In our style we work up to full contact. A white belt, most of the time, can't handle full contact. So what we do is help them learn how to "Take a hit". The more advance students that have control will hit them softly at first and the target will say 'harder' or 'thats good'. When they say that's good the more advance students work on their control by trying to punch the target with that same amount of strength. After time and training the target learns how to take the hit and then they say harder. HTen when the puncher becomes the target and the target becomes the puncher then the newbie can go full out and work on strength while the more advance student takes the hits without any problems.

Karate hasn't become weaker in my opinion but it has had to adjust to our pro legal society in order to stay alive......although I think the children part of MA has been weakend.

As said before, i think it depends on the school. For instance, if you have a really young or old age group, the instructor will want you to hold back. But if the students are fit and strong enough to deal with punishment, I think the instructor will deal it out. Like in Krav Maga classes, at least where I train, sparring is not exactly full contact, but you don't have to hold back as much in my age group. But with the younger age groups, there is barely any contact.

I'd say leave it as it is. Let it be a glaring example of what NOT to do.



-John

Quote:

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Is martial arts becoming weak?

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I is be thinking that for a long time too! Me doesn't really know though.I just be training the bestest that I could been.

Depends on how one is using the term or thinking of it. If you are using Martial Arts in its entirety as a single concept enveloping all of Martial Arts-dom, then the poster is correct.

For instance, using "Sports" as an example when used to talk about competitive endeavors in general, you would have to use the word with a singular subject-verb agreement.

Sports is alive and well today.

Similarly, (depending upon use) Martial Arts is alive and well today.

-B

"I is be thinking that for a long time too! Me doesn't really know though.I just be training the bestest that I could been"

Brian, I have been in a foul mood all day today, (see becoming a doorman thread for details) but that really had me in stitches.
Cheers for that mate, I needed that.

You're welcome McSensei!


Brad,
You party pooper!