im just new here so i'll try not to push any buttons please forgive me if i say anything relatively offensive. in a few of the other topics i've read that many martial artists train for self defense and that their art is too devastating (or something along this line) to be used in competition. others simply cannot compete because their art does not permit them to do so (perhaps respect/tradition). now when i say compete i dont mean in "big competitions and tournaments". i simply mean a spar or something like it with a fellow classmate or friend. merely a way to test your skills/have fun. in regard to these martial arts that choose not to compete, i ask this - is this course of action actually a good thing???? the spar (as i like to call it) seems to have so much positive attributes, that it would seem almost foolish not to apply this in your training. for those classes that teach self defense and dont allow sparing, what happens to the students? if they dont get to feel the pressure of a free flowing fight in a controlled environment, then what happens to them on the streets? this also applies to the traditional martial arts that dont allow sparring. from my experience, sparring is the most exciting part of the class. the thrill, the rush and the excitment of the spar seems to only strengthen our brotherhood. i understand that many people dont do it for sporting reasons, but it would really be a shame if they didnt get to experience this. this is just my personal opinion of this issue, and i just want to know how you people feel about it. once again, please forgive me if i said anything relatively offensive
