Originally Posted by
Dragonzbane76
I don't see it as a waste of time but I do see hitting targets more viable than open air striking. You pointed out some reasoning and I agree that it does help with footwork and "honing" the over extended points that people tend to have when full out striking and missing.
When used in conjunction with resistance training it can be a good thing in "cleaning" up the striking and making for better balance when confronted with target striking. But as pointed out the Traditional communities tend to over work it instead of shifting the focus on actually striking a moving target and producing power.
Agree, DB. All things in balance.
It also depends on where a practitioner is in their respective "evolution" as at certain points in that evolution, the priorities of training need to shift.
Rank beginner's, for example, often lack basic coordinative abilities. So having them hit things right away tends to encourage and ingrain already existing bad habits.
But for the more advanced practitioner, they can only really expect to "go to the next level" by hitting things as a predominant part of their training. Without that percussive feedback, you really just don't know if your technique has any merit.
A little further on still, and now working with live opponent's is the only way to truly develop a fluid responsive capability.
I don't discount any aspect of overall training in favor of another. And it's a pity some do exactly that. All in balance and all in their time.
One of these days the world is going to become so politically correct that it will scare itself out of existence.
MP 2007