Pressure Drills for ITF Sparring

This post provides background and teaching context for the Premium video Pressure Drills for Sparring, taught by Mr Mark Trotter. Creating pressure for an opponent is a crucial part of high-level ITF sparring, and this session focuses entirely on how that pressure is built, applied, and maintained.

In this video, Mr Trotter spends over 50 minutes coaching two black belt students through a series of sparring drills designed to develop constant, intelligent pressure. Rather than chasing points or relying on single techniques, the drills emphasise positioning, distance control, and timing to limit an opponent’s options.

Understanding Pressure in ITF Sparring

Pressure in ITF sparring is not just about moving forward aggressively. It involves controlling space, forcing reactions, and creating situations where the opponent feels rushed or restricted. The drills shown in this session demonstrate how pressure can be applied without over-committing or losing balance.

The preview clip shows a mix of Mr Trotter’s own sparring technique alongside coaching moments from the session. These examples help illustrate how technical quality underpins effective pressure and why clean movement and positioning are essential at advanced levels.

Coaching Value for Instructors

For instructors, this video offers clear and practical pressure drills that can be adapted for club training or competition preparation. The emphasis on decision-making under pressure makes the material especially useful for black belts and senior colour belts preparing for tournaments.

Learn more about the instructor featured in this video here:
Mr Mark Trotter – Expert Coach Profile

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On each coach’s profile you can see all the videos they have featured in for TKD Coaching.