The difference between Taekwondo demonstration and sparring techniques

Modern Taekwondo has many different Facets

Traditional training—with self defence as the goal.

Sport Poomsae—with clear and fluid motions as the goal.

Sport Sparring—with emphasis on the point system and regulations.

Demonstration—with emphasis on big, sweeping motions while breaking boards, doing flips, or doing patterns to music.

Let’s look at the main differences between Sport Sparring (Kyorugi) and Demonstration training.

Demonstration
The Goal: Amaze an audience
The Training: Focus on jumping high, training clear motions, sweeping spins, flips, and patterns.
What is important: Precise technique, excellent form, big stances, coordination, strength to jump high, a big stage presence, good timing, flexibility, and more!

The Kukkiwon demonstration team is amazing! They have the crisp techniques to implement while breaking boards, flipping, doing techniques blindfolded, and performing synchronized motions and poomsae (patterns) together. The scenarios they portray through their demonstration is compelling and keeps you engaged the whole time.

(In case wooden boards flying all over the place and constant yelling (kihap) doesn’t keep you focused on them!)

This type of Taekwondo training is intense. The team practices every day for hours together to get the quality of the techniques and the stamina to perform over time.

Sport Sparring (Kyorugi)
The Goal: Defeat your opponent/Win the gold medal!
The Training: Focus on stamina/cardio, reaction speed, strength of kicks, speed of techniques, stepping and coordination, flexibility to kick the head.
What is important: Hiding your intent until the last moment, keep performing at 100% for an extended period, counter attacking, faking, moving quickly to press advantages, being aggressive, always moving, and getting into your opponent’s head.

Watching sport sparring in the Olympics is awe inspiring! These athletes move so quickly, that many times you’re not sure what you saw until the instant replay kicks in! Kicks here are fast, and effective. Knock outs are not the name of the game, but they do happen and KO’s secure your victory much sooner.

Sparring training involves so many drills and sets of burpees, jumping jacks, skip rope, pushups, cardio, core, and so much more! Sweat is guaranteed in Sport Sparring. You have to be able to be explosive and reactive for three minutes (with a 30 second break each minute).

When you’re starting Taekwondo, or you are young enough.. your training will be very wholesome. Training at this point will include demonstration style crispness, with sport sparring stamina and quickness.. along with useful self defence techniques.

As you progress however, it will become apparent what your body type or Taekwondo style is edging toward. Athletic types with an aggressive stance and sport mentality will undoubtedly be drawn to sparring. While students who are perfectionists, or enjoy performing will be drawn to demonstration.

That’s not to say that either can’t do the opposite!

However we all know that we are pre-disposed (either physically or psychologically) to one style over another. We can definitely attain mastery of both sparring and demonstration.

However

There will always be one style of training Taekwondo which we excel at with much less effort. One style of training Taekwondo that will be more interesting or engaging; that we will WANT to practice more.

Follow your heart! There is no wrong way to train Taekwondo.

This is why I believe Taekwondo should be trained as a complete martial art. To give practitioners a taste of everything Taekwondo has to offer, and allow people to discover what their Taekwondo passion may be!

Train hard, and see you on the mats!👊🏻