One-step sparring is practicing self-defense, as if someone were throwing a punch to your nose. It is called “one-step” sparring because you and your partner practice this one step away from each other.

When starting one-step sparring, you and your partner face each other, in an at-ease position. If in a class setting, you will have two lines facing each other, partners facing across to the other line. The instructor will call attention (“cha-ryot”), then for the partners to bow to each other (“gyun-ne”), then for one-step sparring stance (“il-bo daryun joon be”), so the partners all step so they are one step away from each other, in a ready (“jun be”) stance. Then the instructor will call to begin (“shee-juck”).

One line, with the student with the highest belt, will “challenge”, or attack first. After the attack and defense is completed, the partner will challenge. Then the partners continue one-step sparring until the instructor calls to stop (“geu maan”). The instructor will then have you bow again to thank your partner.

The challenger will move their right foot back to form a front stance, at the same time performing a low block with their left hand. When the hand and foot stop moving, the challenger yells (“kihap!”) to indicate he is ready to punch the defender in the nose!

The defender decides which defense to perform while remaining in the ready stance. When they’re ready, they yell to let their partner know.

Then the challenger steps forward into a front stance, executing a punch aimed at the defender’s nose. The challenger need not attack immediately; the defender must be ready for the attack to come, and react to it! When the punch comes out, the defender executes their chosen defense, and at the end of the final motion yells, to indicate the defense has been completed. Some defenses involve multiple techniques, so it is important for the challenger to only react, not ending the defense, until the defender’s yell. Only then do both partners return to the ready position, and the defender becomes the challenger, and vice versa.

One-step sparring defenses are limited only by the imagination. In class, the instructors teach several techniques, but students may combine them, and even invent new ones, to practice how they work in class to see how they would work in practice.

Five basic one-step sparring techniques, in order:

Technique	How to perform
Double knife-hand strike	As the punch comes out, avoid the punch by stepping to your right 45° into a horseback-riding stance, moving your hands to your right. Your left hand should be palm-up, and your right hand palm-down. Complete the double knife-hand strike, striking your left hand on the challenger’s forearm, and the right hand at the neck. Use control, so that you don’t cause your partner pain. You can get very close your partner on the strikes instead of striking them if you need to improve your control.
Block and punch	As the punch comes out, block the punch with a left-hand high block, then punch toward either your partner’s nose or left shoulder. Do not make contact with the punch, but use control to get close without hitting.
Block and three punches	As the punch comes out, step to your left 45&deg into a horseback-riding stance, pushing the challenger’s arm between the elbow and shoulder, with your left hand. Punch with your right hand to your challenger’s kidney, counterbalancing by bringing your left (blocking) hand to your belt. Then punch with your left hand to your challenger’s kidney, counterbalancing by bringing your right hand to your belt. Finally, punch toward your challenger’s temple with your right hand, counterbalancing by bringing your left hand to your belt.
Groin strike	As the punch comes out, avoid the punch by stepping to your right 45&deg into a horseback-riding stance, moving your hands into the “digging” position, both palms toward your partner. Complete the groin strike technique.
Slash kick	As the punch comes out, avoid the punch with your left hand, then execute a slash kick to your partner’s solar plexus, moving past your partner to your left. You should not make contact, but exercise control to come close and show you could have hit them.

More basic one-step techniques

Technique	How to perform
Knife-hand to temple	As the punch comes out, execute a high block with your left hand, stepping forward with your left foot. Once you have blocked, execute a knife-hand to your partner’s left temple with your right hand, pulling your left hand into a fist at your belt to counterbalance.
Front kick	As the punch comes out, bring either foot up into a front kick to the solar plexus. The kick should be fast enough that the punch does not get a chance to complete.
Elbow strike	As the punch comes out, step forward with your right foot into a horseback-riding stance, raising your right hand into a middle block to block the punch. Your feet should line up toward your partner. Put your right fist in your left hand, and drive your elbow toward your partner’s ribs with a supported elbow strike.
Overhead hammer blow	As the punch comes out, execute a high block with your left hand, stepping forward with your left foot. Once you have blocked, execute an overhead hammer blow to the top of your partner’s head, striking with the end of your hand nearest your little finger.
Roundhouse kick	As the punch comes out, step a little to your left with your left foot, blocking with your right hand from the outside of your partner. (Optionally) grab your partner’s wrist, and deliver a roundhouse kick with your right foot to your partner’s solar plexus.

More advanced one-step techniques

Technique	How to perform
Cross block and kick	As the punch comes out, lower your stance by moving your right foot back, bringing both hands up in a crossing wedge block with your right hand over your left. Rotate both hands clockwise to grab your partner’s arm, then rotate the arm in a big circle, keeping the arm straight, until your hands are near your ear-height. Finish with a front kick to the solar plexus.
"Donkey ears"	As the punch comes out, bring both hands up to your ears, palms inward, elbows forward, blocking the punch. Bring both hands in a knife-hand strike to your partner’s collar bone (be careful: it takes little effort to break this bone, so it is better to miss than hit too hard). Bring both hands back into fists, and execute a double uppercut to your partner’s solar plexus.
Grab and rotate	As the punch comes out, step to your right 45° into a horseback riding stance, blocking your partner’s arm with your right hand. Slide your hand up to your partner’s hand, putting your thumb between your partner’s thumb and index finger. Rotate your arm clockwise in a big half circle so your partner’s back is toward you. Finish with a knife-hand strike to the back of the neck.
Serpentine block	As the punch comes out, step forward with your left foot, blocking with a high block. Transition the block into a serpentine block, wrapping your hand and arm around your partner’s arm moving counter-clockwise. Now that your partner’s arm is secured, execute an uppercut to the solar plexus, then an elbow strike to your partner’s chin.
Ridge-hand strike	As the punch comes out, step under the punch to the left, blocking with your left hand just in case the punch is too fast. Execute a ridge-hand strike to your partner’s solar plexus. Make sure your elbow is bent when you strike, to give support to your arm, or you risk straining your elbow.
Double arm capture	As the punch comes out, step to your left 45° into a horseback riding stance, bringing both arms up on either side of your partner’s arm. Your left wrist should be on your partner’s arm, and your right elbow should capture your partner’s wrist. Rotate into a front stance, bending forward, rolling your left arm along your partner’s arm so it rolls down near your elbow, and roll your right arm so your partner’s arm rolls near your wrist. You should now be able to place your partner’s wrist on your right knee, still holding your partner’s arm with your left arm. Finish with a knife-hand strike to the back of the neck.
Sequential strikes	As the punch comes out, execute a high block with your left hand, stepping forward with your left foot. Execute an uppercut to your partner’s solar plexus, and follow up with an elbow strike to the chin, or another uppercut to the chin.
Wrist capture	As the punch comes out, capture the wrist by grabbing with your right hand from the outside. Grab on also with your left hand, then rotate your partner’s arm down, then over your head as you step to your partner’s right side. You should now be in a position to bring your partner’s elbow down onto your shoulder, which could break the elbow in a real self-defense situation. Alternatively, you can pin the arm behind your partner’s back, and finish with a punch to the back of the neck.
Crescent kick, turn-around side kick	As the punch comes out, kick your partner’s arm with your right foot, executing an outside-inside crescent kick. Continue spinning counter-clockwise, and execute a turn-around side kick with your left foot to your partner’s solar plexus.

Take-down one-steps

Technique	How to perform
Basic take-down	As the punch comes out, step left 45%deg;, blocking with your left hand. For safety, grab your partner’s uniform at the shoulder. Bring your right foot forward behind your partner and bring your right hand back, so they move oppositely, like a scissors. Bring your right foot back and your right arm forward, again like a scissors, so your foot strikes your partner low on the leg and your arm strikes toward the neck or chest (depending on your height difference). Hold on to your partner as they fall, taking care they are not injured in class. Finish with a punch to your partner’s face.
Hand control	As the punch comes out, block with your left hand, gripping your partner’s hand with your fingers covering their thumb and your thumb on the back of the hand. Bring your other hand up to support, putting both thumbs on the back of your partner’s hand. Bring your hands in front of you, rotating slightly counter-clockwise, so your partner’s arm is straight up. Push down with your thumbs, slightly toward your partner, until your partner taps out.
High block inside	As the punch comes out, step forward with your left foot, blocking with a left high block. Bring your right hand over your partner’s arm, then under, grabbing your own upper arm. Keep your partner’s elbow facing you. Simply walk forward, and you bring your partner down.
High block outside	As the punch comes out, step forward with your left foot, blocking with a left high block. Rotate your left hand clockwise so you can grab your partner’s wrist. Bring your right hand outside, so your partner’s elbow is to the right of your arm, and grab your partner’s wrist. Simply walk forward, and you bring your partner down.
Clothesline	As the punch comes out, step to the left into a horseback-riding stance, blocking the punch with your left arm with a middle block. Your left foot should be behind your partner’s right leg. Put your left arm on your partner’s chest or neck (depending on height), and rotate your body counter-clockwise, keeping your balance and your back straight.

This is not an exhaustive list of one-steps. You can combine them, and even invent your own techniques. Make sure you act safely in class, especially when experimenting with something new.