Terminology Definitions: "Sparring"

**losttrak** · Posted On: 2/02/2006 2:40pm

In another post (see below), several individuals had come to the conclusion that we should set some hard definitions for martial arts terms to provide clarity and concrete jargon when discussing certain things on the boards. Ideally, we could create a Bullshido Lexicon or at least a Terminology Index.

Phrost put forth our first word to define: sparring

How do we (the members of Bullshido) wish to define it?

Previous post: http://www.bullshido.net/forums/show...t=31093&page=6

**I put this under the techniques forum, since defining and labeling techniques is key to the sharing of information. Seems relevant to me.**

**Lights Out** · Posted On: 2/02/2006 2:50pm

Sparring: A training protocol in martial arts and combat sports which consist in the actual and no predetermined exchange of blows and/or application of grappling techniques under a determined ruleset with a variable level of contact and with the intent of succed in said application. It´s purpose is to test and develop fighting skills in a no-compliant environment.

I re-post my little grain of sand.

**Phrost** · Posted On: 2/02/2006 2:51pm

We should probably have threads for each subject. We'll use this as the Sparring thread. I'll move it to Bullshido since this falls perfectly within the site's mandate and that's our showcase forum.

**losttrak** · Posted On: 2/02/2006 2:53pm

Lol, I never get the right forum. Thanks.

**Lights Out** · Posted On: 2/02/2006 2:57pm

Originally Posted by Phrost

We should probably have threads for each subject. We'll use this as the Sparring thread. I'll move it to Bullshido since this falls perfectly within the site's mandate and that's our showcase forum.

Aye, but once we come to an agreement maybe it would be good to make a glossary and sticky it.

**FictionPimp** · Posted On: 2/02/2006 2:58pm

Originally Posted by Lights Out

Sparring: A training protocol in martial arts and combat sports which consist in the actual and no predetermined exchange of blows and/or application of grappling techniques under a determined ruleset with a variable level of contact and with the intent of succed in said application. It´s purpose is to test and develop fighting skills in a no-compliant environment.

I re-post my little grain of sand.

The only change I would make is that I always think of sparing as friendly. Where as I think of competition as serious. There are some things I dont do as often when I feel friendly vs when I just want to win. Such as put myself in a bad position to try to get out of it, or not taking some throws because I want to help the other person learn and not just toss them like a rag doll.

**Lights Out** · Posted On: 2/02/2006 3:05pm

Originally Posted by FictionPimp

The only change I would make is that I always think of sparing as friendly. Where as I think of competition as serious.

Correct, I missed that. The "with the intent to succed" may be misleading without that. By that I was trying to express that in sparring you´re trying to succesfully apply said techniques as opposed to certain drills in whihc one of the participants is supposed to win and the other to lose.

Originally Posted by FictionPimp

There are some things I dont do as often when I feel friendly vs when I just want to win. Such as put myself in a bad position to try to get out of it, or not taking some throws because I want to help the other person learn and not just toss them like a rag doll.

Well, I was hoping that would be clear in the "Its purpose is to test and develop fighting skills in a no-compliant environment.". (My, oh, my, such a big grammar mistake I made and have just realized).

Anyway I was trying to give a base definition, something to work with, and by no means, a definitive definition.

**Aesopian** · Posted On: 2/02/2006 3:07pm

What if neither side is going really hard?

What if you're not rolling for submission?

What if it is full resistance but an isolated position?

What if I'm rolling for transition, not even trying to stop and hold a position?

What if I'm going light and letting them go hard?

Are these still sparring?

**Southpaw** · Posted On: 2/02/2006 3:21pm

Sparring: Simulated fighting for practice.

Applies to both martial and verbal.

**meng_mao** · Posted On: 2/02/2006 3:26pm

Originally Posted by Aesopian

What if neither side is going really hard?

What if you're not rolling for submission?

What if it is full resistance but an isolated position?

What if I'm rolling for transition, not even trying to stop and hold a position?

What if I'm going light and letting them go hard?

Are these still sparring?

The fact that you used rolling several times suggests that there might be two extremes that get mapped to the terms sparring and rolling, where people might imagine sparring to be two people striking, and rolling is two people grappling on the ground.