3 Step Sparring – Sambo Matsoki

Master Lamberth's First Idiots Guide

Thanks for this monster of a question asking me to ‘word up’ 3 Step Sparring, this took a while but I think I have pretty much nailed it. If you are an expert and have any additions please let me know. I have tried my best to explain it as simply as possible. 

Thanks for your question Austin.

 3 Step Sparring (Sambo Matsoki) - 8th Kup and above

There are 10 of these sequences to learn. The attacker starts by taking their right leg back into a walking stance and doing a low section outer forearm block. The attacker then steps forward and raises the right arm checking that the distance between themselves and the partner is close enough to perform a realistic punch. If the distance is correct return to the walking stance low section block and shout ‘Kihap’ to your partner. This tells them you are ready to attack. Upon hearing your partner ‘Kihap’ back at you then you can continue with stepping forward and completing 3 punches aimed at the centre of your opponent’s chest. These attacking 3 punches never change. REMEMBER to block and strike NOT PUSH, realism is important.

Defences 1 to 4 Applicable to 8th Kup yellow belts

1. Right leg back into a walking stance and perform a middle section Inner forearm block in time with your partners punch. Step back with the front foot and do the same block on the second and third punch. Perform a middle section reverse punch as a counter attack to the puncher’s chest with a ‘Kihap’. This signifies you have finished.
2. Left leg back into an L-stance performing an Inner forearm block middle section. Repeat same movement on 2nd and 3rd punches. To counter attack; step out with your back leg (left) then follow through with your right leg giving you the correct angle to use a right handed knifehand strike to the back of the neck. Kihap as you knifehand.
3. Left foot back into L-stance; block the punch with a right handed Inward outer forearm block. Repeat the same movement on 2nd and 3rd punches. To counter attack use the right hand and slide forward moving front foot into a walking stance whilst performing a back fist side strike to the temple. Kihap to finish.
4. Left foot back into L-stance block the punch with an inner forearm block. Repeat the same movement with the 2nd and 3rd punch. Counter attack by stepping out into a sitting stance with the left foot whilst simultaneously performing a middle double punch. Kihap.

   Defences 5 to 7 Applicable to 7th Kup yellow belts

5. Right foot back into L-stance performing an outer forearm block. Repeat the same movement with the 2nd punch. On the 3rd punch block with the left outer forearm and simultaneously front punch with the right hand to the jaw hinge; stepping the right foot out into a sitting stance; remaining close to attacker. Kihap.
6. Right foot back into L-stance performing a knifehand block. Repeat the same movement with the 2nd punch. On the 3rd block with the left knifehand and simultaneously knifehand strike to the carotid artery on the neck; stepping the right foot out into sitting stance; remaining close to attacker. Kihap.
7. Right foot back into L-stance performing an outer forearm block. Repeat the same movement with the 2nd punch. On the 3rd punch slide away in an L- stance forearm guarding block; gaining an angle and distance to counter attack. Counter with a front snap kick off the back leg (right leg) then finish in walking stance double punch. Kihap.

   Defences 8 to 10 Applicable to 6th Kup Green belts

8. Right foot back into L-stance performing a right knifehand block. Repeat the same movement with 2nd punch. On the 3rd punch slide away in an L-stance knifehand guarding block; gaining the correct angle to counter attack and distance to counter attack. Counter with a back leg (right leg) side kick then finish with a knifehand strike to the opponent’s neck in a L-stance. Kihap.
9. Right foot back into L-stance performing an inward palm block with the left hand. Repeat the same movement on the 2nd punch. On the 3rd punch block in the same manner but come around sliding to the blind side of the attacker finishing in an L-stance with the right foot behind. Make sure you have the correct angle and distance to counter attack with a back leg (right) turning kick to your opponent’s floating ribs. Then place your kicking foot outside of the attackers front foot; draw your back foot up (left) into a vertical stance and perform a knifehand strike with the right hand to the back of the opponents neck. Kihap.
10. Right leg back into L-stance performing a knifehand block with left hand. Repeat the same movement with the 2nd punch. On the 3rd punch slide away with the right foot behind into an L-stance knifehand guarding block. Ensure you are the correct angle and distance away. Right foot behind using the right foot counter with a reverse side kick to the rib cage of opponent. Place the right foot across into a walking stance whilst performing a reverse knifehand strike to the sternum of the opponent with the left hand. Kihap.

1, 2, 3 and 4 are applicable to 8th Kup yellow belt. 5, 6 and 7 are tested at 7th Kup yellow belt. 8,9 and 10 are tested at 6th Kup Green Belt.

Tips that really helped me when I got any head around the basics of 3 step, these may help or hinder but here they are anyway:

1. Number one is the only one you defend in Walking Stance, everything else is defended in L Stance (2-10)
2. Left foot back for numbers 2, 3 and 4 only. Everything else is right foot back when you defend.