Putting aside differing rules each dojang may have for sparring, does anyone find themselves attacking the same targets. In other words, do you go for the old faithful or do you like variety?

I'm not sure.

I have two criteria for selecting a target:
1) It's available
2) it would be fatal or lead to a large reduction in mobility/ability.

In the rush of sparring, number 1 seems to take precedence and I find that there are certain targets which are exposed more often and therefore get hit more often. As I try and read my opponent and assess areas more vulnerable to attack I try not to guide our interaction toward me getting a particular target, but rather toward getting his sword to a particular position so that I have a broader range of targets to choose from.

To directly address your question, I don't place a lot of value on striking the head[for a variety of reasons], or the abdomen. I prefer to strike the base of the neck, the hands/forearm, and the thigh - particularly the inner thigh.

Anthony, after your "opening" strike do you have a favored "follow-up" strike or pattern?

I don't often have the opportunity to spar that way as we still stop flow on first contact, but when doing continuous sparring and I have made a solid connection I will follow up with a thrust or non-weapon attack as we are generally in very close proximity at that point and I'd like to have my opponent out of my way.

How about you?

I haven't sparred very much in HDGD, but I do tend to be a bit aggressive. In TKD sparring I fight best when I don't think too much, just get in a kick to the head. Usually no follow up there because they are getting an 8-count . . .

Dang!! Remind me not to spar against you unless you're in Illinois while I'm still in Maryland !

Historically, I have been a wrist attacker. Being short, the wrist is usually the closest and most available target. However, I have noticed that lately I am landing more intricate attacks, such as the temple and legs. Fighting in not only Kum Do/Kendo but also Chanbara has allowed me to develope a stronger sense of when a target "will be" available. I am more able to get in my opponent's sphere of influence, make my attack, exit and not be cut myself.

Thank you

I've always tended to favor wrist attacks as well, followed by the torso. Kendo will do that to you. I have noticed, however, that once an opponent gets used to that, their legs tend to become easy targets.

In offense as well as defense, zones tend to become favorites and that will create a zone which gets comparatively more neglect. Legs are a classic. So many more attacks go to the upper body that I sometimes wonder if free-sparring doesn't train us to become weaker at leg defense through lack of practice.

favorite target?
your head

HA HA HA! I would hate to hear that from you immediately before we spar. 0_0;;