Freestyle sparring

[germandrache]

i have nothing aginst TKD sparring but i dont think you should use the same techniuqes in sparring that you use in a real fight. At my TKD class latley people have been coming by and challenging my master, he just does what he calls freestyle sparring with them, i did the same with a yonger kid that came by. I already knew that tkd sparring was not the same as a real fight. After i freestyle sparred another student in my class, all he did was round house kicks and i would catch his kicks and trip him onto the floor. My master also says back in Veitnam that is how they practice, by fighting. I think US dojos should do the same. What are your oppinions on the subject.

[Aodhan]

i have nothing aginst TKD sparring but i dont think you should use the same techniuqes in sparring that you use in a real fight. At my TKD class latley people have been coming by and challenging my master, he just does what he calls freestyle sparring with them, i did the same with a yonger kid that came by. I already knew that tkd sparring was not the same as a real fight. After i freestyle sparred another student in my class, all he did was round house kicks and i would catch his kicks and trip him onto the floor. My master also says back in Veitnam that is how they practice, by fighting. I think US dojos should do the same. What are your oppinions on the subject.

Personally, I think that accepting "challenges" from random people that walk in the the door is a bit childish. We have that on occasion, and we always decline, but let them know that if they really want to spar, they can sign up for classes.

Accepting challenges serves no purpose. If you win, nobody is impressed, because after all, you are the master. If you lose, then you lose respect from your students. Also, if you beat someone that holds a grudge, then they are liable to wait in the dark with a bat or worse. It's just a no win situation.

Aodhan

[germandrache]

umm that wasnt my question at all, i was asking if you think tkd schools should do freestyle sparring between students.

[Sam]

yes i do... but i have different opinions on TKD training from a lot of people...

if by freestyle u mean nhb full contact.... i think everyone who is trainign to defend them selves needs some experience of this [aodhan - do i seem to be saying this alot?!!?!?]

[tufrthanu]

I think Aodhan makes a good point about the challenge thing. As to the freestyle sparring, it probably wouldnt be a bad idea if you wanted to be a real hardcore fighter...but if you just want to learn how to defend yourself in a safe environment the rules are necessary. Usually if someone gets grabby with my legs I pound a real hard kick into his hands and forearms to keep them away from my legs. I don't personally like stop point or olympic style fighting as they both have major flaws as it comes to real defense. However you will probably find alot of TKD dojangs practice what I call continuous free sparring. Which is similar rules...medium contact, targetting but no hitting to the head with the hands, everything above the belt except for sweeps if you want to do those. But, you dont just stop when you land a hit you continue to spar.

[tsdtony]

i dotn what to say other in my studio wich is not tkd.we do contuios contct meaning as much powere as you want and we dsomnt stop untill the other person sayes i quest.I fell if you dont spart the same way you would defind your self your cheating yourself.My grandmaster alswes told us youll defind your self the way you train.wich means if you dont spar realisticly thean youll be more likly you fight like your in a sparring match.also i fully agree with your instructor sparring people who ask.I fell this show confedince and respect to the art.I have seen people challing the gm he lets theam know it a contact art thean if thay still want to he procedes to uses theam as punching bag.Only because he fills its disrespactfull to go into someone studio and challing theam.as for whats leagel in sparring in are class is everything but braking bones we can use sweeps and chokes joit locks.but we tend to be a bit rough for most people.IN ma matter of 3 weeks i busted my ear drum and broke my shin.all in sparring actully the schin i broke sparring during my testing.

[germandrache]

Aodhan, you said that accepting challenges is childish and if the master loses he loses respect from his students, and if he wins he should because he is the master. Well i think the master will lose respect from his students if he doesnt accept the challenge. Saying that just because he or she is the master they should win the fight is not true, there are alot of masters out there that suck at fighting. And there are also alot of non martial artist that are wonderful fighters.

[tufrthanu]

And of that group of masters that sucks at fighting there are many fine teachers that have produced devastating martial artists. Try not to focus so much on the "My sensei is tougher than your sensei" mentality. Most instructors will "escort" people from their school who are disruptive...no challenge necessary. And if the instructor is unable to do so...he has 30 students behind him waiting to help. All this without needing to accept a frivolous challenge to see whos tougher.

[Aodhan]

Aodhan, you said that accepting challenges is childish and if the master loses he loses respect from his students, and if he wins he should because he is the master. Well i think the master will lose respect from his students if he doesnt accept the challenge. Saying that just because he or she is the master they should win the fight is not true, there are alot of masters out there that suck at fighting. And there are also alot of non martial artist that are wonderful fighters.

That's just a difference of opinion, I guess. I have MUCH more regard for someone that has enough confidence and self esteem to not have to prove his abilities to every yahoo that walks through the door bragging.

But, hey, if it works for you, more power to you.

Aodhan

[germandrache]

you have a good point saying that self esteem comes into play. But people are differen, some feel the need to prove there abbilities.