Take It Outside

[Kamidake]

Here's something I've been thinking about. A dojo is a controlled environment. Right now, that's what I need; I am learning to walk, so to speak, and don't need any distractions. But we usually are not lucky enough to be attacked in a controlled environment. When I am ready, when I have my techniques pretty well memorized and don't have to stop to think about them, I am going to suggest to my class that we train outside, in our street clothes, for some period of time each week. It's an old military principle that you should train the way you'll fight. This seems to me to indicate that we should be in various climates, in the clothes we'll probably be wearing when we're attacked. This gives us an opportunity to learn thoroughly what we should do when it's pouring down rain and the mugger is slippery; when it's January and there's a heavy coat padding his ribs; when we're wearing high heels; that sort of thing. We would do it within reason, of course; obviously we can't be slamming one another into asphalt or concrete. But I do think we should get as much variety of circumstances as possible.

 

Does anyone else's class train like this, and, if so, what results have you had?

[sansoouser]

ya that would be a good idea, i think we should train like that, I train in San Soo. Sometimes we do do real situations in the streets but mostly in the dojo since people think there really is a prob

[Kamidake]

Another potential problem I can see is with the instructor's insurance company. Maybe the waiver you have to sign when you start class only applies to the dojo premises.

[Icetuete]

insurance always is a problem.

 

but sounds like a good idea to me.

[Tibby]

Our Studio, like many other building in this area, is a tin building. So in the summer time, we are training in an Oven in the Texas heat! Even with 2 box fans, we are burning up! And it is a great work-out, training in the heat. Just be sure to drink lots of water, before, during, and after class.

[Warp Spider]

The more realism the better, for sure, the only problem with a more realistic environment is that people are more likely to get hurt. Like you mentioned there's a good chance you will be fighting on a relatively hard surface. You would be wearing shoes which greatly changes the way you should kick. It also hurts a lot more. A shoeless shin kick or heel kick "hurts." Getting kicked with a shoe with a fair bit of force is likely to HURT. Imagine getting kicked in the face without shoes.. it's like a slap. With shoes.. you're wondering where you are for a few seconds. You can see how a person could easily be injured in a less controlled environment.

[Tibby]

The more realism the better, for sure, the only problem with a more realistic environment is that people are more likely to get hurt. Like you mentioned there's a good chance you will be fighting on a relatively hard surface. You would be wearing shoes which greatly changes the way you should kick. It also hurts a lot more. A shoeless shin kick or heel kick "hurts." Getting kicked with a shoe with a fair bit of force is likely to HURT. Imagine getting kicked in the face without shoes.. it's like a slap. With shoes.. you're wondering where you are for a few seconds.

 

A slap? How many times have you been kicked in the face? It depends on the shoes. If someone is wearing Running waffles, the cloth and rubber is going to be softer then bone and heel, if would hurt less then a heel to the jaw. If the person is kicking with steel toed boots, IT WOULD HURT! IF you are sparring outside, use a pair of good crosstraining shoes, I'd say.