Aliveness, also referred to as alive training,[1] describes martial arts training methods that are spontaneous, non-scripted, and dynamic. Alive training is performed with the intent to win, rather than for mastery or demonstration purposes as in regular sparring, where victory is not an option. Aliveness has also been defined in relation to martial arts techniques as an evaluation of combat effectiveness.[2] Some trainers, like Cus D'Amato, Kevin Rooney, Floyd Mayweather Sr., resort to the alive training, requesting both their trainees and sparring partners to do their best.[3] Such method became known as the wars in the gym (or sometimes Philly wars by the place they reportedly originated).[4] Others, like Angelo Dundee, prefer rather mild and less extreme methods.[5]
- ^ Badger Jones (2007). "Siling Yabulo Arnis" (PDF). Filipino Martial Arts Digest, Steven K. Dowd. pp. 32–35. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-06. Retrieved 2010-04-18.
- ^ Scot Combs (2006). "'Aliveness' in martial arts training" (PDF). Full Circle Martial Arts. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-26. Retrieved 2010-04-18.
- ^ Mike Tyson - Most Brutal Boxing Sparring Wars
- ^ No Ordinary Joe, p. 298.
- ^ Lessons From Angelo Dundee - Training & Technique