what on earth?

Unpossible

I stumbled on this in googlevideo. All the title says is Irish open
Irish open

So what is it? and why do they strike once then step back as the ref stands in and waves his arms around?

yomchi

Unpossible wrote:

I stumbled on this in googlevideo. All the title says is Irish open
Irish open

So what is it? and why do they strike once then step back as the ref stands in and waves his arms around?

AKAI Irish open. Europes largest All styles kick boxing tournament. What your seeing there is the light contact points sparring. Nothing unusual really!

Jon

Unpossible

so its kickboxing?

yomchi

Unpossible wrote:

so its kickboxing?

Thats what they call it

Tim_Murphy

the light contact points sparring.

Just to be pedantic...;)
Light Contact generally refers to continuous sparring. Semi Contact refers to points sparring, as is shown on this clip. It was also featured on some program on RTE2 during the weekend.

I competed in the continous sparring division of this event a few years ago (in the -75kgs division!:eek: ), good quality event.

memphis

Same sparring rules in ITF Taekwondo competitions also.

As said above that is semi-contact points sparring. You score the point and return to the centre, and off ya go again until you score again. Its usually 2-3 minutes a fight.

Then of course as you advance up the grades, we do continuous sparring 9which i haven't yet done myself, but will probably be doing in my next competition as I'm now a Blue belt.

yomchi

Tim_Murphy wrote:

Just to be pedantic...;)
Light Contact generally refers to continuous sparring. Semi Contact refers to points sparring, as is shown on this clip. It was also featured on some program on RTE2 during the weekend.

I competed in the continous sparring division of this event a few years ago (in the -75kgs division!:eek: ), good quality event.

Potatoes - potatoes!!

I didn't know that. You learn something new every day

TapouT

Semi-contact. The fighter score's a point, the ref stops play, awards the point/points to the fighter and call's "fight" again until the next score.

Punch to the body or head is one point, a kick to the body is one point and a kick to the head is two points. Any kind of a flying kick to the body is two points and the head is three points. Its been a few year's since I ref'ed and longer since I done the ref's course so I might be slightly out there.

Light/Continous is as the name suggests. Its fought on the mat, and contact is kept light, ie. no hey makers and wild flailing around. The ref wants to see good technique at all times.

Full contact is in the ring, its more or less like light contacts but harder!.

memphis

TapouT wrote:

Semi-contact. The fighter score's a point, the ref stops play, awards the point/points to the fighter and call's "fight" again until the next score.

Punch to the body or head is one point, a kick to the body is one point and a kick to the head is two points. Any kind of a flying kick to the body is two points and the head is three points. Its been a few year's since I ref'ed and longer since I done the ref's course so I might be slightly out there.

Light/Continous is as the name suggests. Its fought on the mat, and contact is kept light, ie. no hey makers and wild flailing around. The ref wants to see good technique at all times.

Full contact is in the ring, its more or less like light contacts but harder!.

Yep, that sounds about right. At least the points scoring is simular to what I would know from Taekwondo anyway.

Tell me then, how does Continuous sparring work? I know its continuous (no smart assed answers there please) but how do ya decide who wins? Is it based on the ref's opinion of the better fighter or what? What exactly does the ref look for, etc? Like I say I have never sparred in that manner, but am likely to soon, so would like a brief understanding of what to expect.

Roper

The judging system differs from place to place. Some use a "clicker" like the Ben Affleck Lynx ad! You get your points, similar to the points sparring, they just acrue on each judges clicker and are totted at the end. Others use a flag/decision technique. So judges just make their mind up at the end based upon who did most of what they're looking for. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. Of the two I think the clicker one is better as there's slightly less room for judges error, and it means almost anyone can judge as anyone can see points being scored. The second is based on opinion more and needs a more experienced eye, which isn't always available at a large tournie.

Anyway they're two totally different games in terms of competing. I loath points sparring (cos I'm slow!) but continuous light contact is a fun game, a bit of craic cos you're not going to get hurt.

Unpossible

how does Continuous sparring work?

Well in HanMooDo, the ref doesnt stop/pause the fight unless someone has gone off the mat, been thrown, or a foul has been committed (or someone got hurt). There are usually 4-7 judges including the ref (one on each corner of the mat and I think 2-3 sitting down), but for the lower belts you rarely have a judge on each corner (too many matches going at the same time). In between rounds and at the end the points are added up (your told before you start a new round who is winning & by how many points).

The odd thing is you can only get one point per atack, so if I go in and kick you twice in the head and punch you square in the chest ill still get one point. But if I paused and stepped back between each strike I would get 3 points (at least thats how it was explained to me)

TapouT

Roper wrote:

The judging system differs from place to place. Some use a "clicker" like the Ben Affleck Lynx ad! You get your points, similar to the points sparring, they just acrue on each judges clicker and are totted at the end. Others use a flag/decision technique. So judges just make their mind up at the end based upon who did most of what they're looking for. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. Of the two I think the clicker one is better as there's slightly less room for judges error, and it means almost anyone can judge as anyone can see points being scored. The second is based on opinion more and needs a more experienced eye, which isn't always available at a large tournie.

Anyway they're two totally different games in terms of competing. I loath points sparring (cos I'm slow!) but continuous light contact is a fun game, a bit of craic cos you're not going to get hurt.

I've only ever seen the flags used in TKD competiton's, I know AKAI don't use them. We use clickers. There's two judges with clickers and the ref. If the clickers 'draw' the ref can award the fight to a fighter based on aggression and proper techiques used.

I detest points fighting. While it makes a fighters reactions extremly quick I think it takes away the younger fighter's 'killer instinct!. I say that because alot of kids will score a point and instantly stop fighting even before the ref calls 'stop' or 'break' whereas continuous the fight goes to the timer.

memphis

Ah yes, thats what the flags are all about. have seen that before, but could never understand how it worked. Get it now... Thanks Roper. Its usually a case of 4 judges on each corner, with 1 ref on the mat watching, or something like that.... with an extra body keeping the time!

Cake Fiend

That's some funny stuff I love the way the guy on the left waves (both) his hands around when he goes for the jab, very entertaining. I wonder what those superman-style diving punches would be used for? Hmm.

Don't get me wrong, I think there are benefits to be found in semi-contact sparring, but when technique goes completely out the window, it (IMO) defeats the entire purpose.

Well, all in the name of a bit of craic, I suppose

memphis

I suppose the diving punch (as you called it) is used as a means to gaining ground. It closes the distant from your opponent when you lunge at him as such. Plus, ya get extra points for a jump punch to the head.

Cake Fiend

memphis wrote:

Plus, ya get extra points for a jump punch to the head.

I always found this hilarious.

Millionaire

I really hate the way Points Sparring (semi contact) is called
kickboxing in Ireland.

Thats a Sin!!!!

I like to think of kickboxing as Full Contact, that to me
is what kickboxing is.

Continous Saprring is alot of fun too!

TapouT

Millionaire wrote:

I really hate the way Points Sparring (semi contact) is called
kickboxing in Ireland.

Thats a Sin!!!!

I like to think of kickboxing as Full Contact, that to me
is what kickboxing is.

Continous Saprring is alot of fun too!

I think Semi-contact kickboxing is just a throwback to the Karate backgrounds of most of the older clubs and/or their founders.

I hate it too. I think it gives the kids terrible bad habits, which carry over into their continous/light contact game.