I agree with KalEl 100%. If you want to learn how to fight and be challenged so you don’t spar one handed (which despite how you might explain it to your training partner is very disrespectful regardless of their skill) then take up Muay Thai or MMA.

A traditional MA is most always geared to the student who is a bit of a romantic and wants to learn the art of “insert name here” as it has been passed down from the mystical hands of Master whoever or they are looking for something structured with clearly defined goals/rewards (think coloured belts). Another reality is that TMA schools have to try and retain students so making it ‘easy’ or less contact orientated helps attract and retain students while operating under the guise of teaching effective self-defense.

Having said that, I have met some great fighters in my time doing karate and other TMA but they were a rarity and usually black belt level or higher Dan grades. Quite often this ability to fight is also a combination of their personality (some people will never be fighters) and life experiences.

My eyes were truly opened the first time I took up Muay Thai, those guys train hard, teach effective, simple, easily learnt techniques and have plenty of contact. Heck you even cop a beating holding the pads for your training partner a lot of the time. It will sound like I have a massive ego but in TMA circles I was a better than average fighter and had real life experience to back it up, I was nothing compared to a lot of the guys I trained with and despite me thinking I could take a hit I was actually pretty soft compared to these guys.

You keep stating what you want and how such and such a school has let you down. If you want contact join Muay Thai or MMA, sure you say there are rules and that is no good but also keep in mind nothing else is going to prepare or condition you for apply force to an opponent or receiving it. Cross train it with BJJ (I can vouch for its effectiveness from experience) and then you negate the lack of grappling and groundwork. Or better yet train MMA which is very close to real fighting as all aspects or range are covered.. Also you are always going to encounter rules, they are a there to help keep you and your training partner safe and able to turn up the to the next training session/work etc.

Unless you want to start a fight club or go down to your local pub and start smashing punters you are never going to get a ‘real experience’. Training is almost always a compromise as nothing teaches you on what to really expect in a fight or will show you how effective you really are except for a real fight.