sparring in martial arts?

Question

we do co-ed sparring at our dojo, and is ok to hit a female in chest area when sparring with male ?

Answer 1

well, we try to recycle people, so it's not like we're trying to cripple or critically injure our partner. You should treat her equally and throw punches like you would an equal. She must learn to defend herself, and you wont help her by giving her such a handicap.

Answer 2

The way we approach this in my studio is this. You as a male should not be targeting the chest on females or males for that matter since it has more padding, muscle, and fascia supported by bone structure (ribs). The area just below the chest and mid drift like the lower part of the solar plexus, kidneys, stomach, liver and sides of the floating ribs are much more vulnerable and areas to target for your attacks. The only exception to this is up under the heart.

While sparring is a contact sport and accidents happen think of your techniques as bullets in a gun. If you can't hit what you are punching, kicking, or striking at then all the gun will do is make a loud noise for you and not be as effective of a weapon. Don't subscribe to the shotgun or get lucky approach of hitting something when you are sparring and landing your techniques just anywhere.

If you do hit one of your female classmates in the chest don't embarrass her by calling attention to it then but do the manly thing and tell them sorry afterwords and that it was an accident. Most will respect you more for handling it that way and realize that it was not intentional.

Answer 3

Another poster said, "most Black Belt females can take out most Brown Belt Men." Okay, I guess I could be a Brown Belt for a date. I'm just kidding. I am an instructor and have had to talk to guys for being rough with the women in class. Women are not the same as men. As far as protective gear, it is required for liability, but someone that I train learns to defend himself or herself through muscle memory rather than depend upon the protective gear to do it for them. There are certain sequences to learning, so that first one step sparring, two step and three step sparring is memorized prior to any free sparring, and then non contact sparring, then later light and full contact which requires protective gear. The various sparring drills heighten awareness and muscle memory so that a person should be able to be more spontaneous in combat.

Answer 4

Well, yes. It's not like she's going to just let you. There is actually chest protection available for women who worry about this, and avoiding injuries. I recommend it. But, you have the same targets, regardless of male or female. Otherwise instruction for females would be less, and our dojo is equal. A blackbelt female will usually be able to take out a brownbelt male.

Answer 5

yes, it is not IMPROPER from a sparring etiquette standpoint, but from a strict sparring perspective then NO.

Punching a female or anyone in the chest (even though the breast area is sensative in women), is less effective than striking thier head.

In short, if you have a better option open, and I'm sure you will find one, then it is wrong.

Not because she is female, but because it is less effective.

Answer 6

Well I'm going to be the black sheep of the group and say no. Big time no! Outside that it could be considered to be sexual harassment (depending how often you aim there and how touchy the female is) it is also a very sensitive place (not quite like a man's groin but ... well you get the idea.
It is ok how ever if you slip and hit them there, I've noticed that the uhm, the bigger chested women kinda expect it. Though I never plan or aim for it.

Bottom line just use caution.

Answer 7

Yes it is alright. Females want to and are equal to men. So they get the same targets to be hit.

But to be on the safe side, use a closed fist rather than a palm smash. That way nothing can be accused or misinterpretted.

Answer 8

Yes

Answer 9

Yes it is, but always watch your power, a martial artist must also be a gentleman, don't hit her as you'd hit a guy.