In 2026 we are introducing Part 1 (White to Blue Tip) - we will release Part 2 (Blue to Black Tip) once Part 1 is being taught correctly by instructors.

Sparring Syllabus

Developed by Master Mitchell Wetherell and Master Sam Morgan of the Sutherland Hapkido Club - introduced in the teaching syllabus 2026.

Introduction

Since the earliest days of the Australian Hapkido Association, sparring has been a part of our culture and training. Our founder, Master Matthew Kim had exposure to a variety of other fighting skills, including Boxing and was truly gifted in Sparring. It is his skill at integrating effective techniques into a Sparring environment that has inspired many of us over the years to continue to maintain a focus on Sparring within our training.

The art of Sparring is integral to having a well-rounded understanding of Hapkido and staying relevant in a society that offers many varied options in the Martial Arts. Sparring is integral in developing the connection of technique, distance, timing, reactions, awareness, centering – in a safe but spontaneous and unpredictable setting.

In 2014, we (Mitch Wetherell and Sam Morgan) began holding seminars focussing specifically on Sparring for AHA Senior Belts to address the gap in knowledge and skill development that was becoming more apparent. For the past 10 years they have been analysing the skills required and working on integrating specific drills and training into our club, while honouring the style of Sparring that Hapkido represents. The Sparring seminars have been well received and attended by many members of our association. The broad and valuable experience provided by those who have attended, and feedback we have received continues to inform the development of techniques in this area.

Master Mitchell Wetherell and Sam Morgan have prepared a syllabus to formalise the teaching of sparring for each belt level. A key ingredient to make this work is that our instructors know and understand sparring before they teach it.

Objectives of the Sparring elements of our Syllabus

The sparring elements in the syllabus aim to provide a structured approach to the development of competency in Sparring that aligns with the concepts, principles and skill development embedded within the AHA’s existing syllabus.

The sparring elements are a series of drills applicable at each belt grade that teach practical technique, delivered with proper progression of skill. Focus is on repetition of techniques and building combinations over time.

Sparring in Hapkido

Sparring gives students the opportunity to learn and practice a range of techniques in spontaneous, free-form fighting within a range of established rules to minimise the risk of injury. Sparring in Hapkido draws from a wide variety of skills encompassing kicking, striking, takedowns, throws, ground work and locking techniques.

Sparring in the AHA is semi or touch contact, so the emphasis is always to respect and look after your training partner, challenging each other but having fun at the same time. We are not looking to create full contact fighters, however we do want students to have a sound understanding of Sparring and fighting to ensure they are able to defend themselves.

Protective gear recommendations for Sparring:

• Shin pads - so you can check leg kicks and make light contact but not hurt your partner

• Groin guard (where relevant)

• 16 Oz Boxing Gloves - so you can make light contact but not hurt your partner

• Mouth Guard - so you can keep avoid loss of teeth and get used to breathing though your nose.

General Principles of Sparring

The following principles underpin the development of skills and techniques that we will be utilising to build a sound foundation in Sparring.

• Frame – Maintaining an understanding and awareness your basic frame or stance before during and after movement or executing a technique. An ideal frame for Sparring involves chin down, hands/guard up, weight centred, body angled.

• Balance – keep balance by lowering and maintaining your centre so that you can move quickly in attack, or defence.

• Connection - whole body connection, or feet-hip-torso-shoulder, driving and connecting to (or beyond) the end of the movement.

• Distance - understand being “inside” the distance or “outside” the distance, that is, where you need to be to apply effective techniques and conversely, at what distance you become vulnerable to your opponent’s attack.

• Timing - be able to catch the moments when you can successfully apply techniques and with minimal risk to yourself.

• Control - being able to use a range of techniques safely and with respect for your partner to minimise risk of injury. This extends to not intimidating your partner through aggression but rather working together to build each-others confidence in sparring.

• Combinations – as Hapkidoists, we have a large and varied pool of techniques to draw from for our sparring. As students develop, they should build combinations into their sparring taking from the various techniques they trained and acquired.

Part 1 2026

Here is a video from a Workshop at the AHA Camp 2026 by Masters Wetherell and Morgan teaching the drills for Part 1.  https://youtu.be/gOlMA9U_CPI 

White Belt

Objectives: At this level, students are learning to form a basic frame, or sparring stance and apply balanced, linear movement. These drills draw from the current White Belt techniques the student is concurrently learning, namely sparring stance and front knee/turning knee strike, while beginning to build a foundation of movement, basic guarding, basic jab/cross and parrying hand techniques.

1. 1. Movement Drill (sparring stance) – done in lines in class

      • In & Out - Guard up

      • In & Out - Jab (front hand)

      • In & Out - Jab/Cross

   2. Combination Drill - Jab/Cross > Step forward (R) > Knee Strike (L) – and reverse, in lines

   3. Partner Drill - Basic Parrying against Jab, Cross and Jab/Cross Combinations with partner.

Yellow Tip

Objectives: Students are building on stance work by adding basic angular movements - moving in a semi-circle and the introduction of evasion or slipping. Students also begin to practise pivoting and implementing directional change. These drills build on the techniques learnt at White Belt, specifically front kick and turning kick, with students learning to apply these techniques with control in a sparring setting.

1. Movement Drill (sparring stance) – done in lines in class

   • In & Out: Semi circle - Guard up

   • In & Out: Semi circle - Jab (front hand)

   • In & Out: Semi circle - Jab/Cross

2. Combination Drill – Step to Right (guard up) > Pivot to Left > Front Kick Left Leg (and Reverse) - in lines

3. Partner Drills

   • Parrying against Jab/Cross & Turning Kick with partner (one for one, continuous)

   • Against a Left Jab with partner:

     • • Slip stepping to the right (outside)

       • Slip to right > Over the top Right-hand punch

       • Slip to right with simultaneous left Jab

       • Slip with Jab to the Right > Pivot to Left > Front Kick Left Leg

Yellow Belt

Objectives: At this level, students are starting to learn the concept of counter attack while building on their understanding of distance, timing and connection to the techniques learnt. These drills build on the techniques learnt at the previous belt level by adding increased focus on speed and timing, anticipation and reaction time. Students should have developed proficiency with sliding turning kick and started learning turning back kick by this stage.

1. Movement Drill – Duck and Roll – done in lines in class

2. Combination Drill - Switch stance > Turning Kick / Turning Back Kick - in lines

3. Partner Drills

   • Continuous Jab/Cross with a partner catching (moving in and out with speed)

     • One at a time

     • One-for-one

   • Against Turning Kick (R) > Simultaneous Counter with Side Step (R) and Turning Kick to their supporting leg (Left to left)

   • Against Sliding Turning Kick (L) > Simultaneous Counter with Side Step (L) and Turning Kick to their supporting leg (Right to right)

   • Switch stance > Turning Kick / Turning Back Kick (One for One)

Green Tip

Objectives: At this level students are continuing to develop the concept of counter attack and adding more complex combinations to develop their distance and timing using belt grade kicking techniques. In addition, the student’s understanding of full-body connection is challenged by progression of combinations crossing the midline.

1. 1. Movement Drill - In & Out: Jab high/Cross high/Jab low/Cross low - in lines in class

   2. Combination Drill – Jab/Cross > Duck and Roll Left to Right > Cross (R) - in lines

   3. Partner Drills

      • Jab for Jab/Cross for Cross (One person Jabs high and the other partner Jabs low > One person Crosses High and the other partner Crosses low & vice versa)

        1. On the spot

        2. Continuous in and out

      • Against a Jab/Cross > Parry both strikes, inner thigh kick (L), outer thigh kick (R)

      • Jab/Cross > partner Parries then Hooks (L) > Duck and Roll (Left to Right) > Straight Right (one for one)

      • Against person pressing or moving in > Front Foot Side Kick/Turning Back Kick

Green Belt

Objectives: At this level students will learn basic leg checks, testing balance and centre whilst under pressure. Movement to the periphery is now becoming a greater focus.

1. 1. Movement Drills - in lines in class

      • Basic Pendulum Movement: side to side – 2 step, guard up

      • Pendulum Movement: Turning Kick – 3 step

   2. Combination Drill – Switch stance with simultaneous Jab > lunging into Turning Kick (R)

   3. Partner Drills

      • Triple Leg Check - Against low Turning Kick (R) > Leg Check Outside (L) > Against low Front Foot Turning Kick (L) > Leg Check Inside (L) > Against low Turning Kick (R) > Leg Check Bracing Thigh – one for one

      • Attack with Switch stance simultaneous Jab > lunging into Turning Kick (R) – one for one

      • Attack with Jab/Cross, Pendulum movement Turning Kick to the Rear leg (Partner Framing)

Blue Tip

Objectives: At this level, students are continuing to focus on defensive techniques (slip, parry and check) to stay inside the distance when under pressure. They will also learn to deflect Front Kick and add spinning kicks in combination with hand techniques.

1. 1. Movement Drill – in lines in class

      • Basic Pendulum movement: side to side and Rip

      • Basic Pendulum movement: side to side Rip and Hook

   2. Combination Drill – Jab/Cross/Slip Combo - Jab (L) Cross (R) Slip to outside (R) Cross (R) Straight (L) Slip to outside (L) – in lines

   3. Partner Drills

      • Jab/Cross/Slip Combo – Partner 1 does Jab (L) Cross (R) with Partner 2 catching > then Partner 1 Slips to outside (R) to evade Partner 2’s Jab (L) > Partner 1 punches Cross (R) Straight (L) ) with Partner 2 catching > then Partner 1 Slips to outside (L) to evade partner 2’s Straight (R) Pivot off 45°(R)

      • Jab/Cross/Front Kick Combo - Partner 1 does Jab (L) Cross (R) Front Kick (R) > Partner 2 Parries (R) and (L) deflect Front Kick to the outside and Hook (L)

      • Spinning Hook Combo - Partner 1 does Low Turning kick (R) > Partner 2 reacts with Leg Check outside (L), Switch stance Turning Kick (L), Spinning Hook (R) – one for one

Part 2 Future Release

Blue Belt

Objectives: Students are now working on combining evasive and defensive techniques against punching and kicking attacks, maintaining their frame to counter strike and are beginning to take advantage of being inside the distance to take-down.

1. 1. Movement Drills - in lines in class

      • Jab/Cross, Slip and Pendulum (moving around in a circle)

      • Leading Hook – Slip (L) > Hook (L) > Pivot off (CW) x 4 (moving around in circle)

   2. Combination Drills – in lines

      • Jab/Cross, Slip to outside (R) and Axe Kick (L)

      • Leading Hook (L) reframe and Cross (R)

   3. Partners Drills

      • Leading Hook Combo - Partner 1 attacks with Leading Hook (L) and Straight (R) > Partner 2 evades Hook with Duck and Roll (Left to Right) then leans back to evade Straight and counter with Straight (R)

      • Scissor Sweep Combo - Partner 1 attacks with Front Knee Feint (L) and Turning Back Kick (R) > Partner 2 defends with Slip (L) grab shoulder and Scissor Sweep (L)

Red Tip

Objectives: At this level, movement to the side should be more natural allowing Students to stay at a distance from which they are able to counter more easily. Students are beginning to work with belt grade kicking techniques, such as Jumping Back Kick in Sparring and have had ample time to become proficient with Low Spinning Heel kick so they may practice now applying the kick safely and with correct timing.

1. 1. Movement Drills -

      • Jab/Cross, Slip, Pendulum and Rip (moving in a circle)

   2. Combination Drills - in lines

      • Switch stance Axe Kick (L) > Turning Back Kick (R)

      • Parry (R) > Move Out/back > Low Spinning Heel (R)

   3. Partner Drills -

      • Double Leg Takedown - Against Jab (L) > Slip outside (R) > Shoot in for Double Leg takedown

      • Jumping Back Kick Defence - Partner 1 attacks with Leading Hook (L) and Straight (R) > Partner 2 evades Hook with Duck and Roll (Left to Right) then leans back to evade Straight and counter with Jumping Back Kick

      • Low Spinning Heel Defence – Partner 1 attacks with Jab (L) and Turning Kick (R) > Partner 2 reacts with Parry (R) moving back drop into Low Spinning Heel (R)

Red Belt

Objectives: At this level, Students will continue to build their defensive fortress and gain confidence in more close quarter techniques with their partner. From this level, there are no additional movement or combination drills specified, only new partner drills. Students are expected to be mastering the earlier level drills with a precision, focus and intensity that aligns with their seniority.

1. 1. Partner Drills –

      • Against mid-section Turning Kick (R) > Pivot (L) to inside, Frame & Block upper leg > Jab (R) Cross (L) Low Turning Kick (L) to supporting inner thigh, Clinch neck

      • Against over-the-top Right > Burst in with leading upward elbow (L) Trap partners right arm > Police Elbow lock and Choke Hold

      • Standing Pummels

        • Continuous co-operative (warm up and awareness drill for grappling control, contact and timing)

        • Without Compliance - Both trying to achieve double underhooks

        • Progress to throws and take-downs

Black Tip

Objectives: Students are required to utilise a range of attacking and defensive skills and demonstrate an understanding of principle-based application of technique. They should be proficient in moving inside and outside the distance, changing angles, maintaining balance, control and connection to, and of, their opponent.

1. 1. Partner Drills –

      • Against mid-section Turning kick - Pivot (L) to inside of partner > Frame, Block & Catch partners kicking leg > High Pull > Cross Face > Scissor Sweep

      • Against over-the-top Right > Burst in with leading upward Elbow (L) Trap arm and hip throw

      • Against Jab, Sliding Turning Kick - Parry/Deflect and spiral Tackle

      • Arm Drag

        1. Continuous, left and right side

        2. Progress to body lock takedown, Back takes, ankle pick or double leg takedown – can be performed against resistance or both students attempting to arm drag each other without compliance.

Grandmaster Kim Sparring Techniques

These sparring techniques are a gift from Grandmaster Matthew Sung Su Kim - they were his favourite sparring techniques - most of them are intended to end the fight - not just to score a point.

1. Backfist & palm heel strike

Two attacks with the same hand. The first attack is a feint that draws the opponent's guard away from the final target, the chin. Even though the first attack is only a feint, if it doesn't threaten your opponent, they won't react the way you want.

Lunge forward and attack the opponent's temple with a backfist (RH). As they try to block the backfist, check their elbow with your other hand (LH) and strike their chin with a palm heel strike (RH).

After the strike, grab and throw or sweep while they are still dazed. As a variation try a reverse knifehand as the second strike. This has a slightly longer range.

2. Step change & sliding side kick

A quick step change that confuses your opponent and brings you closer, positioning your supporting leg for a long sliding side kick to the ribs.

Start in a sparring stance with your right foot forward. Swap your feet, stepping out with the left foot at 45 degrees.

Push off the left leg and side kick to the ribs with the right leg. The motion looks like a zigzag.

3. Front kick feint & downwards hook

If you go to Korea you will see many statues in front of temples performing the first part of this technique.

The front kick (RF) draws your opponent's guard down to protect their stomach, the left palm pushes down and traps their guard while the right hand strikes downwards to the face, striking the nose first. In the class, this technique is practised by striking the chest with a loose fist.

This technique works best as a huge leap forward where all three techniques are performed in the air. It is important to move the top and bottom halves of your body in opposite directions to generate maximum power.

When you do the front kick, your right hand is pulled right back (fist near your ear), when you do the punch, your right leg kicks backwards.

4. Hand roll, backfist & wrist throw

Push down your opponent's right forearm with your right palm, check their elbow with your left palm and strike the temple with a backfist (RH).

This is done in a rolling motion, rolling up their arm. If the opportunity is there and while your opponent is still dazed, grab their right hand (their palm away from you, thumb to the right) and throw (like inner wrist lock).

5. Against turning kick: spin inwards & elbow strike

If timed correctly the elbow strikes at the moment they thought their foot was going to strike. This technique relies on entering past the kick's danger zone and is performed as soon as the kick leaves.

Lean forwards, guard your ribs and face (left arm straight, right palm near your ear), pivot on your front foot the moment you feel contact, and strike with you left elbow to the face or head. Be very careful to control the elbow in the class.