The value of point sparing

[Kenpo man]

Wouldn't it be common sense to make the first hit?

The problem with getting the first puch in, is that if you throw the first punch, you just started the fight. Even if you both are standing there toe to toe getting ready to fight (Which rarely happens in a "Real" fight) you may get the first one in, but that in no way means that you win, or the fight is over.

While point sparring and regular sparring are good ways to practice, and get in shape, this in no way prepares you for the "mental" aspect of being in a "Street fight"!

Also, almost everyone has "Tells" when they go to throw something... Especially people who are trained in martial arts, as they tend to do the same thing the same way every time. Street fighters do not, and they are much more mentally capable of inflicting some serious physical damage on you, than you are on them.

You must be mentally and physically "Ruthless" to be a good street fighter! Martial arts does not teach you this! ... Street fighting does!

[Dark Shogun]

Ruthlessness.

This is very effective in a street fight. Point sparing will not teach this but MA will.

Point sparing is just an excerise. Also, a good point sparer will not telicast their movements very much although they do use a low vocabulary of techniques.