Ernie:
Great points about a "slow controlled progression" in terms of contact sparring drills coming closer and closer to spontaneous fighting.
KWJ:
More great points about ALL the related issues to this thread, especially the importance and possibility of cross training with success, and using "geared-up" sparring to efficiently prepare for the streets - as you say - it's not rocket science.
Old Jong:
Yes there are many ways to chi sao...but still no cigar coming without REAL contact sparring - in terms of one's overall preparedness for a street encounter.
KJ:
I love tomatoes...and you're good-natured approach is indeed a welcome breath of fresh air...The very same net, however, used to say that there are gray areas should also catch the fish called "either chi sao/ or sparring"...and realizing its uselessness - throw it back into the sea - because as KWJ said: "No one gets hurt if trained smart"...so no need for people to get so bent out of shape about "geared-up" contact sparring.
EnterTheWhip:
You don't want to mess with me...Then again, with you it's always hit, run, and hide anyway...
Yuanfen:
Once again bores us with "The sparring syndrome is an extension of not understanding the richness of chi sao"....
No pal...chi sao - whether it be rolling and striking, coming from a distance, chi gerk, san sao, yadda, yadda...IS STILL JUST CHI SAO.
And although it is your magic pill - it's still a placebo - because chi sao just doesn't cover enough bases..."The richness of it"...?
Go put a few more dollars in the bank if you really really want to prepare for an encounter in todays world - otherwise don't go into town too often - because you're clearly not prepared for what you might find there these days...
Phil Redmond:
Great stuff about needing to have heart - gained from sparring against someone REALLY trying to hit or kick you (as in geared-up contact sparring).