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The short answer is no. The long answer is, it depends.
Students are not forced to spar in class. Students are actually discouraged to get into sparring while they are beginners. The practice of Karate is centered around the development of good technique. When students put too much emphasis on sparring, too early, their technique suffers. In addition, beginners are yet to develop self control, which may endanger the participants.
The Instructor at his/her own discretion and only under his/her guidance, may allow students to spar following the rules of the World Karate Federation.
Sparring however is a secondary activity, and does not constitute the basis of our training. Students who are not comfortable sparring are not required to do so. Fighting an opponent is not a requirement for class or testing at our school. Students who wish to learn more about sparring, and wish to do so competitively, will be guided and trained on the rules, techniques, movements, strategies, etc. that will help them to develop into first class athletes who may compete at the state, national, and international levels.
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