Sparring

1. Objective


The objective of this procedure is to ensure the safe participation by club members in any sparring events as directed and part of training.

2. Scope


The policy applies to any sparring, as defined, by members of the WA School of Japanese Swordsmanship in the Dojo or during any public demonstration of the schools techniques.

3. Specific requirements


3.1 Purpose of Sparring

Members of the WASJS undertake varieties of sparring in order to apply their technical training in a dynamic environment. Learning static techniques seldom enables a student to apply said techniques when an opponent is interacting with them, that is moving in an unpredictable way and trying to strike them as opposed to being static or performing a predetermined move. Sparring is never used at WASJS for competition or in a competitive environment. The sole purpose is to enhance teaching and learning through the application of techniques in a 'fight' environment. All techniques used during sparring should be 'pulled', that is stopped prior to hitting the target or at a maximum robbed of speed and power prior to striking any part of the body. This translates to a form of 'light' sparring where some form of non injurious contact can be made with the opponent for the purpose of teaching and learning. Within the frameworks of this guide it is expected no one should sustain any injury under these conditions.

3.2 Planning

3.3 Sparring

3.3.1 In the Training Hall

3.3.2 In Public


In Summary

3.4 Completion of Sparring

At the completion of sparring, all equipment will be checked, cleaned and stored.

4. Should an Incident Occur

As sparring is only undertaken when an instructor with First Aid Training is present, it will be that instructors responsibility to manage the incident and make any decisions pertaining to the medical treatment etc.

5. General

All students and instructors have a duty of care responsibility to follow these instructions and maintain a safe sparring environment for themselves, fellow students, visitors and the public.

6. Safety Analysis

The above procedures were designed to control the following hazards.

It is not safe to assume that because you are trained in kenjutsu, and the sparring WASJS undertakes, that people and things around you are safe without first investigating the circumstances and taking action to ensure that it is, in fact, safe.

7. Procedure for breech of policy

In general, if the Chief Instructor personally observes or is told of a breech of safety that, in his judgement (that is was a malicious or intentional act) endangers the safety of the student or other people during sparring (or any other activity within the school), a student will be asked to leave the school immediately and asked not to return.

The following applies to the continuation of a similar event.

7.1 First Offence

Student will be counselled and retrained prior to returning to the activity.

7.2 Second Offence

Student will be reprimanded, counselled, and may be suspended from training then retrained, observed by the Chief Instructor as having learned the correct procedure, prior to returning to the activity.

7.3 Third Offence

Student will be asked to leave the school never to return.