We all know that WTF and ITF have differnet rules for sparring.

I'd like to hear from some WTF people (and any others, what is the most common technique used in your style of sparring (at tornaments)? What are the usuall strategies (retreating, bull dozing)? What build are most of your fighters?

For ITF

The msot common technique is a punch to the face, followed by a shuffling side kick, followed by a turning kick (front leg), followed by jumping punches, followed by a back kick.

Strategies.

I class ITF fighters into two different categories.

Counter-Someone who rarely throws the first punch or kick. Usually this person is very quick and specialises in techniques such as the back kick (best counter for a front leg turning kick) and the reverse turning kick.

Attacker-This person usually is taller and has better punches. They specialise in side kciks and turning kicks.

WTF at olympic or national/international level...

45 degree kick.

Different strategy for different people. Front and back leg kicking in combination. counterfighting also.

punches in close to body (face shot illegal) to wear down. kicks in close also.

like one big game of chess.

The most used techniques are round kick axe kick and back kick

Superfoot Wallace has been known to say that the side kick is a very under used kick, and that it has tremendous power.

I just got back from the Virginia state games hosted by Master Robertson took first in olympic sparring two ranks above my own, green, having used primarily the a right leg sliding side kick, the right leg spinning hook kick, the left leg slap kick (a round house with your front leg), and the axe kick.

having done both though i would say that the biggest differances would be the stance, as a back stance is seen more often in ITF sparring, and the use of combinations in WTF are more common.

Side kick is very useful tool. Can set up other kicks. Can check distance. Can antogonize. Can score. Can defend.

Congrats on your win too.