Here are a few random thoughts on the practicality of cultivating a few trusted friends who practice other martial arts. First of all, having friends can come in very handy. The other day I was hanging out with a friend that does Eskrima. We stopped at a convenience market for coffee before training. I realized I'd left my wallet in the car, so he not only paid for my coffee, but he bought me... a donut! Mmmmm... donuts. Actual, true-life story!
But that's not what I was thinking of when I started this thread. I was actually considering how important it is to know people you can trust from other styles who you can train with. I mean good martial artists who can box, grapple, kick well, and help you test your technique and improve what you do.
Now, in the past I've been with instructors who've been very leery of having me train with other groups. They felt this way for a couple of reasons. First, they were proud of what they taught and often they had professional and personal rivalries with the heads of other schools and organizations. So they lost face if you worked out with the other guy's students... maybe word would get out that their stuff had weaknesses and that their students are not very good. As one guy told me, by even training with the other guy's people, you give them credibility and an opportunity to say bad things. He felt that if you ever spar with another group's guys, you have to beat them decisively and have witnesses! Not exactly a recipe for productive training!
Well, I have been away from that instructor for quite a long time now. And I'm lucky enough to know a few guys who practice other styles. Some can give me a run for my money. Others can outright kick my butt. And I trust them. I trust them to test what I know, or think I know, and to give me honest advice from their perspectives on how to improve what I do. And I trust them not to talk smack behind my back. And, they are always good for coffee and a donut!
So how about you guys?
But that's not what I was thinking of when I started this thread. I was actually considering how important it is to know people you can trust from other styles who you can train with. I mean good martial artists who can box, grapple, kick well, and help you test your technique and improve what you do.
Now, in the past I've been with instructors who've been very leery of having me train with other groups. They felt this way for a couple of reasons. First, they were proud of what they taught and often they had professional and personal rivalries with the heads of other schools and organizations. So they lost face if you worked out with the other guy's students... maybe word would get out that their stuff had weaknesses and that their students are not very good. As one guy told me, by even training with the other guy's people, you give them credibility and an opportunity to say bad things. He felt that if you ever spar with another group's guys, you have to beat them decisively and have witnesses! Not exactly a recipe for productive training!
Well, I have been away from that instructor for quite a long time now. And I'm lucky enough to know a few guys who practice other styles. Some can give me a run for my money. Others can outright kick my butt. And I trust them. I trust them to test what I know, or think I know, and to give me honest advice from their perspectives on how to improve what I do. And I trust them not to talk smack behind my back. And, they are always good for coffee and a donut!
So how about you guys?
