how do you protect yourself?

[Goju_boi]

well if they try to go easy on you go hard on them or tell them not to worry and spar like normal.Because if you always have it easy, youre not going to get any better.Also women tend to be smaller and more flexible,so you can use that tp your advantage for speed in movement and kicks.

[raven91]

No, I have not had the chance to start Tai Chi yet, but I want to very much. Actually, I'm planning on doing that during either Christmas break or the next Summer.

Goju boi - thank you very much for a great tip once again. I did indeed find that I am more flexible than most of my fellow students and teachers, but they are also very fast (especially the higher ranking belts). I suppose that I need to develop my technique to the point when I don't really have to think about a movement to make it.

[Goju_boi]

they are very fast because they know what they are doing,youre slower because your a bagginer that's thinking on what to do next.so once you really don't think for long you will be as fast if not faster.For example yesterday I sparred a little middle or high school girl,me being bigger,stronger,and older thought that I could handle it.When we actually started sparring her size allowed her to be faster than me and score points like crazy(I don't like point fighting).also she has had more experience so she knows her way around opponents.so just spar more and work on the reflex/timing drills.

[Kajukenbopr]

wow, I'm impressed with your school curriculum. It doesnt look like a watered-down martial art so probably you feel like you are behind because you are training with good fighters, so dont feel bad at all.

If you want a good tip on stopping the guys from holding back is to hit them as hard as you can- no holding back and somewhere where it hurts. - at least thats what a friend of mine does- she tends to be slower than we are but she hits every bit as hard.

[Goju_boi]

"If you want a good tip on stopping the guys from holding back is to hit them as hard as you can- no holding back and somewhere where it hurts"

exactly,this makes them feel like it's ok to go normal with you.