Another thread about schools that do not have sparring seemed to generate a lot of responses where the posters all said very similar things but had different definitions of sparring.
So how do you, or your system define sparring? What is the goal of sparring in your opinion?
Daniel
1) How do I define sparring: Sparring can have many different interpretations. IMO, it is the drilling of a particular skillset. In BJJ, sparring can be defined as 'rolling' or drilling various techniques in an attempt to get a submission, ie: lock, choke, being able to transition from one position to the other, while under pressure. Standing, we are trading strikes and kicks with someone else, in an attempt to land those shots, either for points, or a KO, depending on the goal.
We could also isolate a specific area. Ex: You could drill, again, in a live setting, with pressure, a particular punch, combo, kick, etc. Depending on the goal, sparring can be geared to different things. ie: If you're preparing for a point sparring match, of course, after each clean shot, the match is stopped and a point is awarded. You could do continuous sparring. You could gear the sparring towards MMA.
IMO, just because someone spars or says that they spar, does not mean that they're doing it for competition.
2) What is the goal of sparring: This will vary from person to person, again, depending on what the goal or focus is. For myself, I steer away from the point sparring. I've done it for many years, but my focus has changed. My sparring today is more boxing/MMA oriented. Usually when I spar with my teacher or with workout partners, I usually have a goal or focus in mind. Sometimes we gear up and just go. If we're just working hands, it has the look of boxing to it. Of course, the contact is heavy.
Sometimes I'll focus on clinch work, entering in, where I can drill elbows, knees, ground work, etc. Again, the goal will vary from session to session. It gives the person doing it, a chance to test a specific thing, in a live setting, with resistance and movement.