How to focus my attention on the offense?

[Raiden]

I started training in san shou for one month. My style has developed pretty much on the defense, and, while I last longer then other beginners when sparring, I am not that aggressive. Any tips on how can I develop that more easily?

 

[drop bear]

Double dip your attacks. So go in get all punchy kicky. Go out and then re engage before he has a chance to reply.

 

[Tony Dismukes]

It kind of depends on why you are having trouble being aggressive.

Do you lack confidence in executing your basic attacks?
Are you psychologically uncomfortable with hitting another person?
Are you afraid of being countered?
Do you not know how to set up your attacks?

The solution will be different depending on what the root problem is.

 

[Raiden]

It kind of depends on why you are having trouble being aggressive.

Do you lack confidence in executing your basic attacks?
Are you psychologically uncomfortable with hitting another person?
Are you afraid of being countered?
Do you not know how to set up your attacks?

The solution will be different depending on what the root problem is.

I think it is because I am afraid of being countered or being hit while I am not guarding myself.

 

[Langenschwert]

One of the most important things is to have a plan before the match starts. You might say to yourself "I'm going to establish my jab and then see what he does if I do a cut kick to his leg. If he drops his hand to block it, I'll throw my cross".

Even just going in with something you want to work on is great, such as: "today is bob and weave day".

For you, it looks like you should tell yourself that today is "be first" day. That should suffice. Maybe next will be "be first, with combo xyz as my technique".

 

[Kung Fu Wang]

I would suggest from the mental point of view. You should brain wash yourself as:

- Offense is the best defense.
- I'm going to lead the fight and not you.
- I want to act like a tiger and eat you alive.
- You are the person who should worry about self-defense and not me.
- ...

 

[kravazon]

One of the most important things is to have a plan before the match starts. You might say to yourself "I'm going to establish my jab and then see what he does if I do a cut kick to his leg. If he drops his hand to block it, I'll throw my cross".

Even just going in with something you want to work on is great, such as: "today is bob and weave day".

For you, it looks like you should tell yourself that today is "be first" day. That should suffice. Maybe next will be "be first, with combo xyz as my technique".

How timely! My instructor was JUST talking about this idea on Monday. I'm new to sparring (began in the last 6 months). I noticed that all my technique went right out the window when I started sparring. It's a completely different ball game. I made/make all the best new kid mistakes. I looked like Bugs Bunny with my pinwheeling arms, feet locked in place, chin jutted out on a silver platter.

I realized I needed to fix all this and quickly. It started out with small, basic things. #1 was to keep my chin tucked. Then it was just move my feet. Now I'm working on my range. I have long arms and I often crowd myself on straight punches. It's hard though. I feel like I'm fighting myself more than my partner.

Thanks for your thoughts on this! Great advice!

 

[Langenschwert]

It's no big deal if your technique goes out the window when sparring, as it's to be expected when you're trying out something new. If you're a beginner, everything's new. Under pressure, fine motor control disappears, and we are left with approximately 40% of what we "know". The key is to eventually make that 40% more than every one else's 40%. If you can do that, you're golden.

 

[drop bear]

If you are new punch straight. Straight punches at a beginner level will beat hooks.

 

[Kung Fu Wang]

If you are new punch straight. Straight punches at a beginner level will beat hooks.

"1 step 3 punches" will be a good starting point. Also just punch to the head and head only.

 

[kravazon]

The key is to eventually make that 40% more than every one else's 40%. If you can do that, you're golden.

Ha! Nice. What an interesting way to put it. With every sparring session, I can feel myself making headway on that 40%. It's nice when improving a skill is super fun.

 

[Langenschwert]

Ha! Nice. What an interesting way to put it. With every sparring session, I can feel myself making headway on that 40%. It's nice when improving a skill is super fun.

It is, isn't it? At my last tournament I pulled off stuff that I don't often manage in sparring. Usually it's the other way around, but then I realized it was because our new training regimen gave our team a 40% that was way bigger than our opponent's 40%. It wasn't that my skill increased all that much, it was that the opposing schools had their capacity diminished to a much greater degree under pressure.