I would teach awarness...no matter what martial art you do, awarness is important.

Attack, attack, and attack.

I myself have found the old cliche "Dont hesitate" to be "the one" principle I like to play. Either CHOOSE to attack or stay away on defensive.

(Deceptive) Footwork.

The one principle that I think differentiates good sparrers from bad ones, is the use of control in sparring. This is control over one's reactions- not flinching cowering or blocking wildly and therefore losing your guard. The cool head always wins over the hot one.

Get off the line. Every attack is from point A (his hand or foot) to point B (your body). If you start to backpedal, I can chase you from here to Kentucky but I will get you. If you step to the side, all kinds of opportunities appear aside from you not getting hit. I trained my studends in this with a big wall and a tennis ball. I don't throw where thI think they are moving, just where they are standing (point A to B). They learned the concept of getting off the line.

Mu-Shen, No Mind, Even if your body is weak or strong, trained or not. If you remove your personal investment in the situation and all the bad habit we learn. You CAN survive anything. Personal Experience and that of my yeachers tells me that it is so.

"teachers" nyeh... typos