full contact training bad for technique?

[Yasutsune Makoto]

In fact I do. For example the people who work in pit crews for race cars have it down correctly. They work so very fast because they practice extremely slowly. Almost painfully so. That way when the moment comes, they have speed and get the job done. Such is the way with Martial arts, I find.

We practice in no many ways: power and speed, no power and no speed, no power with speed, etc. After practice you have the movement down pat, the muscle memory, and the power to back it up. Then you move on to the heavy bag and get the proper feel for resistance.

As you can see, this in of itself is not a different philosophy or training methodology from full contact. It's simply the same training, just different application. In many respects a bag is going to have the same resistance a human body is going to have, especially if it's coming at you in a fight.

Full contact training is merely the reverse...training against a bag or human body with full speed and power. That is how they learn their techniques.

It is up to yourself to decide if one method is better than another, but I say that - just like in many respects in martial arts - it all boils down to the individual.

good points.

IMHO I think that the way a lot of schools increase contact as skill increases is the right way for the martial arts. However, being a Shotokan practitioner, our philosophy is that one correct hit will incapacitate the opponent. This style of training, to develop one hit, sudden death, develops a mentality where one should NEVER hit as hard as he or she can (life and death situations the exception). In my own experiences, I have dropped people with far less than full-power using proper technique, timing, placement, kime, etc.

Conclusion: Consistantly training full-contact at the expense of proper technique may mean that you aren't hitting with full potential power. While training all other aspects, and learning how to apply power when necessary, can actually make you hit harder, even without full-contact fighting. Provided that you train with impact on non-living items, otherwise you'll just hurt yourself when you try and hit something...but that's a different conversation

[cathal]

I also practice Shotokan and while we do train with that one-punch approach, we also know that one punch may not necessarily kill...but at least allow us the opportunity to remove ourselves from the dangerous situation.

[Yasutsune Makoto]

agreed, but that is the goal.

one punch, sudden incapacitation...doesn't have the same ring. Lol

[bushido_man96]

Maybe I am reading your "one punch" application incorrectly, but I feel that it is very important to apply combinations of at least 2 or 3 moves in self defense in order to be sure that the opponent is down and stays down.

I do agree that one should train the technique of each part of the combination as though it would drop them, but not be convinced that it will.

[Menjo]

Maybe I am reading your "one punch" application incorrectly, but I feel that it is very important to apply combinations of at least 2 or 3 moves in self defense in order to be sure that the opponent is down and stays down.

I do agree that one should train the technique of each part of the combination as though it would drop them, but not be convinced that it will.

Of course, this is on of the reasons why balance, hip rotation and such, are so important.

I believe that for someone to truly do damage, you must fully commit yourself. Then, once they are down, you have time to consider other factors.

Edited June 13, 2006 by Menjo

[Yasutsune Makoto]

Maybe I am reading your "one punch" application incorrectly, but I feel that it is very important to apply combinations of at least 2 or 3 moves in self defense in order to be sure that the opponent is down and stays down.

I do agree that one should train the technique of each part of the combination as though it would drop them, but not be convinced that it will.

What you bring up is the difference between training each technique, and training for fighting. When we train each technique on its own it is with the intent that it is all we need to end a fight, but a large portion of training is dedicated to combinations, timing, zanshin, and the other issues that are critical in being able to defend ourselves. In fighting it is extremely difficult to land a perfect punch, we understand that and practice accordingly.

("we" refers to all like minded martial artists)

[bushido_man96]

Maybe I am reading your "one punch" application incorrectly, but I feel that it is very important to apply combinations of at least 2 or 3 moves in self defense in order to be sure that the opponent is down and stays down.

I do agree that one should train the technique of each part of the combination as though it would drop them, but not be convinced that it will.

What you bring up is the difference between training each technique, and training for fighting. When we train each technique on its own it is with the intent that it is all we need to end a fight, but a large portion of training is dedicated to combinations, timing, zanshin, and the other issues that are critical in being able to defend ourselves. In fighting it is extremely difficult to land a perfect punch, we understand that and practice accordingly.

("we" refers to all like minded martial artists)

Ok, that clarifies things. I thought that was the direction you all were going, but wanted to make sure. I don't like to assume anything. Thank you.

[Yasutsune Makoto]

no problem

[RicksonFan]

If you don't add full contact sparring, you will never be good at using good technique when fighting full contact. It's different, you need to be ready.

[mmljpp]

no if you try a technique and it has no effect you know not to use it or your doing it wrong