I agree with what most of the others have said here. Tournaments can be pleasant, and unpleasant. I see this all as a positive benefit. Anything that is challenging can only serve to better you if you don't let it destroy you. Don't worry about the politics. Just go have fun, challenge yourself, and learn something!
I recall many of us "Taekwondo" people in the '70s feeling like we weren't getting a fair shake at tournaments back then because they were "Karate/Kung-Fu" open. None of the judges knew our forms, and didn't understand the movements of Taekwondo so we usually lost (even if our forms were top notch). In sparring, we often beat the tar out of the opponent only to lose 5 to nothing. We scratched our heads and wondered if the other guy was being awarded points for getting hit. :boxing: :lol:
Anyhow, I remember when they were holding their 15th annual Okinawan Karate/Kung Fu/Jujitsu championship, and we were starting our "1st annual Taekwondo Tournament (or "Taekwondo/Karate" as many were called). I have seen Taekwondo tournaments go through many phases and improve a great deal over the years. There is always something to be learned from the experience from both open as well as closed Taekwodo events. When you have competed long enough, you learn to coach or judge. When you have judged long enough, you learn to host your own tournaments. Then you can begin to make a difference in how tournaments are run.
The MMA kid! said:
I think too much focus on tournaments loses focus on what the martial arts was made for-self defense. . .
. . .now, I may get flamed for this, but the rule of TKD sparring allows too much room for bad habits. (hands down, relying on rules etc.) ...I was filled with embarrassment when i saw these Tae kwon do fighters bouncing around with they're hands down. "are these men the best in our style" i thought to myself. . . i think going to Olympic style TKD tournaments is good, but not for a person who is wanting to know how good a fighter he/sher really is.
MMA kid. I'm not going to "flame" you, but I will say you are right on one aspect. Your first line about "too much focus on tournaments" is correct. This is why we need balance and to train for self defense while using tournaments as a supplimental training environment. There are skills to be gained by learining how to quickly adapt to another fighters "style" of sparring. Learning quick reflexes to avoid contact, and counter before the window is lost. I can gain Martial Art fighting skills from playing soccer or tag football. These WTF Olympic tournaments are challenging, and a lessor skilled fighter will not last.
One more thing though. Some fighters do rely on rules and rules often limit the full range of self defense options, but there are also many advantages to these "hands down games of tag" you mentioned. First of all, beginner students are taught to keep their guards up and block an attack. This is good basic knowledge, but black belt fighters actually have an advantage with their arms down.
This is an advanced fighting skill and not a reliance on rules. We use the key element of self defense which is distancing. I let an opponent come as close as a fraction of an inch without moving too far away so I can counter. Other times, I will displace my body to absorb a medium impact off center of the intended target, taking a reduced hit without blocking. My arms are held down and slightly foward to force an opponent's kick to go wide if they want to kick the head making it easier for me to see coming and evade with distance rather than a block.
No one can move their arms fast enough to block every kick, thus it is better to learn how not to get hit. If I cover the opponent's rising leg with my arms, I keep their leg from reaching the head, I maintain it at body level where it will do less damage. I would do the same thing in the street (and have) with great success.
The first time I saw WTF Olympic fighting on TV I had never done it, and was stunned like you. It didn't resemble anything I had done, or seen in tournaments over the years, and I didn't understand it. However, since I've been involved in competing, coaching, and judging olympics, I see the method to the madness. Blocking is good when needed, but learning distancing is primary. For instance, what if your arms were broken, or your hands tied behind your back, could you win a street fight that way? What if you were holding two attackers with wrist locks, and had to defend against a third? Being skilled with slight distancing, evasions, and keeping your opponent away with defensive kicks might help.
I hope this helps to give you a different perspective without stepping on your toes, so to speak - lol - - Take care!
Sr. Master Eisenhart
