Touch'O'Death said:
Preservation of the art is not frowned upon. If you attempt to gain fighting ability from composing such a form, you might be barking up the wrong tree; however, I don't think the study of Hammer, Thrust, and Whip, was developed to negate forms.(I'm defending forms on another thread)
Sean
Collecting for the only purpose of being a collector is a waste.
When you learn a form, you're supposed to use it as a tool to elevate other skills, basics, etc. Doing a form is not just for doing a form.
Forms are an exercise for practicing other skills.
So when I do Long 2, for instance, I'm paying careful Attention to one specific thing I want to work on; My stances throughout. Or my breathing. Or being relaxed. Etc.
I don't think of increasing fighting ability when I make forms, but I think they can help, actually.
Of course, one could say - Forms are an expression of your basic skills. So if your forms are crap, so might b your basics (or your ability to link together techniques in the air without a partner.)
And you could say that practicing forms over and over increases your level of fitness, coordination, and basics.
So if 2 martial artists were alike, except one practiced forms for 20 years and the other did not, I would say the former artist had better skill.
It's all a matter of repetition, you know.
Honestly, I've seen all 3 sides of this argument, people pro or against forms, and those who like both. They boil down to this -
1. MA good at sparring but suck at forms.
2. MA good at forms but suck at fighting.
3. MA great at both.
Frankly, MA who bad mouth either format are only doing so because they aren't any good at one of them. It's either testosterone-driven egotism and/or sour grapes.
One more time:
FORMs are expressions of your BASIC SKILLS.
FREESTYLE (sparring) is an expression of your skill to use basics EXTEMPORANEOUSLY.
A well-rounded MA can do both.
Any of this being talked about in your other thread?
