Should I do full-contact sparring?

[BlackMaskX]

Do you think that doing a lot of full-contact sparring is risky? I want to study a traditional martial art and learn how to fight and defend myself well. The problem is that many TMAs don't do full-contact sparring like boxing, muay thai, etc. do, but I don't see how people can expect to use their skills well, or at all, if they don't spar. Some traditional martial artists say that sparring is a bad idea because you will either get seriously injured or killed if you do full-contact sparring, or your techniques will become weak from having to restrain them during light-contact sparring.

My dilemma is this: Based on what I have seen and heard, it seems like full-contact sparring, mixed with some other methods, is the best way to learn to apply techniques in real life. But, I am concerned that doing a lot of full-contact sparring will cause permanent bodily damage. Temporary pain is one thing; it goes away, but I am worried about things like long-term damage to my knees, and especially, brain damage from taking blows to the head. In short,*do the risks of full-contact sparring outweigh the benefits*? I want to be able to still practice martial arts when I'm much older, and I've heard that many Thai boxers suffer from serious joint problems by the time they're forty or fifty. . .I'm not sure if that's true, but it's not a comforting thought. Is there a way around this problem (learning how to fight w/o full-contact sparring . . . I don't think it's possible), or will full-contact sparring likely cause these problems in the first place? Or am I going to have to choose between learning to fight well and suffering the consequences when I'm older (full-contact sparring), or not learning to fight or defend myself as well and not risking injury (no full-contact sparring)? I need experienced advice. Thank you.

[Kingston]

Theres plenty of protective gear out there. Im not sure how much it costs though.

[Szczepankiewicz]

Full contact full speed is the only way you're gonna know what works and what doesn't.

Two words: Safety First.

Lot's of safety gear out there.


The thing is, if you're training for self defense, once someone has a dominant position and gets in a couple of shots, you stop and reset. No point is holding someone down and beating the hell out of them. Not unless it's either one of my nemesis (MRPOOPY or Bri Thai) then feel free.


I have been sparring full contact 5 years (in July 03) without serious injury.

I'll post more on this later....

[ryanhall]

Like everybody said, unless you do full contact sparring or scenario work, you won't be able to do jack when the sh!t hits the fan. You can't learn to drive just by watching--you've gotta get behind the wheel and do it. I've sparred a bit, and I've got bloody noses, broken fingers, black eyes, a fractured wrist, and a whole lot of minor things that I never looked into. Last night, for instance, one of the guys I was training with got headbutted and had to have some stitches. That's just the way things go. If you want to make it work, you have to take the risk. Get protective gear, and you should be OK.

[Kingston]

Originally posted by ryanhall
Like everybody said, unless you do full contact sparring or scenario work, you won't be able to do jack when the sh!t hits the fan. You can't learn to drive just by watching--you've gotta get behind the wheel and do it. I've sparred a bit, and I've got bloody noses, broken fingers, black eyes, a fractured wrist, and a whole lot of minor things that I never looked into. Last night, for instance, one of the guys I was training with got headbutted and had to have some stitches. That's just the way things go. If you want to make it work, you have to take the risk. Get protective gear, and you should be OK.

sounds like you have alot of fun lol

[kungfupanda]

1drop the gear...2go bare knuckle...3increase striking power as needed.

[BlackMaskX]

You all seem to think that full-contact sparring with protective gear is the best way to go. What if I study a TMA that uses open-handed techniques, or more complicated hand techniques that you can't do very well with gloves on? How do you train to use those techniques?

Also, when I hit heavy bags, should I wear gloves? Some people have told me that not wearing gloves can cause knuckle damage. But other people have said that if I don't practice hitting with my bare fist, I will damage it if I hit someone for real. What do you recommend?

[kungfupanda]

did you read my post??? drop the freakin gear. and whatever you do dont hit the bag with gloves on. the bag is for conditioning...dont pamper yourself.

[ryanhall]

Bare knuckle and full contact? Are you insane or just joking?

[ryanhall]

What if I study a TMA that uses open-handed techniques, or more complicated hand techniques that you can't do very well with gloves on? How do you train to use those techniques?

Hitting open fisted is fine, but "complicated techniques" usually means "unworkable in real life." I kid you not. There's nothing wrong with hitting the heavy bag bareknuckle--just remember to tape your wrists most of the time.

Some people have told me that not wearing gloves can cause knuckle damage.

On a heavy bag? Not likely. You would be much more likely to fracture a wrist from improper punching mechanics or weak wrists.

But other people have said that if I don't practice hitting with my bare fist, I will damage it if I hit someone for real.

It takes MUCH more training to be able to punch w/out gloves and keep your hands the way they started before you hit your attacker. A solid punch to the head anywhere but the nose, jaw, temples, or chin almost certainly fracture--hell, it might even fracture if you do everything correctly. Some people have hands like bricks, and some people have hands meant for sewing. Hitting with the fist can be fine, just make sure you know the risks involved, and understand that unless you train punching w/out gloves consistently, you will probably not be able to do it properly. Before you ask, no, condidtioning the hand or fist is not a good idea for reducing the chance of injury. Hope I helped.

[Streetfighter]

full contact sparring is a good idea to incorporate into your martial art training. Its not going to sharpen your self-defense techniques like some people think. But it will sharpen your fight or flight state of mind, also it will help to get your punching and kicking timing right. BUT IT MOST DEFINATELY IS NOT A MEANS TO PREPARE YOUR SELF FOR A STREET FIGHT. Any good martial artist will tell you that. In a street fight you will use your destructive moves, such as the eye gouge, palm strike to the ears, kick to the knees, groin kick, and other deadly attacks. That will come instinctively if practiced with your daily routines. Full contact sparring is good, but its basically a game of tag. Does it help a little to sharpen your self-defense on the street? Yes, but not alot. Just make sure you were your pads...

If anyone would like to discuss this matter more email me.

[Kingston]

Dont those UFC gloves give some knuckle padding and also let you use your fingers? iv only seen pictures of them never tried one on so im not sure how much protection they would give.

That would get rid of your "using the fingers" problems.

[ryanhall]

They do allow your fingers to be free from the rest of the gloves. Digit gloves are also similar, and are preferable to classical boxing gloves if you want to work all ranges. Good to have both kinds though.

[jcolvin]

First of all I aggree with alot of the guys in saying that it should be done safely. This is a contact sport and if you never make contact how will you know how to react. The way Tim taught us to spar is that it is not the opportunity to take someone's head off, but to execute what you have learned in a non-competitive or lethal situation and to learn what works for you.

[darrianation]

FULL CONTACT IS THE ONLY WAY TO REALLY PUT ALL THE PARTS (TECHNIQUES) YOU'VE LEARNED TOGETHER. BUT THERE ARE OTHER THINGS TO DO TO. LIKE JUST SPARR USING HAND TECNIQUES, OR KICKS OR ETC. WHAT I LIKE DOING IS A SERIES
OF 2-3 MINUT ROUNDS WITH MY PARTNER WHERE I'LL CHOOSE WHAT TO DO THE FIRST ROUND, AND HE CHOOSES THE NEXT ROUND. THAT WAY IT'S FUN AND WE CAN WORK TECHNIQUE WE WANT TO WORK ON.
BUT WHAT EVER YOU DECIDE TO DO ALWAYS USE PROTECTIVE GEAR AND COMMON SENSE AND DONT LET THINGS GET OUT OF HAND.