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Single Stick Sparring
I have been doing a lot of experimenting with sparring lately. Using padded sticks, bare sticks with and with armor, limited gear and controlled with no armor at all. I am finding that I am moving towards a more of a minimalist attitude. Padded sticks and aprons are great for kids but for my adults less is more. We can spar with only helmets and hand protection and go with light contact without too much risk of injury. I enjoy sparring this way a lot.
One of the focusses I like to push is the use of the alive hand. We try to bind up our opponents weapon and try to get at least two full power (Body mechanics not impact) before they can recover. The other objective is to get a take down and land in the dominant position with at least two full power follow up strikes. Of course the disarm is also highly valued.
Another way I like to spar is with a boxing glove on my left hand, shin pads and boxing head gear. We use the sof stiks sparring sticks for this and allow punches, kicks and knees. This is a lot of fun and builds awareness of all our weapons not just our sticks.
I really enjoy sparring but in my opinion sparring is a drill and if it is done right it can really functionalize skills. If anyone else has favourite sparring methods that they would like to share I would sure like to hear from you I am open to any suggestions on how to spar to build better skill and better prepare myself and my students to survive violence and better use their FMA skills under pressure.
Joel Huncar
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Joel,
A variation of a glove and soft stick scenario u describe could be bag glove and stick, kenpo glove and stick so you can still grab with left hand plus u can add the head gear. This is stick boxing and for awhile in the 80's Guro Ted Lucaylucay's groups did a sportive version ot this he coined "Stick Boxing". Punches,kicks, elbows, head butts, and knees (control on knees since sport goal was to score more points not so much knockout the opponent). Plus locks, throws and submissions were allowed. This was an honest attempt at Soft Stick MMA/FMA. It never took off big time but had its day among a small group of practitioners.
Another variation is to spar with t-shirts and magic markers. Common among many systems. My late uncle Herson Ramos who taught me alot of single stick techniques taught me another variation. White t-shirt and pants, the 1/2 or 3/4 inch rattan, 27-30 inches is burnt at both tips to black. Then you spar and the goal is to put as many black dots on your partner's shirt and pants. Collateral hits to the hands/arms/feet are OK but accuracy is measured on how many dots or clear hits you can put on the clothing. But nowadays you can cheaply invest in Home Depot Goggles for safety & even some elbow/knee pads/gloves. In Cotabato and Iloilo, this was common back in the day. Yes bruises, welts, and breaks can occur but overall a little more contolled as compared to the "juego tod" or "death matches". Since most martial artists nowadays do it as an art form, an entertainment form, a leisure, and a pasttime: then why not play it safe like a drill. I agree with your point. Sparring as a drill can benefit both practitioners.
Another sparring drill I have used is round robin 30 second sparring. Both with sticks and empty hands. Sometimes all ranges and sometimes just all largo/long range only. This isolates the range and develops that long range skill. Probably easier to go long range for beginners. This way, everybody gets to spar with everyone in attendance.
Fun stuff any way you cut the gravy!
Peace and Happy Training,
Nate Defensor
Defensor Method Filipino-Indonesian Martial Arts
Filipino Kali-Eskrima Academy of Chicago
http://www.defensormethod.com
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Defensor Method
www.defensormethod.com
thanks Guro Nate,
I do remember the Ted Lucaylucay video. It is a great video.
I like your suggestions. The round robin is a lot of fun, we do this as well. Short rounds are nice too because no one builds up a lot of aggression.
Thanks for the advice
With respect
Joel huncar