Do you have a set time for students to begin sparring? Do you have them wait a while or do they begin shortly after joining up?
Looking forward to your replies!:ultracool
Mike
Looking forward to your replies!:ultracool
Mike
What Belt Do You Start To Spar At?
- Thread starter MJS
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I agree with this!
I don't own my own school, but I think that within a months time, the student would have enough of the basic blocks, strikes, etc., to be paired up with a senior student, as you said, who will have their best interest in mind. I've seen some newbies spar with people who tend to take advantage of them. This, IMO, leads to frustration and the possibility of the student not wanting to spar anymore.
Mike
At my instructor's school, we start sparring on day 1. I think that it's a little early to freespar personally, so I usually have the newer students pair up with the more experienced and give them an objective like touching their opponent's chest or stomach with their hand or foot...no specific technique until they get comfortable. some times I also give specific guidance (you-only front kicks, you-only down blocks...go).
Steel Tiger
Senior Master
This is pretty much the pattern I use. I like new students to have some basics under the belt before they spar. But you can't wait too long. Got to get people used to having punches and kicks thrown at them, and used to being hit, otherwise self-defence simply won't work.
Callandor
Green Belt
After a few sessions (around the second week). That's what we mostly do - aside from limbering exercises.
I teach kids. I start actual sparring at Yellow belt. However, I get them used to the idea of sparring by doing what I call "the Ninja Paddles of Doom."
I put on a chest protector (& a cup:ultracool) & tell them they can kick & punch the target areas on my all they want. But, in each hand I have a kicking paddle. They must keep their hands up or I will test their guard with the "Ninja Paddles of Doom." It helps them a) learn some basic techniques, b) get comfortable with sparring, c) keep their hands up & block attacks.
It's been a good begining learning tool for them.
I put on a chest protector (& a cup:ultracool) & tell them they can kick & punch the target areas on my all they want. But, in each hand I have a kicking paddle. They must keep their hands up or I will test their guard with the "Ninja Paddles of Doom." It helps them a) learn some basic techniques, b) get comfortable with sparring, c) keep their hands up & block attacks.
It's been a good begining learning tool for them.
Callandor
Green Belt
A cool name for something most kids are afraid of - sparring. It takes off the fear and replaces it with fun. ...but aren't ninjas scary?
A cool name for something most kids are afraid of - sparring. It takes off the fear and replaces it with fun. ...but aren't ninjas scary?
Most of the time they are laughing even as I bonk em with the paddles. Some get really serious about it, too. It's neat to see how they approach it.
It goes something like this:
Instructor: "You got your basics finished right? (4 kicks, 4 blocks, 6 handweapons, 2 stances). Got your cup and mouthpiece? Good gear up, and tell one of the black belts you want a piece of him."
(pause)
"And I should probably mention you've got your headgear on backward."
Instructor: "You got your basics finished right? (4 kicks, 4 blocks, 6 handweapons, 2 stances). Got your cup and mouthpiece? Good gear up, and tell one of the black belts you want a piece of him."
(pause)
"And I should probably mention you've got your headgear on backward."
IWishToLearn
3rd Black Belt
My students can only spar with an instructor or a senior class mate Purple Belt + until they themselves get to Purple. Then they can spar with anyone cause they have learned to control their actions.
wade
Black Belt
Depending on the student, and their skill level, and their mind set, I have been known to send them to tournaments, (full contact), as white belts with only a couple of months of training. It's like learning to swim, you can learn all the strokes but until you get in the water you will never know if it works or not IE: sink or swim........................
If they survive, well, then we start on refining their technique and making them better. If they don't, well, we move on.
How's this for "cold", eh?
If they survive, well, then we start on refining their technique and making them better. If they don't, well, we move on.
How's this for "cold", eh?
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Not being a teacher, I'll respond this way. On my very first day of class I sparred. It was back in the day, no pads, or anything. We just went at it. That's how it was for us back then. Now, I think it starts around intermediatre levels-purple and up? Unless of course they enter tournaments, then the beginner levels spar with each other. Generally, instructors wanted students to have some comfort level with basics before sparring.
Yeti
Black Belt
For me it's been yellow belt level. Beginners get the basics down - stepping, blocking, striking - and then begin to use them in controlled sparring situations at around that level. Then, as experience and skill increases (i.e. as you move up in rank), those restrictions gradually lessen until you are full go.
Shaderon
Master of Arts
I did sparring on my first day or near enough there. In our classes white belts spar those of a similar rank, or they spar with an assistant instructor, or high belt. Not usually mid belt ranges but I have been paired with a white recently to go over some simple sparring. I found it useful to be able to get right in there and have a go. Our sparring is pretty controlled anyway so there's no chance of hurting each other and the whites learn quick from watching a partner. Like Wade said, our whites go to tournaments too, it's good for them to have a go and prepares them for what's to come.
masherdong
2nd Black Belt
When I was in Kajukenbo, once you are yellow belt, you started sparring.
