tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1827293309574913027.post4470454237033642842..comments2023-03-30T00:52:50.594-07:00Comments on Sword and Circle: Acknowledging HitsMaijahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18264657619197571965noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1827293309574913027.post-22630387840735817042013-01-18T13:36:37.440-08:002013-01-18T13:36:37.440-08:00Thanks for the comment Elrik.
I think one of the m...Thanks for the comment Elrik.<br />I think one of the misconceptions about Random Flow training is that it IS sparring .... I see Flow as a format for exploration, so safety is implied as it is most often your ego getting the beating, more than your body :-)<br />I remember Sonny talking about training as a kid in the PI and doing it the old school way of getting hit until you found a way to avoid it.<br />I think he probably started teaching that way in the States too, but came to realize that people would either stop coming, or that the pain itself was building in flinch responses that were counter productive to gaining skills.<br /><br />Flow can segue pretty easily into sparring depending on who you are flowing with and how the mood is that day. I personally think that both people should be playing at the edge of their skills and comfort zone on a regular basis, and this ability to calibrate is a hugely important skill for improving one's 'expression' and 'HATA' skills. <br />Also, you gotta put the speed and the intent into the play every so often, even if you restrain the power a little, to see how it changes the game.<br />Everything I learn should work against someone that does NOT want it to work on them, after all ....:-)<br />And yes, thoroughly agree with videoing progress, you learn so much from watching yourself, stuff you would not believe by just being told it.<br />And as far as not getting hit ... I can't remember when evasion was NOT part of the focus for the day .... like Sonny would say 'that's where the Art is' ...Maijahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18264657619197571965noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1827293309574913027.post-33508701500753674892013-01-17T21:49:44.252-08:002013-01-17T21:49:44.252-08:00Given that we are writing about weapons sparing sa...Given that we are writing about weapons sparing safety is a key issue. Thus there are always safety rules (assumed or directly stated). I would ask what are the unspoken/spoken guidelines for keeping "random flow" safe?<br /><br />In Escrima Serrada "Flow Sparing" aka "Counter for Counter' the "basic rules" are 1)Hits are only directed to the head, torso or legs. 2) Attack and defense are separate so a give and take can follow 3) Range (using the dog brother terminology of 7 ranges) Medio hits (see rule 1). <br /><br />As one get's better and more proficient with the basics then they can move to other ranges, targets, changing the give and take, etc - at that point that would be considered Advance sparing concepts for Counter to Counter. But the focus is still on flowing and in developing both practitioners. This is one form of the formal, fun play I think you were alluding to.<br /><br />In sparing, which I didn't really start to explore until 10 years into FMA - the focus (at least from the individual practitioners view point can be limited to developing their skill set alone). Rules/Agreements, safety equipment plus a Ref/intermediary/first aid expert allowed me to let go and open up in new ways. Especially when I am not overly worried/focused on keeping my training partner safe etc. Also I think in this day and age it's a waste of sparing time to not video tape and review fights. There is so much to learn and very quickly I might add.<br /><br />Also at least to my experiences Corto is the only system that has a "Flow" that engages ranges and footwork so dynamically. At this point DBMA at least has drills that develop skills for movement and crossing ranges. But at least on the public tapes they are not yet exploring "Random Flow" like Sonny's students. <br /><br />When I started to spare I luckily had access to a number of folks who were both "damn" good competitors in various rules of FMA sport fighting but who also looked at how those "sport" techniques related to "real world" FMA. One thing I realized was that different rules and equipment changed interactions and "obviously" led to developing differing skill sets and attributes. There are traditionally many rules sets for sparing - various kinds of "safe" free sparing was more common that "death matches".<br /><br />Another big eye opener for me was seeing how those students who had chosen to put more time into Corto Cadena advanced much faster in various sparing games (where there was painful incentive to not get hit). Non-blade oriented fighters are more likely to not care about putting their focus on counting or even noticing when they get hit. Where as I almost always tried to treat the weapon as a blade and was keenly aware of if and when I got hit.Elrik Jundishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17597943817870413928noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1827293309574913027.post-38983110943939887622012-11-07T16:55:11.408-08:002012-11-07T16:55:11.408-08:00Interesting stuff. I haven't read the discussi...Interesting stuff. I haven't read the discussion, but the issue reminds me of one that pops up in Muay Thai as well. We do a lot of light, play sparring, and I find myself reminding students not to develop tactics based on the fact that we are going light. That leg kick may not have hurt now, but it might really hurt if the other guy tries to put it on you.<br /><br />(This used to come up occasionally when I did Uechi-ryu as well,but that was usually in the form of "in a real fight, that punch would have done X." Which was often bullshit.<br /><br />This is one of the great advantages of grappling. If you throw someone, it's pretty clear.<br /><br />In Muay Thai, the reason for the engagement is a lot clearer/easier. If you're in the ring, you ought to want to engage. Yes, it's a monkey dance, but you agreed to the dance, so go do it. <br /><br />Not the same level of risk as with a sword, of course.<br /><br />I guess I find it gratifying to know this problem exists in other places.Jakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11379685641338041168noreply@blogger.com