You're bound by the rules that are presented to you. Keep at it, you'll get better as you gain experience.Sorry, I forgot to mention the very limited rules in this particular case. Only hits below the neck and above the waist were allowed, and only kicks *near* the head were allowed but not contact to the head. No hits to the legs, back, or face. And no safety gear was worn for this particular exercise.
But with those kind of rules it's easier to just write rather than spar.