Blind Fold combat

[Oraenor]

Does anyone here performs sparing blind folded? I am not talking about wing chun's sensitivity rolly arm thing, I am talking about proper sparing with blind folds on. My uncle who was a CLF master encourages students to do it as well as my master in YKM as it builds up you hearing sensitivity, ability to fight in dark or lack of light, sensitivity of touch and sensitivity of proximity of opponents.

What do you guys reckon?

[IBOPM]

IMHO I'd say it only works if both people are in the same style. Or else you really couldn't tell where your opponent will be coming in. Yes, even with very good hearing, I highly doubt it. However, if it was just one person blindfolded, thats a little different. I forgot what else I had to say, so i'll leave it at this for now.

[HtTKar]

Great idea, as long as both people trust each other. It builds up skills that you might not get otherwise. It's sensitivity training. It takes you out of your confort zone and makes you use different skills. Good idea.

We used to do this trick, where we would be blindfolded and then have someone put their hand near our face, close enough to feel its heat. If you focus on it, eventually you can feel the heat from further and further away. We had to do that for a while before we were allowed to spar blindfolded. It takes time. How else could you train that? I dont think you can ever have too many experiences to help build your skills.

I dont spar blindfolded anymore, havent for years. But I cant think of anything wrong with it (as long as you trust each other). What can it hurt?

[djcaldwell]

I agree - we used to do many blindfolded drills from chi sau to sparring. It does help in sensitivity training. I have not done full out sparring blindfolded but I still work trapping drills this way a lot.