Is Sparring Useful in the Martial Arts

To be able to swim, you have to get into the water and swim. Obviously you are not thrown in the deep end straight away, because you will drown, but gradually you work your way to deal with them types of waters. This is a very common saying, and I am sure you have heard it before. It is mentioned a lot in the martial arts world, when people talk about weather sparring is needed or not.

The argument of sparring being useful or not is never ending. Some think that there is no way of learning qualities like reflexes, distance, timing etc without it, and that sparring must be carried out each training session. Others think that it not needed to become an efficient fighter or to be able to defend yourself on the street. Some people believe that you need to spar so as to learn what it feels like to get hit, so if it happens in the street, it won’t shock you. Then there are some who think that sparring lures you into a method of fighting that is not practical for the street.

Personally I feel that sparring is very useful and should be carried out constantly. But there should be different types of sparring. Grappling only, striking only, both, two or more against one, full contact, semi contact, hands only, clinch fighting only, etc. There should be many types of sparring practised, rather than the standard one against one. Sparring where you concentrate on street techniques (strikes to vulnerable areas, trying to not engage in a ground fight etc) is an excellent type of sparring, and should be done by all martial artists, as the main reason why most practise martial arts to be able to defend themselves on the street.

By sparring, you don’t have to always hit hard. Controlling your techniques is probably the best way to learn the mechanics of fighting and by doing this, sparring can be very useful and can be practised by all, regardless of style.

Marks

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