Cool.......your right sparring for five minutes is a long time and a great workout. I think you are on to something. If you want to really get the most from the experience I suggest a couple of videos from
www.senshido.com or
www.tonyblauer.com ask questions and don't jump to video at first that sounds cool just get a good base and then move on (check your library for books by Sammy Franco). You will notice that what you do in the fight is way different than what you thought. With that said you will grow very quickly. Remember learning how to use physical skills is lower end of what happens in the chain of events. Have scenario planned. Work the dialogue. Gear up and hold off on power at first and just let everything fly. Have a plan, what is the goal of the bad guy and where or what are you trying to do ( get home, call for help). Have the bad guy be a bad guy and not a martial artist. Have him act and react like a bad guy. A bad guy doesn't know BJJ or Karate or whatever so take those tools away. Are they high or broke and want money, do they have a weapon. Develop the skit and it will dictate the action you need. Remeber gear will reduce what might really happen if you eye gauge or whatever but keep going as if it didn't happen, do overkill, keep going and video tape the situation, review not analize, later on lay obstacles on the floor. Isolate the drill and start from the ground pretending you both fell, this way you can work a specific area and may be able to do it on real concrete or asphalt with out getting seriously hurt. Groundifghting on the real ground can be very eye opening and painful. Best of luck
and feel free to email me with any questions?
I grew up my high school years on the Rosebud Reservation outside of Mission, SD. Great place but sad and tough. Also I teach my adults from my garage. It is amazing what some paint and carpet and mirrors can do for a place. It looks awesome and better than most places I have trained. We aren't so different my friend are we.
Brent Tibbetts