Originally Posted by
Fernando
To fight back this ambush I'll:
i) Stick tight to a principle
ii) Then, try to apply this principle to all details of the situation.
The principle is something like "The goal of randori practice must always be mutual progress and development, so that all actions taken by one kenshi must sincerely pursue benefits for both of them." - This is the easy part.
One principle that I have found myself sharing with my children time and again; Failing/Losing is essential to learning. Without losing, we can never discover our weaknesses. We can never progress. They come home after a test at school and look depressed when they get a bad result, I say "fantastic! which question was the hardest? Now you know exactly what to study to improve next time."
I totally understand what it feels like to fail miserably at randori - both in class and at taikai or friendly competitions - and I recognise how much it taught me. I could identify precisely where my weakest points were (sometimes with colourful bruises, but usually just by the vivid memories) and came back to the next class more determined than ever to overcome my limitations. Was it any different whether the randori was included in a "competitive" setting? Sometimes Yes and sometimes No. Perhaps my experiences were different to yours. I didn't (don't) have a particular problem with kenshi being praised for their skills in randori, as long as the other aspects of training are given recognition too. I would have a BIG problem with an Art that teaches Self-Defence being opposed in principle to competition for the wrong reasons.
Because of discussions like this, I have come to recognise that everyone here is essentially supportive of randori training and practice, but opposed to activities where people can "lose". I think this probably sounds like delusional madness to anyone who has found their chosen path to be one that includes competition as an essential part of the training.
I hated watching the Shorinji Kempo randori competition from the ASEA Games. For the same reason that I dislike the TaeKwonDo sparring at the Olympics, or the various Karate competitions. The action is reduced to skipping about, feints and aborted movements with the occasional committed strike that is either rewarded or not by a judge's expert opinion on whether or not it was on target. It can be dull and unsatisfying to the point of boredom - which is particularly annoying when you know just how incredibly fit and talented the competitors are. Ensuring the safety of competitors makes for a rather silly version of something only vaguely related to a martial art. I don't like watching Shorinji Kempo randori as a spectator. It is not complete enough and observers have to "fill in the blanks" for themselves when the action is halted. Inexperienced spectators will see even less. I think randori should be included as part of Taikai and/or demonstrations to ensure the public can get a taste of this aspect of the training, but tournaments can end up taking over an event.
Don't mind me... I just like talking.
David Noble
Shorinji Kempo (1983 - 1988)
I'll think of a proper sig when I get a minute...
For now, I'm just waiting for the smack of the Bo against a hard wooden floor....