2005 Workout #139: Kumite! Hajime!

I left the workplace today rather frazzled at 5:45 pm. I swung by the house, put on my gi, and made for the dojo. I had a feeling based on previous conversations that and I would be sparring before class, and spar we did.

I think we went on for a full fifteen minutes before class. My forward and backwards movement is coming along rather well and I’m working to just go with my gut and let techniques fire when I think an opening exists. Matt and I traded blows, I landed quite a few kicks. I was keeping it simple… mostly front kicks and side kicks. I tried a few attempts at expanding my punching repitoire, however it usually just degenerated down into kick setups.

At one point I had found a pretty consistant spot to kick Matt, however it was somewhat in between his guard. That means it was partially blocked most of the time, but I tried to penetrate the kick through his guard and it seemed to work. I just have a 8″ long raw spot on my right shin where his guard was sanding off my leg.

Then the class started. We did basics and some partner drills along the same vein as Workout #137; I totally whiffed one of my vertical knifehand blocks right in front of Sensei so that was rather embarassing.

We gave a stripe test to a young man that had pretty good focus for a white belt. He had some things to work on, but he passed. It was kind’ve funny… he let out an exasperated “phew” when we told him he passed. Apparently he had built it up as a pretty big deal, so I think he was happy to succeed.

The second class was more sparring. Moments of note include a match up with Sensei Brewer. I live for the chance to really spar with Sensei Brewer… I learn so much from fighting him. I’m working on keeping my hips quite a bit lower, and as a result I’m getting a new body dynamic that is allowing me to stop and sink when attacked. It is apparent that everyone expects me to back up and when I don’t the distance gets closed for me. I recall getting a reverse punch or two and a backfist strike in on Sensei. He pummelled me ugly for the rest of the time we sparred, but you take the moments as they come.

I think the work on the forward and backwards “commit” to throwing techniques is paying off a bit too. Distance seems to close itself when its working right, even against the likes of or Raleigh that like to stay farther back. If the first technique doesn’t get close enough at least it gets looked at, which buys me the opportunity to put something else under the guard.

I’m still telegraphing. I’m still kicking too much. I’m still rising up with my body as I move backwards, however I feel that all of these things are starting to diminish if only slightly. I’ve been thinking a lot about sparring and the mindset that one has to be in to really get the most out of the experience. This post has gone on for quite awhile, so I think I will end it here and save those thoughts for another time.

Tonight’s workout was *fantastic* though… I was hungry for more by the time we ended. It also occurs to me that and I haven’t gotten a chance to mix it up lately… this needs to be changed. 🙂