parring

Parring, commonly referred to as sparring, is a form of practice bout in combat sports in which two participants train together under controlled conditions. It aims to reproduce aspects of real competition—such as timing, distance, and pressure—while emphasizing safety and technique over scoring or winning.

Participants typically wear protective gear appropriate to the sport, including gloves, mouthguard, headgear, and sometimes chest protectors or shin guards. Sessions are governed by rules that specify permissible targets and levels of contact. They range from light, technical sparring to semi-contact and full-contact, adjusted to skill level and training goals.

A typical sparring session combines warm-up, drills, and rounds of sparring with set durations (often two to five minutes) and rest intervals. A coach or referee observes, offers feedback, and intervenes to restore safety or correct technique as needed.

Etiquette and safety are central: participants communicate boundaries, respect each other's limits, and follow gym rules. If pain, fatigue, or a potential injury arises, the bout should be halted or reduced in intensity.

Training outcomes include improved timing, distance control, offense and defense integration, and experiential learning in a cooperative setting. Sparring complements technique drills and competition prep, while fostering sportsmanship and discipline. It is distinct from the parry or defensive technique known as parrying.