Been having an interesting discussion on another board on this topic. Here are my thoughts:
Above is the video that was offered by the MMAist on the other board. My response was as follows:
I offered this in the SD area, I will repost the link here. It is three separate articles.
How to Spar for the Street: by Iain Abernethy
Quote:To begin, per the OP question, we're talking about a self-defense training methodology as opposed to a sport training methodology. As such I would suggest that sparring is less efficient than a scenario-based training methodology. Here are points to consider:
•Sparring normally requires a specific rule set and safety equipment. In other words, one person stands 'here' and the other stands 'there' and then they begin sparring i.e. attempting to hit/kick/grapple with one another. Sparring may be based upon points or takedowns. None of this is conducive to what is actually needed in a self-defense situation.
•I've never seen a 'sparring' session that allows for one opponent to attempt to verbally de-esculate the other. Nor have I seen a session allow/encourage improvised weapons, cover, concealment, escape & evasion or the use of barriers.
•The above is where a scenario-based training session shines. The 'trainee' of the scenario can go in 'cold' which represents a surprise situation (which is common since an attacker will chose a time/place that is advantageous to them and disadvantageous to you). It requires them to quickly evaluate the situation and determine a course of action, possibly while under duress and the affects of an adrenaline dump i.e. tunnel vision, auditory exclusion, loss of manual dexterity in the extremities, breathing control, starting from a position of disadvantage etc.
•Whereas a sparring session normally involves an artificial environment i.e. flat, dry surface in a well lit venue with a rule set, the scenario can be in any type of location or situation i.e. dim light, hallway, elevator, stairs, alley, sloping surface etc. This is more realistic and can be altered continuously.
•L.E. uses the scenario-based methodology for both weapons and Defensive Tactics with good results for a multitude of scenarios. It works well for lightly trained people all the way to highly trained professionals.
Above is the video that was offered by the MMAist on the other board. My response was as follows:
Quote:Okay, sparring as demonstrated in the video or in general. What are the good points? Well to begin, we have a training tool that allows you to use the basic skills that you have learned. That could include striking, kicking, grappling, locks and/or a combination of those things. So that is a good thing. Next, it allows you to use it against an opponent that is resisting your attempts to control the situation (for whatever the desired result). So that is also a good thing.
So sparring does have a couple of things going for it. Can we all agree on this point?
Now, here are, in my professional opinion, where sparring (as presented in the video and in general) is less than optimal for the purpose of self-defense and other methods are superior (for this specific purpose). To be clear, that should not be taken as a slap in the head for sparring. But if we're to have a frank, open conversation on the topic we need to look at the good as well as the bad (or ugly).
Using the video as a point of reference:
•They are in a controlled environment. Can we all agree that you are not likely to get attacked inside of a school as opposed to other venues? Can we all agree that you and your attacker aren't likely to be wearing safety equipment? Can we all agree that your attacker may not be standing in front of you in a starting position and waiting for you to also get into a starting position? Can we all agree that an attacker may not be abiding by the same rule set that you are using? Can we all agree that the terrain is likely not going to include a dry, level, flat, padded surface (and padded walls) in a well lit venue?
•There is no opportunity or attempt at verbalization i.e. opportunity to de-escalate the situation before it begins. Now not every situation will provide that luxury, but some will. And it needs to be addressed and trained for accordingly. Any fight that can be avoided is a fight that was won. Otherwise no one wins and everyone loses.
•The video demonstrates normal sparring i.e. you stand here and he stands there and you start boxing and dancing and looking for an opening. They go to a point, stop and then reset. This is fine for competition, but is not reflective of how a real fight progresses. There is no reset, break, tap out or time out.
•No opportunity is utilized to escape the situation or place a barrier between you and the attacker.
•No attempt is made to draw attention to the attack as it is happening. Attracting the attention of bystanders or the public in general is good for you and bad for the attacker(s) that don't want to be identified.
•The video demonstrates attempts to go for a submission. While that may be fine to calm down your drunk uncle at the family BBQ because you're trying not to hurt him, attempts to purposefully go the to ground in an actual attack is fool-hardy at best and detrimental to your life at the worst. In a real world altercation you NEED to assume weapons are present and multiple assailants are present until the attack is over. The video does not address either real world consideration at all.
•While the training demonstrated may suffice for an untrained attacker, I honestly don't like your chances against a determined (trained or not) attacker(s) who may be armed and/or under the influence of a drug.
•The video does not address taking the situation to a specific conclusion. This is paramount! As detailed by JKS, under duress you WILL react as you train. As I've said before many times, you will NOT rise to the occasion...you WILL sink to the level of your training. In short, how you train is how you will react under extreme duress. That can be a good or bad thing.
•The video does not address self defense applicable laws and legal uses-of-force. It is only you stand there, I'll stand here and let's start duking it out and then we'll stop, reset and do it again. That isn't real life.
Scenario based training addresses all of the real world concerns detailed above in ADDITION to the things sparring addresses i.e. full contact with and from a resisting attacker. So where sparring has a limited use for SD, scenario based training takes all that sparring offers and takes it up several notches to an entirely different level. Sparring is not the tool to address these other consideration. Thus whereas one needs to spar for competition, one does not need to spar for SD as their are other tools that incorporate what sparring has to offer and adds elements that sparring (as presented in the offered video link and in general) doesn't include.
I offered this in the SD area, I will repost the link here. It is three separate articles.
How to Spar for the Street: by Iain Abernethy
Two thousand years ago wise men sought Christ, wise men still do.
Techniques are situational, principles are universal.
Fast as the wind, quiet as the forest, aggressive as fire, and immovable as a mountain.
He who gets there first with the most...wins!
Minimal force may not be minimum force!
We don't rise to the occasion...we sink to the level of our training.
Techniques are situational, principles are universal.
Fast as the wind, quiet as the forest, aggressive as fire, and immovable as a mountain.
He who gets there first with the most...wins!
Minimal force may not be minimum force!
We don't rise to the occasion...we sink to the level of our training.