It's me again!!
Having problems with my 5 step sparring
It's not easy just because it's simple - knowing that you're having problems is a BIG part of getting better
My intention is to try and hit my partner knowing that the chances are slim to none since he knows what attack is coming,is this right or is it a form of kihon where the partner is there for distance judging etc.
Both !
You should always be "aiming" to hit your partner and do damage in any Kimite practice BUT you should be in control enough so that you can pull the technique to avoid injury should your partner not react quickly enough or have a momentary laps/brainfreeze.
...and yes it's also about distancing and technique - no real point in getting within 12 inches of your opponents face and then trying to deliver a punch through the back of his head at full extension is there ? ....much better (IMO) to try to get "close enough""as quickly as possible" to deliver your chosen tecnique with corrcet distance and timing - should result in an overall faster attack and better opportunity to catch your opponent.
when challenging I stride as close as I can to my partner, I've been told to stride or cover as much ground as possible. this inevitable brings my punching arm too close or I loose my balance?
Hmmmm..... are you "sure" this is precisely what you've been told ? - it makes sense in a "general" sense - assuming that your partner will step as you expect but as I've suggested above your goal should be to get within striking distance BEFORE they've had time to set up properly for the block/counter and hence (IMO) you need to be striving to cover FULL distance as quickly as possible but prepared to readjust depending on your partners reaction.......
Going against someone like Shane he steps into your body before punching making it real difficult to get a block in?
Good Lad
Arms will move much faster than legs in most circumstances and a major factor in delivering REAL punching (or kicking) power is getting your body mass moving as quickly as possible as you deliver the impact with the arm/leg - the arm WILL catch up with your body - trust me on this
Another major factor in power delivery is the sequence in which you apply the various muscles in your body to delivering the technique so the striking limb should be the culmination of the technique delivery - possibly think of the extreme case wher you stick your arm out first and then charge forward to punch and now think about the sequence when Shane delivers his attack - the other advantage is that in a genuine kumite situation your opponent doesn't know what attack to defend against until the last possible moment......
I am totally confused as to either you step in as much as possible ? your opponent role? When doing it I feel as if I'm in slow motion?
LOL - join the Club
- but seriously - hopefully at least some of my ramblings above will make some sort of sense/help with your issues
BTW - The opponents "role" is (IMO) is to wait till the last possible moment that he feels is safe for him before attempting to block the attack - and then to try to counter with as little gap between the block and the counter that he catches the opponent before they've "settled" into stance. NOTE - you need to be able to tell the differnece between this "waiting" approach and the "Startled Rabbit" approach
4.00am and couldn't sleep going over my steps and different scenarios. Still none the wiser.
Keep asking questions - it will come with practice (eventually- so they tell me - I still struggle with Sanbon and Gohon Ippon - as it should be with good partners)
EDIT: I also agree with Huw's post - despite any
apparent conflict in what I've said above
