I'm inclined to agree with lkfmdc for the most part here
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Kellen Bassette
(minus whatever minor, necessary adjustments are made for the gear, rules, ring,)
However, I wouldn't consider gear, rules and ring minor. The improvement in sparring gear has allowed us to do a lot more than before with a greater degree of safety. Also advances in medicine are a major factor - just imagine what most of the pro MMA fighters might look like using pre-WWI medical methods. The rules are incredibly important and something that a lot of armchair martial artists totally overlook. These define the sport and any athlete or coach worth their salt knows how to play into them. And of course, the ring is a huge factor. Even Sunzi talked about the terrain. It's a completely different environment when dealing with a leitai vs. a cage vs. ropes & turnbuckles. But all that being said, fighting probably hasn't changed that much as human bodies haven't changed that much (we'll overlook performance enhancers by filing that in with medical advancements ;)), so the core is the same, just the terms might have changed.
Some people just aren't competitors
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Kellen Bassette
I down played it because of the people who claim they cannot test their deadliez skillz in a sport format. I think that attitude is a cop out.
There is a place for those who don't compete in contemporary martial arts. For example, I am a big supporter of Tai Chi as therapy and for the elderly. My mom takes it and she's never going to compete, never going to use it in a fight, but it keeps her healthy and happy and that's just fantastic. So competition isn't the 'be all, end all' for martial arts. However, I agree with you, Kellen - the ol' too deadliez argument is reactionary. And sport combat is awesome, in every form, when taken to its highest level. I even love top level wushu taolu. But then, I love rhythmic gymnastics. It's all about skillz. And competition is one of the greatest arenas to showcase skillz. It's honest. You have to play by the rules.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
lkfmdc
I won't tell anyone if you won't :D
I'm getting so tired of you telling me this. ;)
Two-person forms are usually called duilian.
And there are taolu for sanda.