how do you protect yourself?

[raven91]

I just began a very light introduction into sparring (starting off by brilliantly losing) and was wondering if anyone knew the best method of protecting one's head. I almost got knocked over several times because i threw a punch that was caught, or a kick that was blocked. Why does it feel like everything I learned up to now was useless? Is it normal to feel this way?

How do I protect my head, yet still offer some kind of offense?

Does anyone know?

[ninjanurse]

I'd say it is very normal to feel this way when beginning to spar. It takes time, practice, and patience to learn. Just keep working on it...the more you do the better you will be.

As far as protecting your head I don't think there is a big secret to it other than keep practicing what you have been taught and keep your hands up to block.

[stonecrusher69]

what style do you practice.??? if we know what style you practice then maybe might be able to help you better.

[raven91]

what style do you practice.??? if we know what style you practice then maybe might be able to help you better.

Is Shao Lin/ Kung Fu too broad?

[Goju_boi]

somewhat.Theres Northern and Southern.also theres styles that came from shaolin like Choy Lee Fut.

[raven91]

somewhat.Theres Northern and Southern.also theres styles that came from shaolin like Choy Lee Fut.

i'll have to ask my Sifu...to tell you the truth, I kind of feel a little ignorant right now ...

Thank you for your help! I'll find out in the dojo tomorrow.

[Goju_boi]

somewhat.Theres Northern and Southern.also theres styles that came from shaolin like Choy Lee Fut.

i'll have to ask my Sifu...to tell you the truth, I kind of feel a little ignorant right now ...

Thank you for your help! I'll find out in the dojo tomorrow.

why are you calling your school a dojo?If you train in Shaolin(a chinese art),then you should call it a kwoon as it is the proper name.

[raven91]

somewhat.Theres Northern and Southern.also theres styles that came from shaolin like Choy Lee Fut.

i'll have to ask my Sifu...to tell you the truth, I kind of feel a little ignorant right now ...

Thank you for your help! I'll find out in the dojo tomorrow.

why are you calling your school a dojo?If you train in Shaolin(a chinese art),then you should call it a kwoon as it is the proper name.

Wow! Thanks a lot for telling me that! ^_^ It's always nice to be corrected and to learn something new. Sorry for using the wrong term. I'll take a look on it online.

Thank you!

[raven91]

I took a look online and did some research (something that I should have done earlier to my ebarassment) and I believe that I have enough knowlege to give at least a frame of the style I am learning (at least until I can ask my Sifu).

In my Kwoon, we learn from several different styles apparently. We are - I believe - mostly Northern Oriented, although we do have elements of Southern style as well.

We have White Crane, Black Tiger, and Monkey forms. Right now, I have barely even scratched the surface of these amazing techniques. Still, even if I am rather inexperienced, I still spar for practice with some of my fellow students. It would help a lot if I could get some tips on defense.

Something more than "keep your hands up" would help a lot too. (That's what I hear from my partners, although they seem to get more hits in than I do.

[Goju_boi]

well be agressive yet not in an angry way.focus your eyes on their shoulders or chest,as that shows wich way they move.Warm up and stretch.Practice on a punching bag or mitts. anyways does your kwoon have a website?That would help everybody here know better as to what you do.