Hey Gent's
In some respect's ARMA is an "Underground" organization, we know that as a general rule the way we spar is not totaly accepted by alot of other group's, we all like to "Play" pretty rough, i think if we were to do a survey of injuries we sustain in sparring(padded or waster) it would be higher than most other group's, We(ARMA) in general do not want to get injuried we also understand that what we do and the way we do it is designed to cause injury so that risk is accepted, and we try to keep the injuries to a minimum.
Not everyone is willing too accept injury as part of a martial art, so there will alway's be those who will be more than wiling to water down the HEMA in order to make a dollar and avoid the risk of being sued, which to me is not the way to go, my thought is if you are afraid of being hurt don't let the door hit you in the #$& on the way out.
I do know there are at least 2 article's on the main site about "tournament's" between school's or town's in the spirit of fun and competition and there were a few prize's awarded, I don't think a "Tournament" once a year or so at something like an international gathering is going to effect the way we train because we are not training soley(sp?) for the "tournament".
If we look at this it is about a tour and open challenge by a 15th century French knight.
The Deeds of Jacques de Lalaing Just something to think about.
I definately do not want to see European martial art's fall any further than they have i.e boxing, high school/collegiate wrestling, sport fencing, stage combat. Even though the UFC, KOTC are the closest thing to real combat they do rule you to death, and the training has become specific to the cage i.e. get the opponent down and push them against the cage so they cannot use technique and pound them into submission.
It is a slippery slope to try and keep combat effectiveness and attract new and dedicated martial artist, ARMA by it's very nature is an exclusive organization we do not believe in altering the way we train and practice so people do not get hurt, we do try to be safe, so people who are fearful will not come to us to learn to fence, those who want to learn a true Med./Ren fighting art will.
We are already seeing the McDojo's popping up as evidenced by Gaurdup, and sport fencing Salle's teaching Med./Ren. swordsmanship.
I think if ARMA keep's doing what we are doing we will be better off for it, we have good people in our organization we all may not agree on every thing, we do agree on the core principle's of what we are doing and that i think will keep ARMA at the top of the heap.
Just my 2 cent's worth.
Jeff
