Sparring Question

[Asahi1265]

I'm new to the message boards. I'm currently a blue belt in TKD (WTD.) and I have a question regarding sparring. In my school, the adults and children are together. I've never felt comfortable sparring little kids, and I was curious as to whether this is common practice in TKD schools.

 

 

Thanks!

[aznkarateboi]

In my old TKD school, this was the case. I suggest you find a new school. School's that have primarily children usually have curriculums that are watered down and are meant for younger children.

[Asahi1265]

What I have found is I am teaching the new students the skills needed for testing. I don't feel as if I'm learning what I need to progress.

 

Sounds like I need to find a new school...

[aznkarateboi]

I think you should spend more time thinking about the decision. What else can you tell us about your school?

[Asahi1265]

Well...It's a relatively small school. The training we (my entire family is enrolled at the school) received initially, I felt was excellent. Our forms, stances, kicks (foot position) etc. was closely watched by the instructor.

 

This instructor now cannot teach as often due to work concerns, and the conductor we have now is a bit.....immature. (Think of an ADHD person after 6 or 7 Snickers bars. A regular showboat.) He is not as concerned as our old instructor was about correct forms, stances, etc.

 

As I stated before, the adults and children, upper and lower belts are all together. I've devoted hours to teaching the younger white belts, only to have them come to class for a month, never to show up again. It's almost as if I'm paying to babysit. Besides, I feel a bit foolish sparring a 5 year old white belt.

 

Again, this is my first TKD experience...is this normal?? I've expressed my concerns to our Master Instructor, and was told this is pretty much how it's done in Korea.

[monkeygirl]

I think that sparring children can help you exercise control in sparring. I can't stand a martial artist who will only spar with "the big boys" so that they can go full contact. Control is extremely important, so I think a learning environment with a balanced amount of children and adults could be helpful to building control.

 

However, if the training takes on too much of a "kiddy" aspect, with constant games and watered-down training, then that's unacceptable. Kids can usually handle an adult environment, but most adults won't stand for a kiddy environment.

 

If your dojo is suffering the latter, you should seek out a new one.

[aznkarateboi]

Sparring only with big boys with one thing, but if I was a full grown man I wouldn't just want to spar with little kids.

[Asahi1265]

Good point- I didn't mean to sound as if I was wasting my time...I would think these little guys would be better off sparring other little guys. They can't reach my patch and I usually get kicked in the crotch.

 

I don't wish to spar with the "big boys" full contact at all. I'm 37 years old, I can't keep up with the "young-uns" stamina wise.

 

I've come home with quite a few bruises...the black belt I spar forgets I'm a fogey. My poor knee joints ain't what they used to be!

[sk0t]

I think that you need to mention this to the instructor. I dont agree with 5 year olds sparring in the first place. Let alone a 37 year old sparring a 5 year old.

 

As for monkeygirls "sparring children can help you exercise control in sparring"

 

I think that there are a million other ways to learn control. Drills, and pads and sparring older people.

 

The probability for injury is greater and the legal issues if you were to hurt the younger person would be tremendous.

 

You should talk to the instructor and then make a decision on leaving the school.

[IAMA_chick]

i help out the kid class twice a week and i have to spar them. i don't feel comfortbble sparring them like i spar other people, but i do spar them.