Sparring

Last night I started thinking back when I first started sparring. I recall the panic stricken feeling in my stomach when the Sifu yelled "GEAR UP".

It took a while, probably around blue belt before I began to realize my approach to sparring was all wrong.

First, we spar to hone our skills in case self defense becomes an unfortunate but necessary issue. In order to have a chance at defending ourselves successfully we need to practice the possible scenarios that may befall us, when I recognized this , this is the time I changed my perspective on sparring and on my sparring partners.

The most important asset to our training is our peers and earning the trust of our peers. We accomplish this through communication both verbally and with body language. When you trust the person you spar with the doors will open wide up.

You become more relaxed or should I say focused on learning something new as opposed to just trying to get through the next 30 minutes of "free sparring". As a good chess player setting up for new strategies, this can only be accomplished through hours of practice with a variety of opponents.

So, talk to each other, let your partner know what level you are at and something you would like to work on during your time together. Leave your Ego at the door but bring some self-confidence. Be aware of your partners disposition, check in on them occasionally as you spar to make sure they are not becoming withdrawn by your possible over aggression.

The key, is to develop a pillar foundation of trust within your school and sparring mates. This is more self serving then one can realize as it only leads to improvement in your own quest to become the best martial artist that you can be.

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada