September 18, 2006
Round 2
Because I am a glutton for punishment, my husband and I sparred on Saturday after my testing. While in his basement office, he’s apparently been working some things out. For example, instead of leaping around and only throwing punches, he’s discovered kicks (or thinks he has anyway). I spent all this time between sparring sessions thinking about ways to defend against his punches and now he’s kicking. Great.
The good news is that I blocked most of his kicks. While at karate last week, my instructor and I were talking about the head of our dojo and his sparring techniques. My instructor was saying that he would often stand there sideways, and just wait. As an opponent would approach, he would throw out a back kick that would stop an attacker in their footsteps.
I thought I’d give it a go. So, instead of just throwing front snap kicks or roundhouse kicks, I threw in a side kick (I do need to practice these after all) and an occasional back kick. They seemed to do the trick and I will definitely try to incorporate those into my sparring in the future.
My problem with my husband doing a quick run by and bopping me on the head is still there. It’s his height. He has me by a good 6 inches. Last week in class, we talked about using inside, outside and knife hand blocks to defend against punches-that these blocks seem to be the most effective. With someone who is coming from so much farther above you though, it’s hard not to do upward blocks. And my upward blocks are not strong enough against his punches. I tried to parry and move out of the way. I tried to augment my blocks, but I have two problems: lack of upper body strength and I’m thinking entirely too much about what I want to do.
When I think too much while sparring, it slows me down. Speed is another thing I really need to work on. I’m quick when I play tennis, so why can’t that translate to karate? It’s frustrating.
I’m also frustrated with my husband’s lack of control. Grrr. He hit me in the nose so hard that I thought for sure I was going to have a bloody nose. I returned the favor with a shot that rolled off his head gear right into his eye. We have awesome sparring gear and I love it, but somehow I’m thinking we might have been better off wearing these. . .
So, as far as the BBM Challenge goes, I’m doing well with my goal of sparring once a week. I just need to concentrate on building upper arm strength. You’d think that carrying around my almost year old would help with that and it does sometimes. It’s just that now, Lil C much prefers walking/running around the house, and climbing the stairs on her own.
Look for Round 3 details later this week. Hopefully I can get some pointers at class this week.
If you’re interested in joining the BBM Challenge, it’s not too late. See here for details and email me for a coupon code for Everything Fitness once you’ve signed up.
The Carnival of Family Life is up here. Check it out for some great posts.
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You are lucky. At least you get to spar every week. I wish I can do that. At my dojo, we mostly work on kata. So, I’ve only sparred a few times.
Yea, my BBC hasn’t been going so well. =\
You know, Mr. B is always going to bop you on the head, he gets it from his dad. 🙂
I can so relate. My husband doesn’t have a lot of control either, and he once gave me a black eye while sparring!
I’m also shorter than most of my opponents, and have learned to fight toe to toe to take away the height advantage over me.
When I first started using this strategy, I ended up “rushing” my opponent and getting stop kicked (the back kick you mention in your post), and I had to learn how to “faint” techniques, getting my opponent to commit to a move, which created an “opening” during which I would dodge/slide to the “inside” of their striking range.
What usually happens then is my opponent tries to get away from me, I stay right there, toe to toe, and end up running them out of the ring.
P.S. I love your blog!
Oh, the control! I’m sorry you got hit in the nose! I remember when I was taking karate a few years back, I’m so short that everyone would hit me right smack in the boobs. It used to make me so angry because I would show them exactly where my waist was and they would still smack the chabookas. Grrrr!
Lizzie: At the dojo we rarely do all out sparring. That’s why I’m giving it a go at home to try to get better.
Maniacal: Stick with it. Planning a 1st b-day party can be time consuming so I understand.
Patty: I think you’re right about that.
Naomi: Black Eye?!? I’d kill him if he ever did that to me!
Ml: I have the same problem but with the much shorter opponents sometimes. It’s not fun.
“but I have two problems: lack of upper body strength and I’m thinking entirely too much about what I want to do.”
1- a block is a strike, a strike is a block. You don’t need upper body strengh. you need to snap that block. Try it, you’ll understand and so will he. Timing, speed. That’s all you need.
Three types of blocks
a-accompagnying -follow the hit
b-evasive – move out and block
c-striking – HIT!
2-Thinking – you might be right. I’m not sure for now. 🙂
Also. Musashi (remember him?) talks about feints. Put intention in your feint. One feint, make him move back, retreat a bit, HIT!
When you try to move backwards, you head goes back and your balance goes astray. Break the balance he’s got by hitting and follow through. NO pause. Feint, back, hit!
Being smaller is often an advantage, but people don’t see that because of reach issues. It’s all about strategy, perception, intent and hiding intent.
have fun
Hmmm . . . maybe I should take up sparring with DH. Could be fun! heehee!
Actually you should feel fortunate sparring with your husband. It sounds like he does unpredictable things you’re not used to seeing in your dojo – plus he’s a big guy, right? This all works in your favor. Just take it easy on him!