Parrying and Sparring

Parrying is a light form of sparring, allowing people to develop skills for deflecting attacks.  This is performed with light contact and in a controlled manner appropriate to the experience level.   Sparring is the closest skill to real fighting that we engage in and is practised only under agreed conditions and between similar skill levels.  Control at all times is emphasised and the pace and level of contact is agreed before the sparring starts.  Hugh always encourages us to demonstrate as wide a range of techniques as possible during this practice as the aim is not to "win" but to stay safe.  As you can see, boxing gloves, shin guards and gum shields are recommended pieces of equipment!