Sparring - Part 2

Although we consider sparring a sports-based training paradigm, it does offer several benefits to self-defense training if approached correctly. New students don't start at fast/hard at sparring, they start slower/softer and work their way up. Here is a quote from Adam Williss on how we go about sparring at The Dragon Institute...

"In my teachings, I believe that you shouldn't pull punches when you spar. It creates bad habits. I teach that you must feel the action of hitting and getting hit. Our definition of a hit is making sure you are moving the mass of the other person, or stopping the mass if they are moving forward. This includes to the body and to the head. We do this as realistically as possible (bare-knuckle and no headgear, only mouth guards and cups for protection and chest protectors for women). Although exceptions are made periodically, we feel that padded gloves and head gear change the reality of sparring too much for us to have a regular place in self-defense training."

- Adam Williss

Sifu Adam Williss is the founder of Dragon Family Wing Chun and Program Director at The Dragon Institute. He was a 2010 inductee into the US Martial Arts Hall of Fame. 

© The Dragon Institute | Orange County | Wing Chun Kung Fu | 34241 Pacific Coast Highway | Dana Point, CA 92673 | ocwingchun.com

Tweet

Although we consider sparring a sports-based training paradigm, it does offer several benefits to self-defense training if approached correctly. New students don't start at fast/hard at sparring, they start slower/softer and work their way up. Here is a quote from Adam Williss on how we go about sparring at The Dragon Institute... "In my teachings, I believe that you shouldn't pull punches when you spar. It creates bad habits. I teach that you must feel the action of hitting and getting hit. Our definition of a hit is making sure you are moving the mass of the other person, or stopping the mass if they are moving forward. This includes to the body and to the head. We do this as realistically as possible (bare-knuckle and no headgear, only mouth guards and cups for protection and chest protectors for women). Although exceptions are made periodically, we feel that padded gloves and head gear change the reality of sparring too much for us to have a regular place in self-defense training." - Adam Williss Sifu Adam Williss is the founder of Dragon Family Wing Chun and Program Director at The Dragon Institute. He was a 2010 inductee into the US Martial Arts Hall of Fame.  © The Dragon Institute | Orange County | Wing Chun Kung Fu | 34241 Pacific Coast Highway | Dana Point, CA 92673 | ocwingchun.com