sparring problem

[aznkarateboi]

I have a problem when I'm sparring... when I see punches coming towards my face I tend to look away and move my head back a lot causing me to be off balance and in a bad position... Are there any good methods to correct this? thanks

[Drunken Monkey]

have faith in your guard hands...

 

hmm, you say shaolin, what do you mean?

 

proper full on shaolin? as in lohon quan, tan tui etc etc?

 

or a particular shaolin form/system like pheonix eye, or something?

 

general thing i tell wing chun newbies, get used to doing the little steps to left and right.

 

it's super quick and IS enough room to get your head out of the way, especially as you have a hand to intercept as you take the step and pivot.

 

also, don't worry about the fists.

 

instead look more to the forearms, or elbows or even the shoulder, depending on how confident you are in shutting and closing.

 

don't think about 'stopping' the incoming weapon. instead concerntrate on crossing arms first.

 

after you are used to the intercept, you can begin to close the various circles.

[Sasori_Te]

This is a fear reaction. It is natural for this to occur. It simply takes practice and conscious effort to keep your eyes open. Perhaps you could practice some drill with a partner that you trust to get over this. Have them punch at your face just out of reach. You don't really want to focus on the punch. Let your peripheral vision pick it up. This will speed up your reaction time in order to effectively counter the incoming technique. If you want more info I can describe a separate drill for you.

[aznkarateboi]

This is a fear reaction. It is natural for this to occur. It simply takes practice and conscious effort to keep your eyes open. Perhaps you could practice some drill with a partner that you trust to get over this. Have them punch at your face just out of reach. You don't really want to focus on the punch. Let your peripheral vision pick it up. This will speed up your reaction time in order to effectively counter the incoming technique. If you want more info I can describe a separate drill for you.

 

It would be great if you did

[Pacificshore]

Work more of your angles when moving, utilize more parries versus hard blocks, just my 2cents

[White Warlock]

I have a problem when I'm sparring... when I see punches coming towards my face I tend to look away and move my head back a lot causing me to be off balance and in a bad position... Are there any good methods to correct this? thanks

 

Agree with Sasori-Te, it is a fear reaction. You need to desensitize yourself to the fear of being hit in the face. Boxing head-banging drills help to work this out. Once you've done that, you can properly train your body to block, parry, slip and dodge.

[kotegashiNeo]

Eyes are your only defense, Firstly you must strengthen your spirit, Do this by adding intensity to you forms and partner drills. Secondly detach yourself if you are scared of a punch coming at you, think how much that second punch is going to hurt if you don't see it coming at all. Lastly if you have head gear with a full cage strap up take the punches until you can look them right down the pipe and not flinch.

[Drunken Monkey]

well, i would say that you want to harness that flinch reaction and train it so that instead of flinching away from the hit, you learn to do something else (probably step off and receive with a hand technique of some sort)

 

and yeah, what i completely forgot to say was, practice.

 

get a partner to throw a punch at you, slowly at first and let you work around it, adding speed and power when you are comfortable.

 

don't overdo things.

 

i mentioned taking a little step to one side because you don't need to run a mile to avoid that punch.

 

take a small step, add a little turn in stance and you will have at least 12 inches of space between you and the hit.

[shotochem]

You just have to trust your own blocking. We all started out like that to some extent. Once you trust yourself you will have that fearless attitude that no matter what is thrown at me I will block it or counter it but I will not be hit. Keep your hands up, practice one step drills with a reliable partner at half speed then work up the tempo. Gradually wait on the attack as it gets closer to your face, then block. Time it later and later until you are at the point where if you dont move you will get hit. This is what built up my confidence. Only focus on the attack do not worry about being hit.

 

I hope you undestand my rambling....

 

No, I have not been hit in the head too many times....

[fireka]

Taisabuki! It's called something different in Chinese but it means 'body movement'. Moveing away from a strike is best, blocking a strike second best. (whoa, I sound like Sun Tzu! ) If I block in a fight it's cause I messed up my strategy somewere, but thats just how I fight, I'd rather justmove around the opponet and make him look silly. Instead of just moving your head, change your body position. I don't know if this is applied in Shoalin though so don't take my word on that.