Editing Sparring (section)

==Differences between styles==
The physical nature of sparring naturally varies with the nature of the [[skills]] it is intended to develop; sparring in a [[Strike (attack)|striking]] art such as [[Karate]] will normally begin with the players at opposite sides of the mat and will be given a point for striking the appropriate area and will be given a foul for striking an inappropriate area or stepping out of the area. Sparring in a [[grappling]] art such as [[judo]] might begin with the partners holding one another and end if they separate.

The organization of sparring matches also varies; if the participants know each other well and are friendly, it may be sufficient for them to simply play, without rules, referee, or timer. If the sparring is between strangers, there is some emotional tension, or if the sparring is being evaluated, it may be appropriate to introduce formal rules and have an experienced martial artist supervise or referee the match.
[[Image:WTF Taekwondo 1.jpg|thumb|left|160px|A [[World Taekwondo Federation|WT]] [[Taekwondo|taekwondo sparring match]]]]

In some schools, permission to begin sparring is granted upon entry. The rationale for this decision is that students must learn how to deal with a fast, powerful, and determined attacker. In other schools, students may be required to wait a few months, for safety reasons,<ref>{{cite web |title=Why Are White Belt Fighters So Dangerous? |date=8 October 2010|url=http://www.martialdevelopment.com/blog/white-belt-fighters-so-dangerous/}}</ref> because they must first build the skills they would ideally employ in their sparring practice.

Sparring is normally distinct from fights in competition, the goal of sparring normally being the education of the participants.