kicks than usual. However, if you are a higher rank (such as above purple), it will be expected of you to be able to tolerate the sparring.