Sparring w/o gloves.

[Rainbow_Warrior]

I got a problem. At kung fu gym.....people in class , normally do sparring w /o gloves. That is not the problem in fact...but after years of KB and boxing I am used to hit if I see a hole, not thinkin in consequences ( I know in my own flesh that with gloves DO HURT , but is not the same)

Those guys, move fast (faster than I) , I am not a very fast guy (t more stamina and strenght that speed , for sure.But not too slow either) , but a conservative fighter and a better counter-atacker than atacker .I could hit them easily most of times in thier faces when they come...and I STOP my hand in the front of the guy´s face...but they still doing their atack..... With bruce lee face expression .....

If we were using gloves , and that hand would landed in that face.....the atack wouldnt continue on that way, I am sure.... But I can not hit them.

Last time I grabed the leg of some guy and took him down to stop that atack , but...the floor is concrete....and people looked me weird.....

So what would you do ?

[elbows_and_knees]

personally, I wouldn't train there. However, if you continue you train there, ask if you can wear gloves. Not being able to hit them may decrease your skill level over time, which is not what you want.

Another option is to hit them with an open hand. we will spar light contact with no pads on occasion - we punch and kick to the body, but all strikes to the face are open handed.

[bushido_man96]

I would ask them to put gloves on, or augment the contact level a little bit. I used to have this problem when I would just mess around with some of my friends. I would throw very light kicks, and light hand techniques, so as not to hurt anyone, but they would take me down and wrestle me, and they tell me that my stuff wouldn't work, because of what they were able to do.

You have to change the contact level to make them understand.

[Sensei Tom OBrien]

If you do not want to change schools & you want to continue to spar in this manner then I suggest the following: Either ask the instructor to make an announcement or just tell everyone that they should respect the punch or kick to the face, meaning that you back off for 1 second & acknowledge the shot or you will go ahead & make contact. Garanteed if you clock a couple of people they will get the message. Ive experienced it. Take it from an old man.

Thanks,

Sensei Tom

[Rainbow_Warrior]

Well , I see most of you think the same. Good ideas. Thanks

I would touch them with my open hand first to see what happens....If the thing does not change, I will talk personally with each guy...that sounds good

Talking to the shifu directly to change the way of training could be taken as a lack of respect....Who I am to tell a guy how to train in his own gym ? I can tell the crappy guy in front of me...but his fault may be a reflex of the instructor fault....

I train there because I like Forms and the lower positions in training,they are good....we also do some especific situations and scenarios....Also,this instructor is very good with chinese weapons , and that is the primary thing I wanna learn there.

I was very exited to return....but I see a lot of holes in the training way, also lot of good stuff. Is obvios the lack of combat in this school. That is why I droped it when I was 14.That is why I´ll still doing Kickboxing sparring in other gym....

[Jiffy]

I would learn to control your techniques. Anyone can hit with full force, but skilled people can choose how hard they hit.

[Jiffy]

PS - that's probably why they don't use gloves in the first place, I know that's why we don't.

[Rainbow_Warrior]

that's probably why they don't use gloves in the first place, I know that's why we don't

Yes , maybe is the Sifu´s purpose...But , My worst problems are with the White and yellow belts..they don´t got it when they get hit and still with the atack... I agree with bud Sensei tom´obrien , they should respect the punch , and step backward. And Controlling strenght without loosing speed is a big deal , for sure.

I do not care if I receive a punch without gloves....And If it hurts...I wont show others my pain, either get angry. I just continue , and do not stop sparring. I stopped once when I felt very very bad after a hook in my head in a boxing sparring becasuse I was havin´ double sight (not nice).I am not doing a tough bad boy line , but I am a very proud guy, and hate to stop a combat...People usually turn enraged when they´re touched in that way , whit the raw hand. And Is not my willing hurt my mates in trained or being hated, a thing that easily comes when you are a little better.

[Scotty]

If they don't accept your strikes on them as legitimate, as said before you should give them a quick tap or speak to the teacher.

It sounds like it might be a bit of pride coming in, are you new to the class? It could be that they don't want a 'new guy' coming in and showing them how its done?

[Sensei Tom OBrien]

Hey Rainbow. I know that feeling of getting hit with a hook kick in the head. I got hit right on the temple by one of the Berrero twins at Aron Banks' tournament years ago. I actually saw those stars that burst while they spin around your head.

Thanks,

Sensei Tom