Sparring is a training activity frequently used in just about every martial art style or system. While there are many different approaches to martial arts sparring, generally all of them follow a predefined set of rules and unique customs.
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Unfortunately, many martial artists think their sparring skills are a good indicator of their ability to protect themselves in a real world self-defense situation. Well, guess what? Nothing can be further from the truth. While sparring does have its place in self-defense, it has nothing to do with a real street fight. Sparring is simply a training methodology. It’s a means to and end and not an end in itself. It should never be used as a gauge for self-defense or street fighting competency.
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Sparring does not represent the violent dynamics and real dangers of a vicious street fight. It is nothing more than a training tool used to develop combative attributes and rhythm.
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The practitioner can pace himself during training and then rejuvenate himself with rest periods. In real world attacks, however, anything goes; there are no rules, nothing is sacred. Rhythm is destroyed. And there is no rest! It is a question of simple escape and survival.
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People often get caught up in the competition or contest of sparring and lose touch with its true value. Remember, your goal is not to “win” or beat your training partner but rather to learn by experience while simultaneously improving your sparring skills.
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Sparring is a valid and beneficial form of training that should be included in any martial arts program. However, sparring should not be confused with full contact role playing drills that are practiced in reality based self-defense.
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Sparring is NOT real fighting. Sparring, no matter how it is interpreted or trained, still has limitations that separates it from what is perceived to be real fighting. Whether you practice point-sparring or full-contact sparring, prematurely engaging in sparring exercises in a real-world scenario is not only foolhardy, but dangerous.
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SPARRING IS NOT STREET FIGHTING. IT IS NOT SELF-DEFENSE……. KNOW THE DIFFERENCE. 
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