Sparring Children in class

[DWx]

When sparring in class and you end up getting partnered with a small child (I'm talking about knee or hip level), which is better:

- sparring above their head, performing your combos as if you are fighting someone your own size, or

- sparring to their targets even though most of them require you to kick and punch very low?

Now normally I try and go with the first option using it as a chance to try out combos I might not be able to pull off against sparrers of them same height and ability however this doesn't do the kid you are sparring much good. They can't possibly try to block your techniques and can't really counter very well. It also doesn't do much for yourself as you miss out on practicing to appropriate target areas.. so, given no choice about whether or not you want to spar the pee-wee, which is better?

[yingampyang]

I think if you are matched up agianst sum1 like that u shouldn't fight because it doesn't seem fare. But if he is short and the same age as you then different story. I would say fight him as normal like you would any1 else. Because of his hight im sure he would of trained alot in how to take down taller oppoents.

[NewEnglands_KyoSa]

When sparring in class and you end up getting partnered with a small child (I'm talking about knee or hip level), which is better:

- sparring above their head, performing your combos as if you are fighting someone your own size, or

- sparring to their targets even though most of them require you to kick and punch very low?

Now normally I try and go with the first option using it as a chance to try out combos I might not be able to pull off against sparrers of them same height and ability however this doesn't do the kid you are sparring much good. They can't possibly try to block your techniques and can't really counter very well. It also doesn't do much for yourself as you miss out on practicing to appropriate target areas.. so, given no choice about whether or not you want to spar the pee-wee, which is better?

usually when this happens, we know that we aren't really going to be getting anything competitive wise out of the match some of us opt to fight on our knees.

[pittbullJudoka]

This is you time to help the young. Help them learn to spot open targets. Help them learn combos of their own. You strike them very little. This is the time you step up as a sempi or sensei within you school. I would also change height so they can reach target areas easier. This shouldn't be a frustrating fight for the kid as if it is it may discourge them.

[Jay]

Fight the target

I don't see how he can learn if he is not going to be attacked

[NewEnglands_KyoSa]

there is a way to teach and fight without pummeling a child. i agree with PitbullJudoka on this one, and say fight them, but make it fair, make it a learning experience, not a disappointing one.

[marie curie]

Well Said, NewEngland

If you know something, then chances are that at one point, someone sacrificed a bit of their training time to teach you. This is your turn to pass on the information.

Striking above the kid's head is certainly not doing him any good and you could practice shadowboxing at home. If you fight him, at least you can work on your control.

As to the unfair fight thought- it's not like you are picking on a kid in the street. You are practicing and teaching and not going 100%. You'll figure out which kids need 10% for a little while, and which can go 50% and you can learn to adjust according- something that it takes practice and skill to do.

[DWx]

Some good points. I suppose when I'm sparring it'll depend who the kid is. Some of them are good and when you aim a kick at their head they'll block and counter (even if they have to jump to get your mid section). However some of them just run. They'll spar from like 5 feet away and even my legs won't reach. In situations like this I just practice my combos, maybe making the final technique to them but otherwise normal height. I think in situations like that (at least for me) I really don't see the benefit in aiming low when you take a step forward and the kid takes 3 back. I'm all for teaching kids how to spar, taking things slow etc. and I do this, but when a kid runs off and doesn't make an effort to try and fight I feel like my time is wasted compared to actually teaching them something. Thoughts?

[bushido_man96]

This is you time to help the young. Help them learn to spot open targets. Help them learn combos of their own. You strike them very little. This is the time you step up as a sempi or sensei within you school. I would also change height so they can reach target areas easier. This shouldn't be a frustrating fight for the kid as if it is it may discourge them.

Right on here. It is important to give them techniques that they can block. You don't want to kick over their head, because then they will end up reaching for the block, and you don't want them learning that.

When they just turn and run, then you have to make them stop, drag them back, and then make them stand and block your attacks, even if you have to start slow. They have to build some confidence, and then you can teach them more.

[white owl]

When I have to work with the little one's in class I go about have the speed I would and adult, I some times will do more blocking than punching and kicking about 75% to 25%. Which lets them work on getting in on a bigger target, and when I do throw punches an kicks I touch them, it is not teaching them anything by throwing them over there heads, only bad habits.