first spar impressions

[baka]

hey there MT fellows
it'd be great to hear your comments.
i had my first spar yesterday and it struck me i couldn't put myself together and actually counter attack my opponent. all i did was stepping back and even though i was covering my head some bunch of his punches got through.
my instructor said i'll have to get more sparing exp. to overwhelm myself here. it's not that i doubt my instructor i just want to hear your opinion maybe you had similar problem and if so how you got over it.

[jubaji]

all i did was stepping back .

Straight back? Are you baka, baka?

[baka]

that's what i was told ))

[Caddock]

Getting punched in the face is no fun. It is very common for people to go straight back to get out of danger, it is built into us (most of us anyhow)from a young age to get away from danger quickly. Like any habit it can be overcome with training and practice.

I certainly did when I started, I see a lot of first time sparrers doing it. Eventually you will become more used to the idea of sparring and the possibility of getting hit, eventually this internal defence mechanism will let up some. With some coaching on alternatives to moving straight back and more time sparring you will get better.

I am sure your instructor has a plan for you, ask him/her about it. Coaching styles are different everywhere, and a lot of time depend as much on the athlete as the coach, so it is hard to find a one-size fits all. Hang in, you will get better.

[bigred389]

Yeah, same here, I did the same thing when I started sparring.

As you spar more, after each session, try to think and drill ways to respond to what you see being thrown at you.

Then sparring is the pressure test for the "theories" you come up with.

[Khun Kao]

Being your first time, your reactions and impressions are par for the course. It'll take time for you to develop the vision and timing to effectively counter someone who is really trying to hit you. As others have already stated, its pretty much everyones instinctual reaction to back away from danger, so your reaction is also par for the course.

Hopefully, your instructor is giving you drills to work on in class and in-between sparring sessions to work more on lateral motion and counters. But don't be afraid to ask him if you have questions! Most instructors actually appreciate the questions because it shows that you are serious about what you are doing and trying to better comprehend the art.

[baka]

thanks for your replies
i never had problems asking my instructor about anything so after that spar i did too and was answered about the same thing you guys offered here - i have to spar more to gain confidence. i asked that same question here in hope to get more detailed answers because in moscow (i'm russian and live in moscow if i didn't mention it before) we don't have lots of MT forums and those existing are kinda slow on answers. anyway thanks for your replies i'll concentrate on rebuliding that part of my subconsciousness blocking me from countering in a right way.

[WhiteTiger]

...

I remeber my first saprring experience. It was agianst the best fighter in Sweden in my wight class at that time.
I got punched arond like a bag. And I got a headache after it and was really scared to sparr agian.
the first time is always like you get punched around and just step back. As your instructor says. You need more experience.
After you get used to it it gets more easyer.
So I say. Sparr more and often. But dont just do it. The sparring can make you sloppy in techniqes beacouse you dont think so really techniqaly when you saprr. You just wannt to hitt your opponent.
But sparr more and traine more and then you are gona get used to get punched and be able to move better and all that.

[osopardo]

I remember my first sparring experience (and mind you I'd already been in a few schoolyard and street fights) was being surprised by my opponent's speed and force and not being allowed any opportunity to deliver any strikes. He told me afterwards, "You're not supposed to allow your opponent "his turn" at striking you. Actually, it's a lot about bein fast enough to take away his "turn". Oh and the backing stright back thing is a common mistake.