Sparring/Rondori

[warrior-scholar]

My question concerns rondori type training more than true sparring. In sparring should we confine ourselves or allow grabs/takedowns etc. to teach proper distancing. Some tournaments allow these sort of attacks without taking it to the mat a la UFC/Pride. It's just so easy sometimes to trap the punches and kicks of new students...too tempting not to take them down. :p Unfortunately I have not purchased the Master of the Ring materials, so perhaps these questions are answered.

I also remember a recent Black Belt article for "reality-based" training in which one partner has a hood with a string placed over his head. The other partner or partners set up in attack mode around the hooded partner. The instructor pulls the hood off and gives him about a second to survey before allowing the others to attack. Is this crap or out of place for normal sparring practice? Sparring was never a large part of my training, so any help from my fellow Kenpoists is much appreciated.

[Theban_Legion]

I also remember a recent Black Belt article for "reality-based" training in which one partner has a hood with a string placed over his head. The other partner or partners set up in attack mode around the hooded partner. The instructor pulls the hood off and gives him about a second to survey before allowing the others to attack. Is this crap or out of place for normal sparring practice? Sparring was never a large part of my training, so any help from my fellow Kenpoists is much appreciated.

I recall watching a program about Delta/SF/Seal hand-to-hand training that contained something very similar to what you describe. The operative had a black bag placed over his head, and a random opponent was selected to stand directly in front of him. After a second or so the bag was removed and the operative had a very short amount of time to react.
Sometimes, immediately after the bag was removed, the random opponent would raise both arms (or some action equally aggressive) and shout, in arabic or english, "Where is the bar?" or, "What do you want?" Other times when the bag was removed the operative would immediately and aggressively be attacked.

This type of training strikes me as being incredibly valuable. You would learn to quickly read your opponent.

This drill could certainly be adapted to a "point style" of sparring. If you mistakenly attacked a non-combatant you lose points. If you take to long to ascertain a threat you lose points. Certainly training weapons could be thrown into the mix. The bag comes off and you see a man reaching behind his back; what will he pull out? His wallet or a glock (training fascimile of course)?

I don't know about anyone else, but I think this type of drill would be an awesome addition to any class.

[Maximus]

Most martial art schools train for tournaments rather than street combat. This limits targets as well as your weapons. We have always taught that you should use your full range of skills, but you need to have a systematic method of study. This was the purpose of "Master of the Ring." The title is actually a play on words and may be a bit misleading. It is essentially a complete guide to personal combat theory including training and application. This text covers theory and practical training drills designed to integrate the following into your personal fighting style (street or tournament):

1. Command and control methods
2. Grappling
3. Direct Attack drills
4. Indirect Attack drills
5. Combination Attack drills
6. Defensive Training drills
7. Pre-Emptive Counter-Attack drills
8. Combat Footwork drills
9. Launch Point drills
10. Controlling the fighting measure drills
11. Deceptive penetration drills
12. Counter-fighting drills
13. Group combat tactics
etc.

This book is over 400 pages so I can't list everything it contains, but this gives you the general idea.

As far at the bag over the head. I did not read the article so I can't comment on it; however, it sounds as though they are training for the "startled response". We trained this regularly with our students on Saturday sparring. Sometimes it was one against one, other times it was two or three against one. Kevin and I would give the students strategies for attack and goals to accomplish (such as a takedown, joint lock, disarm, etc). Training in this was is very important, but having a bag over your head doesn't exactly sound like "reality" to me. How often do you walk down the street with a bag over your head?

Just joking.

This does have value in its proper context.

[Maximus]

Great Information Theban Legion!
That gave everyone good information on the topic.

Thanks!

-Maximus

[Theban_Legion]

Great Information Theban Legion!
That gave everyone good information on the topic.

Thanks!

No problem! I'm more than glad to share whatever bits of trivia that I stumble upon. :)