Sparring
Sparring is a form of
Differences between styles
The physical nature of sparring naturally varies with the nature of the
The organization of sparring matches also varies; if the participants know each other well and are friendly, it may be sufficient for them to simply play, without rules, referee, or timer. If the sparring is between strangers, there is some emotional tension, or if the sparring is being evaluated, it may be appropriate to introduce formal rules and have an experienced martial artist supervise or referee the match.
In some schools, permission to begin sparring is granted upon entry. The rationale for this decision is that students must learn how to deal with a fast, powerful, and determined attacker. In other schools, students may be required to wait a few months, for safety reasons,[1] because they must first build the skills they would ideally employ in their sparring practice.
Sparring is normally distinct from fights in competition, the goal of sparring normally being the education of the participants.
Use and sport
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The educational role of sparring is a matter of some debate. In any sparring match, precautions of some sort must be taken to protect the participants. These may include wearing protective gear, declaring certain techniques and targets off-limits, playing slowly or at a fixed speed, forbidding certain kinds of trickery, or one of many other possibilities. These precautions have the potential to change the nature of the skill that is being learned. For example, if one were to always spar with heavily padded gloves, one might come to rely on techniques that risk breaking bones in one's hand. Many schools recognize this problem but value sparring nonetheless because it forces the student to improvise, to think under pressure, and to keep their emotions under control.
The level of contact is also debated, lighter contact may lead to less injuries but hard contact may better prepare individuals for competition or
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu sparring is full contact and injuries are rare[citation needed] as it does not involve striking but rather forcing the opponent to submit using grappling techniques.
MMA
There is much controversy in mixed martial arts about the benefits of full contact sparring vs career threatening injuries. Former Ultimate Fighting Championship fighter Jamie Varner came to an early retirement because he had much head trauma in full contact sparring.[2]
UFC former welterweight champions Robbie Lawler and Johny Hendricks don't do full contact sparring.[3]
Names and types
This section needs additional citations for verification. (March 2012) |
Sparring has different names and different forms in various schools. Some schools prefer not to call it sparring, as they feel it differs in kind from what is normally called sparring.
- In Western historical fencing, the combat is called in English "free play," "sparring," the "assault," or simply "fencing," depending on the form of fencing studied.
- In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsusparring is commonly called rolling.
- In roda).
- In chi sao.
- In many Japanese martial arts, a grappling-type sparring activity is usually called randori.
- In judo, this is essentially one-on-one sparring.
- In most forms of aikido, it is a formalized form of sparring where one aikidoka defends against many attackers.
- In karate, sparring is called kumite (組手),[4] see also randori.
- In kūdō, it is called sparring
- In World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) or matsogi by the International Taekwon-Do Federation(ITF).
- In the WTF, the majority of the attacks executed are kickingtechniques, whereas the ITF encourages the use of both hands and feet. The ITF does not always spar with head guards, but it is known to occur in some organizations practicing this form.
- In the WTF, the majority of the attacks executed are
- In silat, the act of sparring may either be referred to as berpencak or bersilat. Another form of competition is silat pulut in which the practitioners take turns reversing each other's moves.
- In the Indian martial art, Shastarvidya, sparring is done in the form of martial games called Sonchi. The level changes from indicating strikes, to touches and in advanced level, landing full contact blows. However, caution is always maintained in order to avoid any kind of injury or trauma.
See also
- Aliveness (martial arts)
References
- ^ "Why Are White Belt Fighters So Dangerous?". 8 October 2010.
- ^ Hauser, Steve (24 March 2015). "Former UFC fighter Jamie Varner warns young fighters: Too much sparring can lead to early retirement". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved 10 August 2017.
- ^ Ryder, Matthew (16 March 2014). "Johny Hendricks vs. Robbie Lawler: How Safe Sparring May Change Contact Sports". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 10 August 2017.
- Black Belt magazine. pp. 28–34, 91.