Tip #10: Training Progression In segment #10 of Retention Based Sparring, Master Christopher Rappold teaches us how he delivers sparring content using three basic principles. 1. Stationary. Here, you "chunk down" the move into its smallest elements so that a beginning student can easily understand it. 2. Isolate. This is where you teach the technique with timing, distance and motion. The student practices it with only 50% speed and power. 3. Integrate. Finally, the student practices the technique in a free style sparring format. But again, they don't bring the intensity level up to 100%. They keep it at about 60-70% ...
Read More

Retention Based Sparring Tip Series: Tip #9 from Rob Colasanti on Vimeo. Tip #9: Demonstration of Progression In segment #9 of Retention Based Sparring, Master Christopher Rappold has his black belt instructors demonstrate the format they use for teaching sparring. As you'll see, they begin by practicing a drill (backfist versus defensive side kick) from a stationary position. Then, they move around, as if they were sparring, while they practice isolating key elements of the drill such as distance, timing and motion. Next, they pick up the pace while integrating fakes, timing variations, rhythm, footwork, etc. Eventually, they spar. Using this ...
Read More

Tip #8: The Importance of Correct Footwork In this segment of Retention Based Sparring, Master Rappold offers some helpful tips on how to teach proper footwork to your students. As Master Rappold explains, learning correct footwork involves practicing creative drills that teach distance control. Here, he discusses the safety zone and the danger zone—terms to which students can easily understand and remember. He also talks about "critical distance," which is the two inch space that separates the safety and danger zones and why this is important for students to understand. All the while, we see Master Rappold's black belts demonstrating the drills as he speaks ...
Read More

Tip #7: Basic Positioning As you know, students must be taught to use an effective fighting stance when sparring. In this segment of his exclusive GCI Retention Based Sparring series, WAKO world champion, Master Christopher Rappold, discusses a wide range of basic stance related skills for students, such as: Turning the body to the side Putting the power hand in the back The concept of "soft knees" Rear shoulder positioning "Iron Guard position 50/50 weight distribution Rhythm And more… About Chris Rappold: Chris is the founder of Personal Best Karate Centers, a top quality chain of martial arts schools with five locations. He ...
Read More

Tip #6: The Sparring Leads to Dropout Myth Many school owners do not implement sparring because they feel it will lead to dropout. According to Master Chris Rappold—this is a myth! One of the secrets to teaching a retention based sparring program is to emphasize PROGRESS and deemphasize winning and losing. When you do this, students will develop the correct attitude toward sparring and your retention will increase, not decrease. About Chris Rappold: Chris is the founder of Personal Best Karate Centers, a top quality chain of martial arts schools with five locations. He has won four W.A.K.O. world titles ...
Read More

Tip #5: Aliveness In this segment... About Chris Rappold: Chris is the founder of Personal Best Karate Centers, a top quality chain of martial arts schools with five locations. He has won four W.A.K.O. world titles in fighting and he is the Executive Director of Team Paul Mitchell Karate.   ...
Read More

Tip #4: Corner Blocking System In this segment, he explains his belief that the two can coexist together because each serves a unique purpose. About Chris Rappold: Chris is the founder of Personal Best Karate Centers, a top quality chain of martial arts schools with five locations. He has won four W.A.K.O. world titles in fighting and he is the Executive Director of Team Paul Mitchell Karate.   ...
Read More

Tip #3: Sparring Versus Self Defense As Master Rappold reminds us, "The techniques you use in the ring are NOT always practical for self defense situations." Guns, knives, clubs, multiple attackers and so on change the dynamic drastically. As he explains in his third Retention Based Sparring tip segment, both "camps" can work together for success at your school...if you integrate them properly. About Chris Rappold: Chris is the founder of Personal Best Karate Centers, a top quality chain of martial arts schools with five locations. He has won four W.A.K.O. world titles in fighting and he is the Executive Director of ...
Read More

Tip #2: Sparring Versus Performance Martial Arts As Executive Director of Team Paul Mitchell, Master Rappold is a big fan of choreography based performance martial arts. As he comments, "The enjoyment is in perfecting it." And you can do that mainly on your own through practice. However, Master Rappold is also a four time W.A.K.O. world champion who knows that learning how to spar effectively ultimately requires a partner in order to add the element of functionality. Performance martial artists do the flips and tricks. Sparring gets into the application of real martial arts. So they are different. In this segment, he ...
Read More

Tip #1: Welcome and Why In Segment #1 of Retention Based Sparring, Master Rappold briefly introduces this exclusive GCI tip series. Then, he touches upon how new students want to feel like what they are learning in class will actually work in a real self-defense situation. Next, Master Rappold explains that if you implement sparring the right way, it will energize and excite your students…not scare them off. About Chris Rappold: Chris is the founder of Personal Best Karate Centers, a top quality chain of martial arts schools with five locations. He has won four W.A.K.O. world titles in fighting and ...
Read More