Sparring against a shorter opponent

[bushido_man96]

Thanks, tallgeese. It came to me, thinking about Bill Wallace's side-on fighting stance that I have been trying to mimic. It works well for what I do, and how we spar in class. However, if I came into your gym to workout, I would be more than likely to go back to my old reliable stance, with my hands up, head covered, and body more forward.

[Shotokan-kez]

To be honest i am not completely sure weather we are allowed to strike with elbows in class, especially to the head. I will have to check that out with my sensei.

[joesteph]

. . . to strike with elbows in class, especially to the head.

We haven't been referring to striking with the elbows, Shotokan; we've only been referring to guarding and blocking with them, particularly the area you referred to in your original posting, the ribcage.

It's doubtful your Sensei would permit this, and might even give us a good piece of his mind if he thought we were advocating that his students spar with elbow shots to one-another's heads.

[tallgeese]

Off topic-

Wear elbow pads, good ones and a decent set of headgear if you don't want stuff split open.

Control is great, but no padding equals an opened lip at best.

[Shotokan-kez]

Joesteph...phew! I wouldn't particularly like that myself. Trust me not to read it properly. Yes now i understand..blocking and gaurding with elbows is a great idea, to protect my ribcage.