sparring

[kyokushinphil]

not my cup of tea personally andym but each to their own

Phil

[andym]

Indeed, Phil.

[kyokushinphil]

Going back to the title of this thread do you actually spar and intensively train at your dojo?

[Aefibird]

Yes, we spar light, semi and full contact at my dojo. Each level of training has it's own benefits and drawbacks. By 'sparring' I don't just mean the bouncy-up-and-down sports karate kumite either, although that is done occasionally for the people who want to enter competitions of that sort.
Most of our sparring is realistic or is used as a device to train specific techniques and methods.

[random]

This could come across badly…but how far do we go in ‘encouraging’ students to get padded up and have a go. Or should we hope that as they progress through the different styles of kumite, and learn the safe environment it is done in that they are willing to have a go. Or should it be down to the individual to spar, as opposed to step kumite that is a part Kata, Kihon and Kumite.

[kyokushinphil]

ALL students should spar period.

Intensity levels are down to the individual and his instructor

[AngelaG]

I think in any MA there needs to be some level of confrontation, and I don't necessarily mean formal sparring. If someone has never been hit or even faced someone that wants to hit them then have they ever been tested? That doesn't mean that people have to get into a ring and specifically pound each other into submission, but even facing someone bigger, fater or more skilled than you in light kumite takes courage.

[Aefibird]

For some people just pairing up with someone else and trading a few light punches can be a big deal. Sparring, or other similar confrontational situations can be great for helping them gain confidence and to learn and try new techniques and ways.

[kyokushinphil]

exactly

[random]

The real crux of the problem would be how to bring out the best in someone, partnering them with someone of similar ability and temperament might end up with a bit of a stand off or clash, or putting them with someone of a higher grade and/or ability might help them improve and develop, as long as they are not too intimidated by the opponent. The other concern would be when do you introduce someone to sparing? How soon into the club, at what grade, that kind of thing? (sorry if this sounds a bit devil’s advocate, it isn’t intended to).

[Sionnagh]

For me, I'd introduce people to sparring right from the start. Not with jiyu kumite (free sparring) though, I'd start them with yakusoku kumite (pre-arranged). I don't see any point in throwing people straight into free sparring when they don't have any idea what they should be doing. Start off telling them what to do and how to do it and gradually expand their options until they're ready. This way I think they get eased into sparring and it's not quite so intimidating.


Mick

[kyokushinphil]

Sionnagh talks a lot of sense

[AngelaG]

Phil

Am I right that in kyokushin you pretty much spar hard right from the beginning? If you have a little time could you start a thread someone outling a little what kyokushin is about? I know it's not as widespread at the moment as several other karate styles.

[Sionnagh]

kyokushinphil said:

Sionnagh talks a lot of sense

I don't think anyone's ever said that before! I'll have to print this out and show people!

I know of some schools who just pitch people in at the deep end and let them fend for themselves and others who don't let their students do any sort of sparring until the middle kyu grades. While this often means those students have better range of combinations and techniques they lack the experience that students who start earlier seem to have. It just seems to me that starting off with some form of limited sparring eases them into it and gets them some experience along the way - a sort of happy medium.


Mick

[Aefibird]

Mick, I agree with Phil - you DO talk a lot of sense! That's a good post and a great point you made.