Posted by: CTCDK
whats better? - 08/08/05 01:16 PM
Hi, ive been into competing since i was 7 and now im 14 but im just starting to understand sparring. ive been told im an extremely smart fighter. is that better than some who just goes out and throws kicks non stop and doesnt fatigue as easily?
Posted by: SANCHIN31
Re: whats better? - 08/08/05 02:53 PM
Yes. It is much better to use your brain than brawn in my opinion.
Posted by: Foundation
Re: whats better? - 08/08/05 04:29 PM
Well if you're not so good (I haven't seen you fighting and I don't judge people on how long they do an art, so I assume nothing) the going all out might have an advantage over the fighter thinks what to do. But if you get better the thinker will take over and on the long run the first one will bite the dust. That said I'd still prefer the latter in the first stage as well because they tend to learn faster.
Posted by: cannonfodder
Re: whats better? - 08/08/05 11:53 PM
both styles definately have their place, but there are far too many counter attacks to make constant flurries a good technique. from what i've been exposed to, the fighter that stops to think and control the fight is typically the winner.
Posted by: Ufaded
Re: whats better? - 08/09/05 01:25 AM
I think the ability to read your opponent (Im not sure if that's what you mean by thinking), is probably the best defense/offense you can have in sparring. If you can figure out how the other guy fights, then you can be the one who flurry kicks, or just wait and take your shots on him. I find that if I try to "think" as in "I should kick him with an axe kick, or I think I'll wait and back kick", then it never works out for me, I get clobbered while thinking or analyzing the situation. I've been practicing on how to read my opponent the past few months (what kicks he likes, does he have a pattern to his fakes, do his hands drop when he kicks, etc). I wouldn't really call it thinking though, just sort of observing. It has really improved my sparring. Anyways, I guess I'm saying just do what works for you and try new things. You will find your "way", as long as you are willing to experiment (being aggressive, or being a counter attacker, or switching it up, etc).
good luck
Posted by: Spin_Hook
Re: whats better? - 08/09/05 01:29 AM
As a martial artist...I would say that's probably much better. Being a smart fighter and waiting for opportunities and openings tends to get you home in one piece.
As a competitor trying to win tournaments. I'd still say be a smart fighter. But being aggressive definitely shows up on the scorecards of many judges...as it really should. I've fought more than one guy in competition who would step in..throw one or two kicks...and then basically run backwards out of the ring to try to avoid a counter attack.
Backpeddling the whole fight, in my opinion, shows a big lack of fighting spirit.
Posted by: GriffyGriff
Re: whats better? - 08/09/05 08:02 AM
This is an interesting topic.
Personally, I feel that it is intelligently (or subconsciously) knowing when and where to strike that is important.
I have seen many people who seem to have trained in delivering multiple "Blitz" type techniques, obviously without any true perception of reality.
By this I mean those who have not even heard of, let alone visited "What-If Land".
(What If my 1,2 or 3rd technique is blocked or Jammed?
What If the guy's circled away, instead of moving backwards?
What If this sequence of techniques are too slow or lack fluidity?
What If All these techniques are delivered without any forward movement? (all on the same spot).
etc).
There are also those who let fear and adrenalin get the better of them and just flail out willy-nilly, oblivious to their opponent.
(Only these guys are MORE of a challenge to fight with, as all of their moves and timings are irrational).
My point is very similar to the ones listed above.
It is not "thinking" in the common sense of the word, it is more of a lower level spatial knowing-feeling thing.
It can be practiced to a degree alone, but ultimately it is finely honed through synchronising with (and breaking), your opponents rhythm.
I see this is a separate topic from "whether it is best to attack or counter."
Posted by: Supremor
Re: whats better? - 08/09/05 08:51 AM
Thinking is very important CTCDK. At a higher level of competition it is imperative if you are to control the fight. This is as much to do with having a strategy to approach your opponent with as anything, but also includes things gained through experience- i.e. seeing an opening, using the right counter and judging distance.
I do not think these things take a great deal of "intelligence" to use. They can all be learned through experience of being in the ring. However, you will be far more effective at these things if you use your noggin in a fight!
Never skip on your basic training because of this. There is no point in being able to spot an opening if you cannot instantly hit it. The only way to do this is to practice your techniques A LOT, and to practice sparring against a whole range of opponents.
I'm reading the tao of jeet kune do at the moment, and it's interesting that although Bruce Lee stresses using intelligence while fighting, he also writes that true progress can only be made by the hard grind of practice.
Posted by: schanne
Re: whats better? - 08/10/05 11:15 AM
I think you already figured it out