This kind of sparring is great for learning purposes and could be done daily. Nice takedowns. It seems you had fun.
lol I had fun especially because no one was able to get a takedown on me that day. We went into the sparring knowing that the Sanda guys would be working their takedowns. I was the only one in the school was able to avoid that fate for the most part. Other than a basic trip I was able to successfully defend against the take downs.
There was a debate among the fighters in my school about what was the best way to avoid and defend against a take down. My theory was to stay low by taking a lower stance similar to how we train. The other guys had a theory that the low stance that we train wasn't functional. My logic was why train it, if it isn't functional to be that low.
That one day was one of my biggest learning days. Here's what I learned that day sparring against people outside my system.
1. My cardio wasn't as good as I thought it was.
2. My legs weren't as strong as I thought they were. Staying low burned up all of my energy within seconds.
3. Stationary low stances are easier than moving low stances.
4. My low stance theory was proven to be correct.
5. Tai Chi helps even if you can't use it to fight, you'll gain a sensory skill set.
6. You have to always try to use your system when sparring even if you don't do good with it. It's the trying that is so important and you'll learn tons about the techniques and the applications of techniques simply from failing.
7. Spending an hour sparring and never trying to use a technique is just a waste of time. What's worse you'll start putting yourself down about your abilities in the system you train without realizing you didn't try in the first place. This is what happened to the boxer in our school. His ego and confidence in Jow Ga was hurt big time that day. The reality of it is that he didn't use any Jow Ga that day but he still felt that Jow Ga let him down.
8. Being too tense burns energy like no one's business.
9. One of the best times to sweep someone is when they are punching you in the face (against your guard). If your opponent is focused on punching your face then they aren't paying attention to their legs.
10. A cat stance can be use to avoid a take down where people put a leg behind you and trip you.
After that day I went back to the drawing board and shifted some assumptions and became better for it.