Freestyle sparring

[EternalRage]

As far as accepting challenges goes, they were and are very common in Asia. Masters would go around challenging each other - not so much for ego or to see who's the best reasons - more to see if what they trained would work and also to learn from others. Challenges back then had less to do with flinging around testosterone - as long as its the same now (even if you're trying to teach some punk some manners - as long as you are humble about it) I don't see anything wrong with it.

For freestyle sparring, I really feel, especially for TKD, it depends on the purpose of training at the dojang. TKD has become a tremendously popular competition sport. If competition is all the school trains for and if it is all that the students want, why waste time sparring in a way that's not done in tournaments? It would create habits - that albeit would be good for more free fighting purposes - that would hamper tournament efficiency. If you are training for more fighting purposes, then training under WTF rules for example, would be pretty ridiculous considering the no head contact rule.

So it all comes down to what the school trains and how you want to train. If its sport, then train sport. If its not, then don't. If you want both, that's even better - my SBD instructor always says that if you are truly skilled, no matter what the rules, you can adapt with flowing versatility.

[niel0092]

There seems to be a bit of confusion on these boards as to what WTF sparring actually involves. Just as a simple clarification let me state that it is a continious point accumulation type of match similar to olympic boxing. Valid techniques score points, but the match doesn't stop when a point is scored.

Ok, with that cleared up (I'm sure most of you already knew what I just said) I actually would like to see the addition of several techniques to WTF sparring. I would add punching and backfists as well as sweeps and throws. Hand strikes can be made safer with the use of gloves and appropriate head gear and not detract from the essence of TKD. It is the korean way of Hand and foot fighting after all, not just foot fighting. Sweeps could be conducted the same way as in a San Shou fight. A point can be scored from a successful throw or sweep but the action is stopped and the combatants brought back to their feet to continue the match. This adds to the match without straying to far from the essence of TKD as a predominantly "stand up" art, IMO.

Thoughts? Opinions? General naysaying at my expense?

[tufrthanu]

I'm not sure anyone on this thread had any misconceptions about olympic sparring. As I have stated in their current forms both stop point and olympic sparring have major flaws. Even full contact kickboxing has flaws...no matter what any of them might tell you.

[niel0092]

Not on this thread no, but I've seen some misconceptions elsewhere and just wanted to clarify this for any that might not understand how it works.

As for the issue of flaws, I agree that each certainly has it's limitations. My suggestions were solely intended to address a few of the flaws in olympic TKD as I see them. They are only meant as a place to start and to add to the debate on this thread.

Anyway, that's my two cents I guess. Good luck with your training.

[Aodhan]

There seems to be a bit of confusion on these boards as to what WTF sparring actually involves. Just as a simple clarification let me state that it is a continious point accumulation type of match similar to olympic boxing. Valid techniques score points, but the match doesn't stop when a point is scored.

Ok, with that cleared up (I'm sure most of you already knew what I just said) I actually would like to see the addition of several techniques to WTF sparring. I would add punching and backfists as well as sweeps and throws. Hand strikes can be made safer with the use of gloves and appropriate head gear and not detract from the essence of TKD. It is the korean way of Hand and foot fighting after all, not just foot fighting. Sweeps could be conducted the same way as in a San Shou fight. A point can be scored from a successful throw or sweep but the action is stopped and the combatants brought back to their feet to continue the match. This adds to the match without straying to far from the essence of TKD as a predominantly "stand up" art, IMO.

Thoughts? Opinions? General naysaying at my expense?

IIRC, hands are not disallowed in WTF/Oly sparring, but to score a technique you have to demonstrate power (i.e. move them or dump them). That's hard to do with punches, and if you don't score with a punch, you are in close for a grab/sweep. I'd like to see it added (As I would in our style, we don't allow punches to the head, although we do to the body), as I think it would add an extra dimension.

Aodhan

[niel0092]

Whoops, what I meant to say was I'd allow hands to the head. It's too hard to score with a punch as the rules are now.

[Sam]

i agree with why the rules are in place... i would justsay that if you want to train in TKD oly style... go for it... just remember its not reallythat practical