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In the weapons sparring arena we see 2 main types of sparring for points for the win. There is point sparring, where the fight is stopped everytime there is a touch or some type of hit that scores, and then fighters are reset. Then there is continuous sparring, where the fight goes for a set length of time and the fighters go at it uninterupped and judges keep track of scoring hits and also affective defensive techniques.
Neither of these types are perfect and hold pros and cons.
Also there is a reason, or philosophy why one would use one or the other in a compition.
In western fencing, the SCA, and the Cold Steel Challange there is the adherence to more of the point type system.
In Eskrima you will see both, where in Dog Bros you will usually see continuous sparring.
Ones tactics and strategies will be differnet for either.
Though we have been doing this for years, is there a better way thats do-able? Can we modify, hybridize, or embellish these rules so sport can more imitate combat?
Neither of these types are perfect and hold pros and cons.
Also there is a reason, or philosophy why one would use one or the other in a compition.
In western fencing, the SCA, and the Cold Steel Challange there is the adherence to more of the point type system.
In Eskrima you will see both, where in Dog Bros you will usually see continuous sparring.
Ones tactics and strategies will be differnet for either.
Though we have been doing this for years, is there a better way thats do-able? Can we modify, hybridize, or embellish these rules so sport can more imitate combat?
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California
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Re: Point sparring vs. Continuous sparring
Wed, July 26, 2006 - 8:18 PMWhat about "reverse engineering" this thing? Knives and other bladed weapons are a whole other story. Knives I favor (though I have some sword training as well), but the problems are in greater number, so let's stick to er... sticks.
I'm first concerned with available tools, improvised weapons. Knives are most practical for carry, more legally defensible (in some contexts) than other weapons. So, to the stick and reverse engineering... what would be the drawbacks of continuous sparring as opposed to point with stick? I favor continuous for both (he said, tipping his hand). Would also point out (as I'm SPAMming a couple groups with this idea) that I'm not thinking of stick in a simulated situation as the stand-in for a bladed weapon- I'm thinking the stick is the tool. -
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Re: Point sparring vs. Continuous sparring
Thu, July 27, 2006 - 12:07 AMAs far as training goes, in the Bahala Na System we generally train as if it is a blade. The philosophy here is, if you train muscle memory to turn the wrist and hand to point the blade tward your strikes, you can fight with both stick AND blade. If you only train as if you have a round blunt stick, ones muscle memory may not be initiated properly for cutting if a fast and messy skermish ensues. Also traing for blade work changes how brave you are with your check hand as darts in and out of the fray. Ive seen stick heavy techniques in the Doce Pares system, and alot of their strikes although scary and extreamly hard to defend against, play as if its not a blade but a stick, using a lot of rap hits and abanikos. Try using a machete for executing abanikos and you may find your self slapping your opponent more than slashing him.
As for using sticks, I also favor continuous sparring. But the drawback (and this is mainly up to the players) is that it is easy to fall into the "hit as fast as you can for as long as you can" strategy. I dont like knocking other systems, and I have met very skilled Doce Pares players, but many others i hve sparred have lacked a sufficient defense, depending on there affective striking style. Some judges will even have those little hand held clicker counter thingys to count up all the hundreds of hits and the player wail on each other for 3 minutes at a time just to keep track. Dont you think blocking and parrying with repostes is better than "you hit me 90 times, but I hit you 97 times so I win"?
So again I love continuous, but it breaks my heart to see 2 guys in a furious 1&2 combo. speed match, its sort of, well, dumb. I do like to see players respect the stick more, as if you were wearing no armor (armor, yet another can of worms to open).
I had an insturctor do a little exercise in "respect the weapon", and had us spar with our padded weapons but with do protective gear except eye protection. Whoe, did our strategies change! A swift wack to the ear, nose, or even your hand is no lauging matter now.
Though a good lesson to try, this isnt something you and your traing partners could do lots of (or mabey you can if you want) because the more you play the more you will get injured since it basicly happens every time.
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