Panic Reaction

[DokterVet]

Lately, I've noticed a trend almost exclusively when training with women. I am a 6' tall 18 year old male, and when I step in to attack even a high ranking female, they do this for a split second. Even if they counter my technique fine, there is very often this look of total fear on their faces that I've never seen anywhere else. Their eyes literally bulge.

 

I have yet to notice this in a man - even the younger, smaller, or less experienced males that I've trained with don't seem to do it. Are women more predisposed to have their survival instincts triggered? Is it simply because of the size and strength difference? Has anyone else noticed this phenominon?

 

Edit: Fixed typo

Edited May 20, 2003 by DokterVet

[Sibylla]

Some women (including me) are afraid of teenage boys, because they are strong, fast, but don't always know how strong they are compared to others, and if you couple that with lack of experience in the martial arts and a lot of enthusiasm it can be scary for us women. Guys with a lot of experience are much easier to train with, even if they are really big and muscular.

 

 

 

It could also be the survival instinct thing, I must admit to getting it in the beginning of my training, but now I know the guys so it is ok. You guys are probably more used to fighting eachother since you were kids, but when a man takes a swing at a woman it triggers some mechanisms.

 

But I don't think you should change your behavior towards the women (don't go easy on them) because they will/should get over it in time.

[ZR440]

Maybe you could do a Master's thesis on that.

[karate_woman]

I am a 6' tall 18 year old male, and when I step in to attack even a high ranking female, they do this for a split second. Even if they counter my technique fine, there is very often this look of total fear on their faces that I've never seen anywhere else. Their eyes literally bulge.

 

I have yet to notice this in a man - even the younger, smaller, or less experienced males that I've trained with don't seem to do it. Are women more predisposed to have their survival instincts triggered? Is it simply because of the size and strength difference? Has anyone else noticed this phenominon?

 

Edit: Fixed typo

 

What kind of face are you making when you spar?

[DokterVet]

I don't think I make a funny face or anything! It's probably something like this. I naturally look very angry. Maybe that has something to do with it.

[chuck_girl]

I think it is the sheer size difference, and everyone knows guys have the natural capacity to hit harder, even if they have the control not to, the girl won't get that automatically. Then again, maybe they thought you were good looking or something?

[DokterVet]

Then again, maybe they thought you were good looking or something?

 

Yeah, you're probably right.

[Pacificshore]

When I trained in Shotokan I would pair up with my friend who was a female and a black belt. During self defense she had this look prior to technique, this look during , and then this look after

[Sibylla]

I once paired up with a kumite champion, he is really huge...his face looked neutral but the eyes where like snake eyes or something, totally cold and fixated. He scared the shit out of me, and I got this slowmotion experience, the thing you get when you are about to have a major accient of some sort. He nailed me with a sidekick every time, I could see his foot coming at me but there was no way I could avoid it...so it was like "ouch"..."ouch".."ouch"...I almost...

 

The thing is, he is a nice guy so there was no rational reason for me to feel that way.

[theswarm]

that's the face i have when i spar anyone above black belt

 

and my mind is telling my body 'move, move!'