I disagree with your comment about "getting in the ring", but overall agree completely with your sentiment.
Tournaments or Sparring does measure more than who is faster, it is who is more knowledgable, who moves better, or has more "ring savvy(sp?)", who has the better timing. The training partner who is bigger, stronger, or quicker, but who has less time in the Art, should be able to be defeated by the person who has more time AT the Art.
Yes, I do know better guys, but lets look at the ideal for a second. Why would any guy who is an adult below normal height and weight get in the Martial Arts. I am assuming it is to learn how to fight bigger opponents and not be a victim. Not that this is everyone's reason, but the hidden insecurities or fears are part of our psyche and an emotional imperative exists to survive, regardless of whether we are aware of it or not.
Test yourself with the Redman suit or FIST makes a good full body suit for training.
Nobody in their right mind should go out and look for fights. I hope this is a purely intellectual discussion and you don't really go out and "test" yourselves this way. It is an increadibly stupid thing to do. You never know when you will run into a gun or knife or slip and fall. If you want an adreniline rush, go jump out of a plane, don't go looking for fights then encourage others to. It is very irresponsible to put this up as a way of "proving" your Art.
Unless you are a bouncer in a bar, or peace officer, unless you compete in a contact sport, like boxing, Muay Thai, etc., you should not be engaging in fights, enless your life is being threatened. Your potential for doing permanent injury to someone goes up as your training continues. It is so easy to slip and really maim or damage someone, once you have spent years and years in some of the heavier contact arts, or more destructive styles.
Think before you post something that a 14 year old boy is going to go try. Geez.
-MB
Tournaments or Sparring does measure more than who is faster, it is who is more knowledgable, who moves better, or has more "ring savvy(sp?)", who has the better timing. The training partner who is bigger, stronger, or quicker, but who has less time in the Art, should be able to be defeated by the person who has more time AT the Art.
Yes, I do know better guys, but lets look at the ideal for a second. Why would any guy who is an adult below normal height and weight get in the Martial Arts. I am assuming it is to learn how to fight bigger opponents and not be a victim. Not that this is everyone's reason, but the hidden insecurities or fears are part of our psyche and an emotional imperative exists to survive, regardless of whether we are aware of it or not.
Test yourself with the Redman suit or FIST makes a good full body suit for training.
Nobody in their right mind should go out and look for fights. I hope this is a purely intellectual discussion and you don't really go out and "test" yourselves this way. It is an increadibly stupid thing to do. You never know when you will run into a gun or knife or slip and fall. If you want an adreniline rush, go jump out of a plane, don't go looking for fights then encourage others to. It is very irresponsible to put this up as a way of "proving" your Art.
Unless you are a bouncer in a bar, or peace officer, unless you compete in a contact sport, like boxing, Muay Thai, etc., you should not be engaging in fights, enless your life is being threatened. Your potential for doing permanent injury to someone goes up as your training continues. It is so easy to slip and really maim or damage someone, once you have spent years and years in some of the heavier contact arts, or more destructive styles.
Think before you post something that a 14 year old boy is going to go try. Geez.
-MB
