My sparring has too much control.

[bushido_man96]

I have been making more head contact in sparring latley, so it is getting better.

In forms and heavy bag work, I do throw hard kicks, high and low.

I think my problem comes from one-steps (or two-person work?) training, in which I will crank some kicks, but stop them a few inches before striking.

I have good power; my favorite board break is a 4 board round kick. So it is there, just have to get there is sparring, without hurting anyone.

[elbows_and_knees]

After all, you fight like you train, right?

That is so very true.

If you train with 'pulled' kicks you fight with 'pulled' kicks, whether in the ring or on the street.

For a start, the body mechanics are different between a controlled kick and a full contact kick. If you only use controled kicks then you will use, train and condition muscles for a reflexive 'pull', leading to muscle memory. So, sub-consciously you will 'pull' your kicks in the ring and on the street, which is not a good thing if you rely on kicks for self-defence.

Then there's the phychological aspect. If you train fully committed kicks, then you will use them effectively, if you don't, then you won't.

DCMS.

bingo.