Originally Posted by
Eric Olson
Good blog post! I would add the caveat that if you focus too much on the fighting too early on that you won't learn the fundamental mechanics of a solid, punch, kick, throw, etc. I've seen a lot of beginners want to get in and spar but they don't have any skills yet to really execute. It can also go too far they other way where people are drilling, drilling, drilling and never do any sparring. It's probably works best as a process: You learn a little bit of form/theory and you take it to free sparring to test it out. That didn't work, adjust. Keep trying until you can apply it or if you can't make it work--adjust the form/theory.
I don't know about that, in Judo, boxing, MT, Kyokushin, most MA in fact, beginners are sparring right away.
The DEGREE of contact is adjusted accordingly of course.
Psalms 144:1
Praise be my Lord my Rock,
He trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle !