Laugh all you want, but I came to several mini epiphanies while watching a movie about Ip Man tonight.
1. I waste a lot of energy and lack fluidity in my motions.
2. My stances can become mechanical. Narrow and natural is best.
3. I think too much. I need to focus on action and reaction.
4. I need more exercise. I'm pretty fit but my potential is limited by my lack of exercise.
5. I don't use the full advantage my height offers.
6. I tend to put too much focus into striking when I should be grappling and locking. At 6'3 and 235 lbs I can break almost anybody and should be when appropriate.
7. Agility kills. Like Mr. Miyagi says, "you no be there."
Can I suggest that at such an early stage of your training that you don't be to concerned at what you can and cannot do. I certainly wouldn't be worrying about any form of grappling except for what you are being taught in your class.
OK let's look at you issues.
1
. I waste a lot of energy and lack fluidity in my motions. There's nothing unusual with that in students way beyond you even. Things that sap energy are usually not the obvious. Breathing is critical. A lot of beginners forget to breathe. I even have to remind black belts to breathe when things are a bit intense. Once you start holding your breathe you tire really quickly. Also, when I was at your stage my teacher would keep telling me to keep moving as in bouncing around. That might be fine for a tournament situation but I teach my guys to slide their feet, not bounce. If you want to see an example of good footwork look at some of the Filipino martial artists. Fluidity comes with time and experience. Relax your body and slide the feet. Stepping commits you to moving a certain distance and tends to be stop/start. Sliding your feet gives you all the options of distance and the ability to change direction at any time.
2. My stances can become mechanical. Narrow and natural is best. Unfortunately the way stances are taught in most karate tend to do that too you. Too few instructors understand what the stances actually represent. Your narrow natural stance is in fact what you should be using almost all the time when sparring.
3. I think too much. I need to focus on action and reaction. That isn't an issue in the early stages of training. However as soon as you feel comfortable stop looking at your partner's hands. Doing that gives you reaction and you will be hit time after time. Once you start to read his body language you will start picking up his punches way earlier allowing you to be proactive rather than reactive.
4. I need more exercise. I'm pretty fit but my potential is limited by my lack of exercise. Only you know your fitness level. Fitness is important but unless you are fighting in high level competition I wouldn't worry too much. Pick up you fitness when you can.
5. I don't use the full advantage my height offers. Height and more importantly reach gives you natural advantage. I would suggest it will become more of an advantage as you progress.
6. I tend to put too much focus into striking when I should be grappling and locking. I'm not sure I would agree. You have the height advantage and a reach advantage. Why would you want to trade that for a situation that may give your opponent the advantage. Keek your distance, use your reach both with hands and feet until you get more proficient, then add the grappling skills.
7. Agility kills. Like Mr. Miyagi says, "you no be there." There are three things that will help here. Firstly keep light on your feet and glide, don't step. Secondly, keep your body relaxed. If you tense up and set your feet you will be stuck to the spot. Finally watch your partner's body language and you will soon learn to anticipate his movement. You can actually be moving into position as he starts to move. As you said, "you no be there".
:asian:
