Hurting My Sparring Partner

[Aces Red]

I've always been a kicker more then anything, given that I have trained in BJJ, Ryukyu Kempo, Tang Soo Do, and Mui Thai. When I spar with friends at the dojo, I always seem to bring my opponent tumbling to the ground when I kick at there legs, even at 25% power. They just lay their gravling in pain. Its not that I mean to, its just that I was built for Mui Thai kicks (I stand 6'4 and have a VERY strong legs). Now if I were to attack at full force... well thats another story.

So I was wondering: What can I do to stop hurting my sparring partner? I'm afraid of one day of seriously hurting someone. Should I stop just using kicks all together or what? Any help would be welcomed. Thank you in advance.

[bushido_man96]

Maybe put some padding on your shins. That may help.

[NewEnglands_KyoSa]

yes you can pad your shins, stop doing low kicks all together, or just fake the kick and use the utmost control coming within about an inch from there leg and that way, if they bite then that might even set you up for a nice follow up. good luck

[yingampyang]

No you shouldn't stop kicking. Maybe try some pading.

[The BB of C]

May I ask you to describe the school you're in now and the kind of people you spar with?

[Throwdown0850]

I've always been a kicker more then anything, given that I have trained in BJJ, Ryukyu Kempo, Tang Soo Do, and Mui Thai. When I spar with friends at the dojo, I always seem to bring my opponent tumbling to the ground when I kick at there legs, even at 25% power. They just lay their gravling in pain. Its not that I mean to, its just that I was built for Mui Thai kicks (I stand 6'4 and have a VERY strong legs). Now if I were to attack at full force... well thats another story.

So I was wondering: What can I do to stop hurting my sparring partner? I'm afraid of one day of seriously hurting someone. Should I stop just using kicks all together or what? Any help would be welcomed. Thank you in advance.

are you saying you have no control over your legs?? thats kinda confusing?

[pittbullJudoka]

Maybe lay off the legs kicks. From what I gather from your post this only happens when you kick them in the legs. Sounds like they aren't trained to take leg kicks. Also as others said try shin pads.

[yingampyang]

You should maybe ease up a little , but not stop because this is great training for your oppoents and sparin partners.

[marie curie]

Maybe ease up on the leg kicks until you get enough control to not hurt your partner.

Work on a bag- take the top off it's stand and set it on the ground. work until you can form the leg kick at near full speed without knocking the bag over. This way, when you do leg kicks on your partner, you are using control to avoid hurting them, and gaining the muscle memory that you need.

In addition you should train every once in a while on something rather than someone, so you can get a little practice in with force.

Also, padding as everyone has said.

[sabro]

Isn't this all about control? You are responsible for every technique your throw. You should be able to throw a technique with full speed and power and pull it before it touches more than cloth. I don't think there is any excuse for hurting your sparring partner. Focus. Control.