Reality Training

[Dark Knight]

If you have been around in the arts for a long time and fought or spar alot you learn that the system is not as important as the training.

I see a couple areas as important in training

1. Good technique
2. The strength to make it work
3. The right mind set
4. Train as you fight.

I also train in different weapons that I will never use in a fight, but I like working with them. (three sectional, swords...)

I put on the gloves and spar with someone at least twice a week. The level depends on my partner. I dont go all out on my beginners, but I give them a good workout and I work on my more difficult techniques with them, with advanced people the contact goes up.

(I met this one guy who said he spars full contact with no gloves, I said I didnt believe him because he had all his teeth an a straight nose)

I also do bag work and focus pads, the usual drills for techniques because you have to crawl before you walk then run....

What do you do to add realism to your training?

[Dark Knight]

BTW, I realize that is a partial list of what is needed, a good trainer or coach will make a difference, good training partners... The list can go on.

But what do you do to add realism?
And is it extremely important to you?

[SanSoo Student]

Best realism is to go fight in bars that are known for shady people, and get in real "street reality" fights. If you can't do that, then fighting with 10 oz gloves, full contact is pretty real; yet it isn't real at the same time.

[Meat Shake]

"What do you do to add realism to your training?"

bought a facemask with a bar in the front so we can elbow without breaking each others noses.

Occasionally hide a rubber knife in my belt line to pull out during sparring as a "suprise".

[Samurai Jack]

Originally posted by Dark Knight
If you have been around in the arts for a long time and fought or spar alot you learn that the system is not as important as the training.

I see a couple areas as important in training

1. Good technique
2. The strength to make it work
3. The right mind set
4. Train as you fight.

Well I'm about to secure a job as a local Sheriff's deputy. I'm very excited about the prospect as I selected my dojo and art based on the knowledge that I'd be working in law enforcement one day. I currently am employed at a lock-down mental hospital, so Aikido has been a great art for that since I now have extensive training (through Aikido), and more importantly EXPERIENCE in restraint and control. So following your model, which I agree with wholeheartedly, here's what I've done over the past two years to aquire fighting skills germain to law enforcement.

1. Good technique
First off, I did alot of research into various fighting systems to find one which had a "restraint and control" mindset rather than a "kill-or-be-killed" philosphy. I had trained for years in Judo, Kungfu San Soo, Hsing-i, Pa kua, and a little karate. Of these styles, I found through experience that I could only use a few Judo and Kungfu techniques to restrain my MH clients, since the rest of the techniques were just too dangerous to use unless you wanted to risk hurting people. So enspired by the teachings of Robert Koga, the Aikidoka of LAPD fame, I sought out an Aikido dojo. There are five in my town, so I had alot to choose from I went with the school with the most obviously martial training philosophy, since I want to be able to use my training in real life.
2. The strength to make it work
I've been weight training for years, so this wasn't too much of a problem. I moved from a bodybuilding type workout routine to a Powerlifting routine in order to emphasize getting as strong as possible, instead of training mainly for looks. I've found that I enjoy lifting alot more as a result.
3. The right mind set
As far as mindset goes, my goals are different than the average MA. I want to be able to remain calm in even the most extreme situations. I've always been good at this, so it isn't much of a problem. My dojo's training philosphy reinforces this core value of mine.
4. Train as you fight.
Once again, I chose my dojo because what is being taught is almost exactly what I need to know. The emphasis on joint locks, takedowns, throws, and unbalancing techniques foot the bill physically. Emotionally, the art is much more demanding than you might expect from an art with such a "new age" reputation. The fact is that there just isn't any room for airy-fairy nonesense at my dojo, which suits me just fine!

[Samurai Jack]

I thought I'd resucitate this ol' dinosuar since it's got some good info. I'm wondering if people's opinions have changed much over the last half-year or so?

For my part, I'm still plugging away at the same dojo, and still trying to get that Sheriff's deputy job.