Each student in the TKD-ARNIS Academy is required to practice a formal drill known as one-step sparring. This type of sparring is very controlled so the student can begin to practice basic self defense, although one-step sparring does progress to more advanced techniques. One step technique is practiced with a partner.

The drill begins with both students in the ready position. One student then steps back into a forward stance Down Block (right leg back unless otherwise specified). When the person who is to execute the technique is ready, they yell, and the opponent steps forward with a right middle punch in a forward stance. The student executes the technique, both students return to ready position, and they switch roles.

One step sparring is very controlled so the student does not have to worry about different attack lines right away. The attack is already designated, and the attack can only be thrown when the student is ready to execute the technique. This drill helps the student develop timing, distance, and accuracy with students of varying shapes and sizes.

Basic One-Step Technique:

Hand Technique

1. Step left leg outside diagonally into horseback riding stance. Block left palm at elbow. Right punch left punch high. Right punch left punch midsection.
2. Raise left arm, pivot on the vertical axis (brush, outside), immediately grab with right hand, lower weight to deliver a left elbow to the midsection.
3. Pivot inside blocking with the right arm, immediately lowering weight to strike with right elbow. Right hand back knuckle strike (face) opening distance.
4. Hands from right hip, stepping inside - simultaneous left knifehand block to wrist with right knifehand strike (inward) to left collarbone.
5. Hands from right hip, stepping inside - left hand check to wrist. Right forearm strike to left jaw - grab with left hand, execute right elbow strike to right jaw.

Foot Technique

1. From ready position, step diagonally left checking with the right hand. Hook the hand and deliver a right leg turning kick to the midsection.
2. Right leg back to fighting stance - Right crescent kick to punch, immediately followed by right side kick (do not put the leg down).
3. Right leg back to fighting stance - Right crescent kick to punch, left back kick to midsection.
4. Right leg back to fighting stance - Right hook kick to punch, left turning kick to head.
5. Right leg back to fighting stance - Right side kick to midsection, right arm up to guard punch. Right knifehand strike to neck/face targets.

Intermediate One-step Technique:

Hand Technique

1. Step left (outside), check with left palm. Lunge in delivering a right ridge hand strike.
2. Step right (inside), check with left hand - grab with left hand delivering three punches with the right hand - High, middle, low (groin).
3. Step right (inside), W shaped block (left arm contacts opponents wrist) - double knifehand strike (inward) to collarbones/neck. Grab neck with fingers, pull opponent toward while delivering left knee to midsection.
4. Step left leg straight in while simultaneously checking with right hand and delivering a left palm heel to right jaw (right over left). Pull head with left to right elbow strike, followed by right backfist - pull opponent with right hand into right knee to head (no contact!).
5. Step left (outside), while check with the right hand. Grab with right - step into left elbow strike- sink weight to left elbow strike to body.

Foot Technique

1. Execute switch kick (left outside or right inside).
2. Right front snap kick midsection followed by right high turning kick (do not touch leg down).
3. Right side kick to midsection, followed by left back kick to midsection.
4. Turn inside on vertical axis blocking with right arm - step in elbow strike to midsection. Double turning kick (knee to head).
5. Step left checking with the right hand. Grab with right executing a middle turning kick with right. Come down into a left arm bar followed by a left elbow strike to spine (with a jump).

Advanced One-Step Technique:

Hand Technique

1. Block outside, right outer forearm. Grab arm. Pull down to arm bar, to arm lock and punch to head. 2. Block outside, left outer forearm. Spin, executing right elbow to head followed by right elbow to kidney. Left elbow to ribs (below punching arm) while guarding face with right hand.
3. Block inside, left knifehand. Simultaneously, right palm heel to chest. Step right leg through to sweep, takedown, and punch.
4. Deflect punch with right backhand. Swing punching arm downward with left backhand (similar to “X” block). Reach above punch to back of elbow with right hand. Lock punching arm at elbow with left knifehand. Step right foot out and spin to takedown.
5. Deflect punch with right backhand. Swing punching arm downward with left backhand (similar to “X” block). Slide left hand over punch and trap arm. Spin, executing right elbow to head followed by right elbow to kidney. Spin back while executing a right knifehand strike to wrist, grab with right hand to throw.

Foot Technique

1. Block outside, right outer forearm. Grab arm. Right turning kick to stomach, side kick to ribs, hook kick to head, turning kick to face.
2. Left tornado kick. (first kick to wrist, second to face)
3. Step to side. Jump turning kick (switchkick motion) with stepping leg.
4. Block outside, right outer forearm. Grab arm. Right turning kick to stomach. Release arm, jump hook kick to back of head.
5. Block inside, right outer forearm. Right elbow to ribs. Return right foot, jump left back kick.
6. Right back stance. Jump, right half turning kick and simultaneous right punch.