Thoughts on Sparring?

[Adonis]

At times I like it and other times I don't.

Over all it teaches, the distance, timming, reactiona nd recovery time, from getting hit and to react back to your opponent before they get the best of you. Which is important especially if the sucker punch comes. Learning to get hit and reacing with speed even if its throwing a few jabs out to keep the opponent from coming into you again that way you can recover and react back.

[A_Train]

I like it very much, I just wish I was better at it!

[longarm25]

we dont point spar ,but we do fight using a fist suit

[Sensei Rick]

When I first saw many things in karate I couldn’t see the benefit. Sparing may seem like that. I now have black belts that challenge me with their skill. I have a friend or two in my dojo that we trust each other enough to really go at it. We punch for a second or two then some gets slammed on the ground. Next thing ya know we are trying joint locks and arm bars and even finger locks. (I bet I can break any hold with those digit destroyers now) We push each other hard and punch each other with full force. Afterwards we laugh and hug and let each other know we okay. It’s good to be able to do this so that my confidence is high. I now know that I train so I don’t have to fight. Mr. Miyagi was right about that. None of this would be possible if I hadn’t spent many years doing wimpy point type sparring at a wimpy school. You will one day look back on it and see the point…. I promise.

[Ippiki_Ookami]

I love sparring. I enjoy the freedom to choose your techniques. It also improves reaction speed and you get to see which of your techniques work against a real, resisting opponent and whoch don't. Unfortunately we don't do much free sparring at our club.

[lordtariel]

Sparring in the dojo: Love it

Sparring in tournament: Hate it.

Some people get so serious during tournaments, some people panic and just windmill with very little form. Sparring in the dojo is much more relaxed. By relaxed I don't mean necessarily easier, it's just that people's thoughts aren't wrapped up so much in winning so they can end up being harder to fight. Sparring is a good exercise because it gets you used to somebody trying to hit you. It makes you less afraid to stand your ground and teaches you not to flinch.

[Takusankage Soke]

I don't feel as though sparring is that essential to success in the martial arts. Kumite occasionaly can help aquire the feel of a real combat scenario, but other than that sparring is only for sport.