At Triumph Martial Arts in Urbandale, IA and Pella, IA, we teach three primary disciplines: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Krav Maga, and Taekwondo. Each of these arts provides a unique approach to self-defense, fitness, and personal growth. One of the most common questions we receive is:
“Do you offer full contact sparring?”
The short answer: No, we do not allow full contact sparring—but we do offer controlled contact sparring in Krav Maga and Taekwondo, always with full safety gear and proper supervision.
Why We Prioritize Safety
Martial arts training should prepare you for real-world situations, but it should also be safe, sustainable, and effective. Research shows that concussions and other head injuries are on the rise in contact sports. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), sports-related concussions have increased significantly over the past two decades, particularly in high-impact activities like football, boxing, and MMA.
At Triumph Martial Arts, we believe in training hard without unnecessary risk. Our controlled contact approach allows you to pressure test your offense and defense while minimizing the potential for concussions, head trauma, and other injuries.
What Does “Controlled Contact” Mean?
Controlled contact means that we train with resistance, but in a safe and structured way. Here’s what it looks like in each of our programs:
Krav Maga
Krav Maga is a real-world self-defense system designed for practical application. While it emphasizes efficiency and effectiveness in defending against real threats, our sparring is structured to prevent injuries while building real skills. We use:
- Protective gear, including gloves, shin guards/foot pads, groin protection, mouthguards, and headgear.
- Drills that simulate real attacks with appropriate force.
- Situational sparring, where students practice responses under pressure but without reckless striking.
This allows students to develop timing, distance management, and defensive reflexes without the risks associated with full-contact fighting.
Taekwondo
Taekwondo at Triumph Martial Arts includes sparring as a core component of training, particularly for students looking to improve their footwork, speed, and striking precision. However, it is always light to medium contact and follows structured rules:
- Protective gear is required, including headgear, face shields, chest protectors, groin protection, , foot pads, gloves, and mouthguards.
- Kicks and strikes are controlled, focusing on precision rather than brute force.
- Sparring is supervised, ensuring that students learn without excessive impact.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ)
Unlike striking-based arts, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu focuses on grappling, positioning, and submissions. While sparring (or “rolling”) in BJJ is fully resistant, there is no striking involved, making it a safer way to train against a live opponent. BJJ rolling helps students:
- Apply techniques in real-time against a resisting partner.
- Develop endurance, strategy, and problem-solving skills.
- Train consistently without the risk of concussions from strikes.
The Benefits of Controlled Contact Sparring
We believe controlled contact sparring offers the best of both worlds—you get to train against a resisting opponent while minimizing the risks associated with full-contact fighting. Here’s why:
✔ It Develops Realistic Skills – You learn to manage distance, control timing, and execute techniques under pressure.
✔ It Builds Confidence – Facing an opponent in a structured environment improves self-assurance and mental toughness.
✔ It Keeps You Safe – Training should be for long-term growth, not just short-term gains. Avoiding unnecessary injuries keeps you on the mats, improving every day.
✔ It Provides an Amazing Workout – Sparring challenges your body and mind, improving strength, endurance, and coordination.
Final Thoughts
At Triumph Martial Arts, our goal is to help you become a better martial artist without sacrificing your long-term health. While we offer sparring in Krav Maga and Taekwondo, it is always controlled, supervised, and focused on learning—not reckless full-contact fighting.
If you’re looking for a safe, effective, and proven way to train, we’d love to have you join us for a class! Come experience how our training methods can help you build skill, confidence, and fitness—all while staying safe.
Interested in trying a class? Contact us today to get started!
Triumph Martial Arts is a martial arts and self-defense school with locations in Pella, IA and Urbandale, IA. We specialize in Carlos Machado Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, KMF-AC Krav Maga, and ATA Martial Arts. We feature award-winning programs for kids and adults under the direction of internationally-certified instructors. Triumph is celebrating 22 years of excellence in 2025 and is an A+ accredited member of the Better Business Bureau.