How to let it go ?

Question

When I'am in my karate class I do very well but at the sparring practise i suck. I'm training half a year and I can't seem to punch properly. I don't put enough power into my kicks/pucnhes, they are very light. And 90% of sparrings i am into defensive mode, expecting to be punched. I was bullied at grammar school very much and that left a trace on me. How to get over it, please don't suggest psychriatrist or therapies, i just have that mental blocade?

Answer 1

It is a mental thing, but psycho therapy is not the answer. You simply need to identify for yourself what the issue is and face it. It could be self-preservation, meaning you are afraid of hurting yourself. Or it could be consideration of others, meaning you are afraid of hurting someone else. Whether you are having a difficult time making hard contact with an object or a person, you may still be pulling back for the same reason.

Try to change your attitude going in, just one time. THROW CAUTION TO THE WIND! I think you'll come out of it saying to yourself, "That wasn't as bad as I thought it would be!" Your life will never be the same from that point forward.

Answer 2

This is a common problem in the martial arts and most people that do well at kata can't fight. Find a training partner and start with the basics, Have them fire off one technique at a time, say a front kick and you practice blocking and countering, do this drill in a sparring state of mind and move around. After you can comfortably block and counter the kick, try it with a punch. When you feel comfortable have them throw eighter the kick or the punch at random. The problem your having is that you don't have the experiance yet and when a punch or kick comes at you, you have to think about what to do next, by the time you do this your hit, try the drills, get comfortable with different techniques coming at you and it will all come together, good luck, train hard and have fun

Answer 3

Just remember that you are there to learn how to defend yourself and attack when needed. If you are constantly a punching bag durring sparring, you will never be able to move up in rank and you will never be able to learn the best from it all. You are there for a reason, if you arent taking full effect from it, you are waisting your time and money.

I had a similar problem when I first started BJJ training, before I quit because the facility I was at sucked ***, anyhow, at first I was adimit about sparring because I knew that I was a beginner and they knew more, plus I have always been told I dont know how hard I do things like hitting or slamming someone down. My teacher told me what I just told you, and picked me up against the most experienced person there, so that if I did go too rough, the guy wouldnt get an attitude and beat the hell out of me.

And slowly I learned how hard to hit, how fast to hit, how to properly slam someone down while sparring and how to pull of submissions while sparring. You actually have to learn all of this, I admit at first I was scarred, even though back in my childhood I was the one picked on all the time as well, but I was always the first to throw a punch when someone ran their mouth and I was always the one to win the fight. The fact is that training is a lot different, you have to train all aspects properly or you will be looked down on, or made an example of, both of which suck.

So go up to your teacher, tell them your problem with this, and ask if you can spar with either them, or one of the top guys. If they say no, then I would quit and find another place to go because it wouldnt be good practice for them to deny you the learning aspects of sparring. Because sparring is the most important part of training. After all, you could learn just as much from sparring with an advanced person, without you ever being trained in anything.

Eventually you would pick up on what they are doing, and be able to do it yourself. Just talk to your trainer, and ask for some help with it. Dont feel like a ***** or anything, most people are like this because they are there to train, they dont want to hurt anyone.

Answer 4

You've spotted the problem, so you are half way there. If you consider that sparring is not your forte, then you need more time and dedication to it. Spar more, and if you still don't feel you are not punching/kicking properly, then perhaps your technique es flawed, and you are not being taught properly.

Being bullied is not the reason that you are able to perform when sparring, if anything, it should help you do it better! think of all those times you were embarrased, and humilliated and it'll help you be more aggresive, that way you won't be on defensive more as much.

As always, practice makes the master

Answer 5

Ok.
Sparring is just a drill, it is a simulation of combat. You are being too cautious. You should be able to trust your sparring partners enough that you can try new things. If you let your guard down you should not get smeared by your brothers/sisters in training. They may tag you to let you know you are unprotected, but don't be scared of that.
Also, don't be scared of getting hit. It isn't the end of the world.
After-all, it is just an exercise.

You may want to start doing strictly blocking drills in addition to kumite. If you can increase your blocking skills it will increase your offense too.

good luck, really the best thing you can do is to keep practicing. You have only trained 1/2 a year, that is not a very long time.

Answer 6

You've been shown to block , punch and kick.

You are still a new student, it will take time to get used to getting punched and keeping your senses about you, so just try to apply the blocks and kicks as best you can and try different techniques you've learned see which ones you can execute the best see which ones work best for you.

Power and timing will come in time.

Keep practicing at home too.

lr

Answer 7

Maybe you're taking the wrong Art.
And it should be noted it's anatomically incorrect for humans to make linear (straight) movements.
Such as the Karate punches you are having trouble with.

It also seems we have the same fighting strategy, Attack by Draw (or counter-fighting).
Attack by Draw is INTENTIONALLY exposing a vital area to attack from your opponent.
When your opponent strikes that target (i.e. takes the bait), evade or block and counter with your own attack.
A counter-attack, in my opinion, is the most powerful technique in the fighting arts because it lands when your opponent has no active defense.

You have broken through this "mental block", YOU ARE A COUNTER-FIGHTER.
To learn more about Attack By Draw and how to further develop your fighting mindset, check out "The Tao of Jeet Kune Do" by Bruce Lee.

Answer 8

Visualize your hand stopping on the other side of the wood, the block or the padding of the other person.

That's the secret.

Answer 9

just keep learning and training it will come with time.

Answer 10

Benefit greatly from it !!!
That way every time you think of it
You're Happy !!@!!!