MODERN ARNIS REMY P. PRESAS INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION

Like to start a discussion on Sparring.
Does your school or club spar with gear, if so what kind?
Does your school spar with no gear? Or little protection?
Do you allow ground fighting as part of the sparring?
Do you follow wekaf or some other Rules for competition?
Some have said that sparring with gear teaches bad habits like exposeing youself to hits that you would never take for real!
By controlling your strikes with no gear, you demonstrate control with speed and power!
We start by training the twelve striking points with block, check, counter in sequence then out of sequence. Then go into give and take with the same out of sequence. Then we add Basic Tapi-Tapi releases and punyo strikes and rolls. Then we blend into the stick trapping and locking. Then we add takedowns and ground control.
It is easy to "Caveman" with protective gear on and you do end up taking shots that you wouldn't normally! At least from our experience, but it is still fun!
But, as long as control and technique are stressed we train with all aspects mentioned above. Any comments or insights would be helpful to us.
Thanks, SMAC.

We are not currently sparring in the typical sense as a new crop of students are coming up. We do however, once the standard six count type drill is learned after 6 months we go into freeflow sumbrada on the 7th count. In addition we work single vs double stick free flo and double stick free flow. In the past, we used a padded stick, helmet and glove for sparring. At present, we are waiting to get the money up to purchase these items. With Datu Worden at some of the early Marpio seminars about 3 years back, we did spar with the same light equipt and live hand punching (75% power) and takedowns were used only on pre-match agreements. (for the young puppies)! Lots of fun! I don't see much sense in the fully padded type sparring and I feel that before sparring the student should get used to some live stick free flow sumbrada in order to sharpen his reflexes. We also train with slightly shorter sticks (24" It really speeds up the stick play. Even with the padded stick and minimal gear it is safe, But you definately know you have been hit.

Chris A

Thanks Guro Chris for your insight. We use the flow drills, Six count and Eight count drills (sumbradas) and padded sticks for new students to get them a feel for movement in sparring. Especially the cooridination of stick movement and footwork.
Most can swing the stick well and move the feet well but together is the challenge. I agree with your use of helmet, gloves and padded stick. Keep it simple and less gear is best.
When we do live stick, we promote (obviously) control, but you can really see a difference in the action and technique. I always have fun sparring and so does the rest of the club.
Thanks again for your input.
Ben.